Why HackUMass?

HackUMass is the perfect place for students of all backgrounds and experience levels to dive into the world of technology. As a beginner-friendly hackathon, we provide hands-on workshops and dedicated mentorship to teach you the skills you need to apply technology in your field. Over the course of 36 hours, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with like-minded students from across the country, build an exciting project with our support, and compete for amazing prizes. Beyond the competition, HackUMass is also an incredible opportunity to network with industry professionals, gain real-world experience, and join a vibrant community of innovators who share your passion for learning and creating.

HackUMass participants sharing their projects beside their laptops — Creative Hackers
Participants from diverse backgrounds gather at one of the largest hackathons in New England, creating new connections while exchanging ideas and skills

Food and dining at HackUMass — #1 Dining
Enjoy the #1 Best Campus Food in the country by the Princeton Review for five years in a row. With four main dining halls and tons of on-campus eateries and cafes

Hardware available for building HackUMass projects — Extensive Hardware
From Arduinos and Raspberry Pis to quadcopters and Oculus Rifts, HackUMass provides an extensive selection of hardware and toolkits to help you bring your wildest ideas to life

Sponsors connecting with the HackUMass community — Generous Sponsors
Connect with sponsors from a diverse range of companies to learn about internship opportunities, enjoy free swag, and participate in their engaging talks and workshops

The HackUMass event venue at UMass Amherst — Incredible Venue
Work on your projects in the $93 million, 173,000-square-foot Integrative Learning Center (ILC), which provides state-of-the-art education and technology facilities, along with spaces to rest, socialize, and more.

Schedule — HackUMass XIII (2025)

Our schedule for this year's HackUMass is not yet published. Explore last year's schedule from November 7–9, 2025 below. All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Friday, November 7

6:30 PM Participant Check-In Campus Center Auditorium
7:30 PM Opening Ceremony Campus Center Auditorium
8:30 PM Hacking Begins
9:30 PM Hardware Table Opens
9:30 PM Workshop: Unlock AI ILC S140
9:30 PM Workshop: Team Building ILC S120
10:45 PM Workshop: Intro to Git ILC N151
10:45 PM Workshop: Using AWS at Hackathons ILC S140
10:45 PM Workshop: AI Safety And Ethics ILC S120

Saturday, November 8

8:00 AM Breakfast ILC Main Atrium
10:00 AM Workshop: Agent Building using campusGenAI ILC S120
10:00 AM Workshop: Building Your First WebApp on AWS ILC N151
11:15 AM Workshop: Intro to CAD - Simple Rocket Booster Section ILC S140
11:15 AM Workshop: PIT 101 ILC S120
12:15 PM Lunch ILC Main Atrium
1:00 PM Workshop: NFC Keychain ILC S140
1:00 PM Workshop: AWS Bedrock ILC S120
1:00 PM Workshop: Intro to Distributed Systems ILC N151
2:00 PM Sponsor Fair ILC Main Atrium
2:15 PM Workshop: Diversity Expo ILC S140
2:15 PM Workshop: AWS Bedrock ILC S120
2:15 PM Workshop: Intro to 3D Printing ILC N151
3:30 PM Workshop: Hacking With Github Copilot ILC S140
3:30 PM Workshop: From APIs to Agents: How to Build AI Systems ILC N151
4:00 PM AWS Coffee Chats ILC Main Atrium
4:45 PM Workshop: Experiment with Google AI Studio ILC S140
4:45 PM Workshop: Design Thinking ILC S120
4:45 PM Workshop: Intro to Cybersecurity Careers ILC N151
6:00 PM Dinner ILC Main Atrium
7:00 PM Workshop: Intro to Web: SQL Injections ILC S140
7:00 PM Workshop: Real-time gestures with Google's MediaPipe ILC N151
8:15 PM Workshop: How to Mod Minecraft ILC S140
8:15 PM Workshop: GWC Career Development ILC N151
9:30 PM Workshop: Intro to Arduino ILC S140
11:00 PM Insomnia Cookies

Sunday, November 9

12:00 AM Initial Submission Deadline
9:00 AM Breakfast ILC Main Atrium
10:00 AM Project Final Submission Deadline
12:30 PM Judging
3:00 PM Project Deliberation
5:00 PM Closing Ceremony

Our Sponsors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hackathon?

A hackathon is a competitive sprint where people come together to collaborate and build innovative software and hardware projects to win prizes. However, students also have the option to participate in other activities instead of submitting a project.

Where is HackUMass XIV?

HackUMass XIV is an in-person hackathon on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus, with the main venue located at the Integrative Learning Center (650 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01003).

Who can attend?

HackUMass XIV is open to ALL college students, including graduate students, regardless of major!

Will my travel be reimbursed?

If you apply by the early application deadline, you have the opportunity to apply for travel reimbursement. Early applications are now closed, but we invite you to attend HackUMass if you are able to support your own travel to Amherst, MA.

Do I have to work on a project?

No, participants are welcome to attend workshops, the club/sponsor fair, and network with sponsors or other students without submitting a final project! For final project submissions, the project does NOT need to be fully finished.

Do I need experience?

We welcome students of all experience levels to participate in HackUMass! Participants will find a variety of workshops ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced, mentors, and plenty of resources to help everyone learn something new.

Should I be in a team?

We encourage participants to form a team of four (or fewer). While teams with more than four members are allowed, prizes for each member are not guaranteed beyond that size. There will be opportunities to form teams prior to the event via our event Discord server, but there will also be a team-forming event following the opening ceremony on day 1 of the event.

Can I start my project before the event?

No, participants are required to start their projects after the opening ceremony and hacking formally begins. If a project is created or edited beforehand, it will result in disqualification.

Do I have to stay for 36 hours?

No, participants are encouraged to take breaks and rest throughout the event. However, teams submitting a final project must have at least one member present during the judging process on the last day.

Is there a Code of Conduct?

We are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone at HackUMass. Therefore, all attendees are expected to follow the MLH Code of Conduct and abide by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Code of Student Conduct.

Will photographs and videos be taken during the hackathon?

Yes. HackUMass will take photos, audio, and video throughout the event. By participating in the event, you consent to the use of your image or voice in HackUMass materials, including on our website, social media, and other promotional or educational content. By participating in HackUMass, you are consenting to the use of your likeness and agree to release, defend, hold harmless, and indemnify HackUMass from any and all claims involving the use of your picture or likeness. If you prefer not to appear in photos or recordings, please email us at [email protected]