AIDA Impact Challenge 2026 brings together students, researchers, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to advance AI through research and innovation. Through dedicated research and innovation pathways, participants explore emerging ideas, tackle real-world challenges, and create technology that empowers every ability.
By combining cutting-edge research, bold innovation, and real-world impact, AIDA aims to transform barriers into possibilities and reimagining a future where technology doesn't compensate for difference, it celebrates it. Pick the challenge that matches your interests and submit before the deadline.
⌛Registration Ends: October 16, 2026
📅 Hackathon Date: December 17 – 19, 2026
🗺️ Hackathon Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
💡 Theme: AI Without Barriers: Redefining What’s Possible for Every Ability
Research Challenge
🎟️ Cost: Rs 1,500 per team
👥 Team Size: Exactly 2 researchers per team
Innovation Challenge
🎫 Cost: Rs 5,000 per team
👥 Team Size: 3–4 members per team
⚠️Note:
• Initial registration is free. The fee only applies after selection.
• The fee will cover your mentoring sessions, fooding and lodging at the residential grand finale.
• If a team includes a member with a disability, the team does not have to pay the post-selection fee.
• Additionally, all-girls teams are eligible for a 50% scholarship.
Prizes & Awards
🏆 Research Challenge:
- Research Winner: NPR 15,000
🏆 Innovation Challenge:
- Hackathon Winner: NPR 30,000
- Best Innovative Product: NPR 15,000
• October 16: Application Closes
• November 6: Semifinal Team Announcement
• November 17 – 28: Orientation and Workshops
• November 29 – December 4: Expert Consultation
• December 5 – 6: Ideathon
• December 9: Final Team Announcement (Finalists are selected to compete at the hackathon in Kathmandu)
• December 10 – 16: KTM Travel Interval (Travel and accommodation details are shared with finalists)
• December 17 – 19: Hackathon, Closing Ceremony & Musical Night
👥 Eligibility
• Adult individuals (strictly 18 years or older)
• National and International Undergraduate Individuals
• Special priorities given to teams consisting of at least one member with a disability
Investigate real-world accessibility challenges, propose innovative methodologies, and contribute to advancing AI through impactful research.
Sign Language Translation
From Signs to Meaningful Communication: Develop AI approaches that transform Nepali Sign Language (NSL) sequences into text or audio representations, enabling more accessible communication between sign language users and digital platforms.
Sign Recognition & Word Understanding
Recognizing Signs, Understanding Words: Develop AI models that identify and interpret individual Nepali Sign Language (NSL) words and signs, creating the foundation for real-time sign-to-text and sign-to-audio accessibility tools.
Initial Selection: 12 participants (6 teams) are selected to advance.
Final Selection: 6 participants (3 teams) are selected for the final stage at AIDA 2026.
✦ Research Excellence & Recognition: Showcase your work on a national platform with AI and accessibility leaders.
✦ Expert Mentorship & Collaboration: Collaborate with researchers and domain experts to strengthen your work.
✦ Research Publication Support: Get guidance to refine, present, and publish your research in potential conferences, journals, and international publication opportunities.
✦ Future Research & Innovation Pathways: Connect with the AIDA community, startups, and research networks.
Design and develop AI-powered solutions that improve accessibility, independence, and quality of life, with a clear path from application to the grand finale.
Communication & Expression
Breaking Barriers Through Inclusive Communication: Build AI solutions that improve communication, expression, and information access for people with different abilities.
Inclusive Education & Learning
Making Learning Accessible for Everyone: Create AI-powered learning solutions that make education more inclusive, personalized, and accessible.
Financial Independence & Opportunity
Enabling Equal Participation Through Technology: Develop AI solutions that promote employment, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and independence for people with disabilities.
Initial Selection: 5 teams from each theme (15 teams total) selected for the Hackathon semifinals.
Final Selection: 6 teams total advance to participate in the AIDA 2026 final stage.
✦ Innovation Recognition: Showcase your solution on a national platform with AI experts, industry leaders, and accessibility communities.
✦ Expert Mentorship & Collaboration: Work with AI professionals, accessibility advocates, and domain experts to refine your solution.
✦ AIDA Incubation & Investment: Following the Grand Finale, AIDA will provide successful projects with direct financial backing and incubation services to help further develop and scale their solutions.
✦ Future Innovation Pathways: Join the AIDA ecosystem and continue building inclusive technologies with researchers, innovators, and partners.
• Expert mentorship from AI professionals, researchers and accessibility advocates
• Design and innovation guidance through workshops
• Access to real-world accessibility challenges and community insights
• Nepali Sign Language (NSL) datasets and research resources
• Defined evaluation metrics, baseline models and testing guidelines
• A platform to showcase solutions to industry experts, investors, academics and partners
