The EUDIS Defence Hackathon Spring 2026 will take place simultaneously in eight European countries, including Norway. The hackathon addresses pressing defence challenges and aims to strengthen Europe's defence innovation ecosystem — including cooperation with Ukraine. In Norway, the event is hosted by NORDSEC (Nordic Defence and Security Cluster).
⚠️ Please note: NUCC is not responsible for registration or event administration. All participants must register directly via the official hackathon platform.
📍 Norway Edition
Hosting organisation: NORDSEC
City: Trondheim
Venue: Norwegian University of Science and Technology – "Gruva"
Trondheim, Norway's technology capital, provides a strong innovation ecosystem and close collaboration with academic and defence stakeholders. This will be the only EUDIS Defence Hackathon in the Nordic region during the Spring 2026 edition.
Participants from Norway, the wider Nordic region (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), EU Member States, and Ukraine are encouraged to apply.
🗓 Key Dates – Spring 2026
- Registration & Matchmaking Opens: 16 February 2026
- Pre-hackathon Webinar: 3 March 2026
- Registration Deadline: 20 March 2026
- Hackathon Weekend: 26–28 March 2026 (on-site only)
- Mentorship Programme Starts: 8 April 2026
- EU-wide Live Pitching: June 2026
🎯 Focus Theme: Defending Airspace
The Spring 2026 edition focuses on strengthening European airspace protection and counter-drone capabilities.
Three Challenge Categories
1.Cost-Effective Drone Interceptors
Affordable and efficient interceptor technologies to counter hostile drones.
2.Next Generation Drone Detection Systems
Scalable early-warning and detection systems capable of operating in complex environments and during large multi-direction attacks.
3.Future Drone Capabilities
Exploring emerging drone functionalities, including GNSS-independent systems, low-observable technologies, and multi-domain adaptability.
🏆 Local Prizes (Norway)
- 🥇 1st Prize – EUR 6,000
- 🥈 2nd Prize – EUR 3,000
- 🥉 3rd Prize – EUR 1,500
In addition, the eight national winners gain access to a 40-hour mentorship programme over two months and the opportunity to pitch in front of EU Member State representatives. The top three EU-wide winners will attend an international high-tech event to present their solutions.
👥 Who Can Participate?
This is an on-site only hackathon (26–28 March 2026).
Eligibility criteria:
- 18+ years old
- Citizen and resident of an EU Member State, Norway, or Ukraine
- Participation on-site for the full weekend
- Team participation (minimum 2 members)
ID verification will take place at the venue.
Who Should Apply?
The hackathon is particularly aimed at teams with:
- An MVP, prototype, or validated concept
- Readiness to adapt solutions for defence applications
- Interest in stress-testing value propositions with defence stakeholders
- Ambition to build strategic partnerships in the European defence ecosystem
Individual participants may apply but must join a team before the hackathon begins.
🔗 Registration
To participate, applicants must register via the official link.
➡️ Learn more and register here
⚠️ NUCC does not manage registrations. All questions regarding participation, eligibility, and logistics must be directed to the organisers via the official platform.
Organiser & Partners
The Norwegian edition is organised by:
- NORDSEC (Host organisation)
The hackathon is part of the broader EUDIS initiative involving EU Member States and Norway.
Other mentors, partners and sponsors: see the official event page.
