Did you know that more than a billion people worldwide are at risk of contracting neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)? These infections, left untreated, can lead to disability (including blindness and elephantiasis), stigma, and even death. Help us fight the battle to end NTDs (And win $500 for yourself, too)!

How? Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in addressing a real public health challenge facing NTD programs? Join us for a virtual hackathon event!

Teams of four will compete to win $2,000 and the opportunity to showcase their work in a virtual booth at the “Innovation Lab” trade show during the annual meeting of the Coalition for Operational Research on Neglected Tropical Diseases (COR-NTD), a global meeting of  researchers, program implementers and their in-country partners with the shared goal of optimizing NTD control and elimination.

Topic

While NTD programs are reaching large numbers of people, they aren’t perfect. For example, NTDs are preventable and treatable, but oftentimes people are unwilling to accept treatment due to disturbing rumors or misinformation they have heard. The Task Force for Global Health is hosting a virtual hackathon, “Spread Truth, Not Disease,” on April 17 to solve this global health communication challenge that countries face today.

Timeline

APRIL 11  – KICKOFF

Webinar, 1 -2 p.m. EST

• • A welcome presentation from an in-country program director who has had this particular issue while trying to eliminate an NTD
  • Additional speaker(s) to explain the challenge

Hackathon information packet email sent to participants

APRIL 17 – WORK DAY

Introduction webinar 9-9:15 a.m. EST
Breakout room that you can use to communicate with your team.

• • You will be provided with contact information for an NTD advisor for your team.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE 12:00 a.m. EST

APRIL 18 – MINI PRESENTATION AND JUDGING

Project Presentation

• • Each team will be assigned a time to present their findings to our expert judges.
  • Presentations should be 3-4 minutes in length in any format.

Judging will take place and winners will be announced on the web site and via email.

Eligibility

Graduate and undergraduate students (of any background–communications, business, public health, etc.) may sign up. Interested participants must be willing to attend 1-hour events on April 11, 17 and 18, and to participate in teamwork to solve the challenge between April 12 and 17.

Registration

Students may either register in teams (up to 4 individuals representing 2 or more schools/departments) or as individuals and will be assigned to a team. Registration will begin March 1, but you you can also subscribe to our hackathon newsletter now at bit.ly/NTDHack to receive communications.

FAQ

Do I need to find my own teammates?

You can sign up with teammates or you can sign up individually and be placed into a team.

How many teams will there be?

A maximum of 25 teams, first come first served

Who can sign up?

Undergrad and graduate students who can compete during Eastern Standard Time hours.

How much does each winning team member receive? 

$2000 for the team; $500 each