Your idea could be the beginning of something bigger, and help shape the future of cancer care.
The Novartis Oncology Hackathon connects talent with healthcare experts and innovation leaders to develop actionable solutions in breast and prostate cancer care.
Why participate
Join the Novartis Oncology Hackathon and step into the world of healthcare innovation at the Novartis campus.Connect with Novartis leaders and experts, discover career paths in healthcare innovation, collaborate with students from diverse backgrounds and create solutions for real healthcare challenges.By joining the Novartis Oncology Hackathon, you will:
Experience innovation from inside Novartis
Travel to Basel and spend a day at the Novartis Campus, discovering how a global healthcare company works to transform science into solutions.
Work on challenges that matter
Develop ideas addressing real healthcare challenges and contribute to improving cancer outcomes in breast and prostate cancer.
Turn your idea into action
Learn how to transform an initial concept into a structured initiative through innovation methodologies, prototyping and experimentation.
Learn from experts
Receive guidance from mentors with experience in healthcare, innovation, business strategy, digital transformation and AI.
Build your international network
Collaborate with talented postgraduate students from different institutions and connect with innovation leaders from Novartis.
Gain visibility
Present your ideas to Novartis leaders and professionals from different areas of the organization.
Discover the power of AI for innovation
Use AI tools to accelerate ideation, prototype solutions and communicate your ideas more effectively.
Challenges
Breast cancer
Close the Screening Gap
How can we increase breast cancer screening adherence?
Breast cancer screening is one of the most effective tools for early detection, yet millions of eligible patients do not participate in regular screening programs. Design a solution that helps close this gap.
Prostate cancer
Accelerate the Referral Pathways
How can we optimize patient referral pathways in RLT for prostate cancer?
Radioligand Therapy represents an innovative approach in metastatic prostate cancer treatment, yet many eligible patients face significant delays in accessing it. Rethink how the referral journey can be accelerated to improve patient outcomes.
The program
The hackathon will guide you through a complete innovation journey: understanding the challenge, shaping your solution, building your prototype and presenting your vision.
step 01
Idea submission
Have an idea? Turn it into a solution.
Submit your proposal through the online form and take the first step toward creating an impact in cancer care.
To participate, you must apply as a team of 3-5 postgraduate students or recent graduates from the participating institutions. The team leader will be responsible for submitting the idea and providing the details of all team members.
Remember: your idea does not need to be perfect. The hackathon is designed to help you refine, develop and transform your initial concept into a meaningful solution.
step 01
Idea submission
Have an idea? Turn it into a solution.
14 September - 23 October 2026
Submit your proposal through the online form and take the first step towards creating an impact in cancer care.
To participate, you must apply as a team of 3 - 5 postgraduate students or recent graduates from the participating institutions. The team leader will be responsible for submitting the idea and providing the details of all team members.
Remember: your idea does not need to be perfect. The hackathon is designed to help you refine, develop and transform your initial concept into a meaningful solution.
Selection criteria
Ideas will be evaluated according to:
Alignment with the challenges
How well your solution addresses the challenges and sub-challenges and responds to the underlying need.
Potential impact
The expected positive impact of your solution on patients, healthcare professionals, the healthcare system and Novartis.
Feasibility
Whether your solution is realistic to implement, considering current healthcare settings, resources, and stakeholders.
Innovation & differentiation
How original and distinctive your idea is compared with existing approaches, and how effectively you leverage innovative technologies (such as AI) to create a new perspective, solution or impact.
Ready to participate?
Submission is open from 14 September to 23 October 2026.
Partners
Q&A
Can't find what you're looking for? Write to info.oncohackathon@lspraxis.com.
Students currently enrolled in Master’s, MBA, MSc, MA, PhD or equivalent programs, as well as recent graduates who have not yet commenced full-time employment, from the invited institutions. All academic backgrounds are welcome, a technical profile is not required. We encourage applications from diverse fields and perspectives, as innovation in healthcare requires multidisciplinary collaboration.
You are welcome to submit your idea individually. However, participation in the Hackathon itself will be in teams of 3 to 5 people. If your idea is selected and you do not yet have a team, we will be happy to help you connect with other registered participants so you can form one.
Yes. Teams can include participants from different partner institutions.
Yes. You are welcome to submit as many ideas as you wish, including ideas for both challenge statements.
If you are submitting multiple ideas as part of a team, we recommend that each idea has a different team leader to ensure each project receives the appropriate focus and representation.
The hackathon is a one-day intensive experience, running approximately from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Depending on where you are traveling from, your outbound journey may be arranged for the day before the event, and your return journey for the day after. Eligible travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the organizers.
Once you submit your idea, you give Novartis permission to use, adapt, develop, publish, or commercialize the materials you submitted, worldwide and without any additional approval, credit, or payment to you.
This permission only applies to the materials submitted to the Hackathon. It does not cover any work you develop independently after the Hackathon. Please note that Novartis is not required to develop, implement, or commercialize any submitted idea.
The program includes:
Participants are responsible for any additional hotel charges, local transportation (such as taxis), and other personal expenses.
The official language of the hackathon is English. All workshops, mentoring sessions, presentations, and team discussions will be conducted in English.
For this reason, participants should be comfortable communicating and collaborating in English throughout the event.
If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the organizing team by emailing info.oncohackathon@lspraxis.com.
GET INSPIRED
Explore projects, ideas and stories from the innovation ecosystem. Discover how simple ideas have become solutions creating meaningful impact.
