Genome Biothon 2026
Turning Ideas into Bio-Innovations
Genome Biothon 2026 is a 36-hour intensive Hackathon that brings together students, researchers, and innovators under the theme “Biotechnology Innovation for Safe, Nutritious, and Sustainable Food Systems in Nepal.” The event serves as a dynamic platform to address real-world challenges in Nepal’s health, agriculture, environment, food, and research sectors. It fosters collaboration among creative minds, encouraging participants to develop practical, tech-driven, and sustainable solutions that respond to pressing biological and food system issues.
Biotechnology Society of Nepal
Established in 2007, BSN is a non-political, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing biotechnology in Nepal through scientific research, policy advocacy, academic-industry collaboration, capacity building, and international networking.
Since 2016, BSN has partnered with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), various universities, and international bodies including UNDP, WHO, USAID, UKAID, and The Asia Foundation.
Biotechnology Innovation for Safe, Nutritious, and Sustainable Food Systems in Nepal
Nepal faces major food system challenges, including food safety issues, malnutrition, post-harvest losses, climate change impacts, and crop diseases. Despite rich biodiversity and diverse agro-ecological resources, access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food remains difficult. Contamination and inadequate storage further affect food quality, public health, and agricultural productivity.
This theme encourages practical, low-cost, and scalable solutions to improve food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. Innovations may include microbial and molecular technologies, biofortification, and functional foods, as well as technology-driven approaches such as digital tools, smart processing systems, supply chain optimization, and food safety diagnostics.
Objectives & Outcomes
Foster Innovation
Create new biotech ideas improving food safety, nutrition, and sustainable production using biotechnology, bioinformatics, and molecular biology.
Real-World Challenges
Develop practical solutions to local food problems: contamination, malnutrition, crop diseases, post-harvest loss, and climate impacts on agriculture.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Unite participants from biotechnology, agriculture, food science, data science, engineering, and policy backgrounds to design innovative solutions.
Enhance Skills
Gain hands-on experience in problem-solving, prototype design, data analysis, and biotech innovation to turn scientific knowledge into real solutions.
Sustainable Solutions
Design simple, affordable, and scalable biotechnology solutions implementable in farms, food industries, and communities across Nepal.
SDG Alignment
Directly support SDGs 2, 3, 9, 11, 12, 13 & 17, from Zero Hunger to Climate Action and Partnerships for the Goals.
Who Can Participate
Teams of 3–4 members. Participants can be from any background or field of study.
Critical Challenge Areas
Rapid Diagnostics for Food Safety
Develop rapid biotechnology-based tools to quickly detect harmful contaminants in common foods like milk, spices, and honey in Nepal.
Biofortification of Traditional Crops
Enhance the nutritional value of crops such as buckwheat, millets, and medicinal aromatic plants using biotechnology and biofortification.
Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals
Design functional foods or nutraceutical products that improve nutrition and health for school children, pregnant women, and vulnerable communities.
Climate-Resilient High-Yield Agriculture
Develop biotechnology solutions for climate-resilient, disease-resistant, and high-yield crops suitable for Nepal’s diverse agro-ecological zones.
Biological Preservation & Post-Harvest Technology
Develop biological preservation and microbial technologies to extend shelf life and reduce post-harvest losses of perishable products.
Sustainable Eco-Friendly Bio-Inputs
Promote sustainable biotechnology-based agricultural inputs that increase food production while protecting the environment and biodiversity.
Event Flow
The Genome Biothon follows a structured multi-stage process designed to identify and accelerate the best innovations from Nepal’s brightest minds.
Application & Screening
Teams apply through the online registration form providing team details, background, and areas of interest. Applications close 16th April 2026.
Online Round
Shortlisted teams attend a virtual interaction round where they briefly present their interests or preliminary ideas to the selection panel.
Final Selection
Teams selected based on form review and online interaction. Selected participants receive confirmation and official Genome Biothon guidelines.
Physical Genome Biothon
The core event: a 36-hour day-and-night residential hackathon. All projects must be started and completed during this stage to ensure fairness and real-time innovation.
Final Presentation
Teams present completed projects to the judging panel through a pitch and live demonstration, followed by Q&A at the event stage or stall.
Evaluation & Closing
Judges evaluate submissions based on predefined criteria. Winners are announced and the event concludes with a closing ceremony celebrating all participants.
Judging Criteria
Creativity & Innovation
Measures originality and novelty of the proposed idea.
Functionality
Evaluates how well the solution performs its intended purpose.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Reflects teamwork across multiple fields and expertise.
Potential Impact
Assesses the significance and reach of the solution.
Technical Implementation
Looks at effectiveness and robustness of technical execution.
Usability & Need
Considers user-friendliness and relevance to real needs.
Presentation & Communication
Judges clarity, organization, and persuasive delivery.
Prizes & Incentives
Worth Prize(Cash & Gifts), Certificate of Achievement & Medal
Worth Prize(Cash & Gifts) ,Certificate of Excellence, Medal & Mentorship Opportunities
Worth Prize(Cash & Gifts) & Certificate of Participation
Participation Incentives for All Teams
- Certificate for all participating candidates
- Networking with judges, mentors & biotech leaders
- Potential collaboration opportunities
- Exposure to startup ecosystems & funding pathways
Event Guidelines
- Participants must register in teams within the permitted team size.
- Each participant may join only one team.
- Only registered participants are allowed to take part in Genome Biothon activities.
- All projects must be started and completed during the official Genome Biothon period.
- Pre-built or previously completed projects are not allowed.
- Prior learning, literature review, and skill preparation are permitted.
- All datasets, tools, and references must be properly cited.
- Participants must bring all necessary devices and materials (laptops, hardware, notebooks, design tools, etc.).
- Organizers are not responsible for providing specialized project equipment.
- Only safe, non-hazardous materials are allowed.
- No real wet-lab experimentation with biological agents is permitted on-site unless explicitly approved.
- Scientific honesty must be maintained at all times.
- Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
- All proposals must respect biosafety and bioethics principles.
- Human or animal-related work must remain conceptual unless prior approvals exist.
- Submissions must come from the participants and show their creativity and effort.
- Work must not violate the copyrights, patents, trademarks, or privacy of any third party.
- Outside support for design,development or execution is not allowed.
- Teams confirm their submission is free from disputes; organizers are not liable.
- Participants retain full ownership of their work and grant the organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, reproduce, modify, and share the submission.
- Respectful and professional behavior is expected at all times.
- Harassment, discrimination, or misconduct will result in disqualification.
- Collaboration is encouraged but copying others’ work is not allowed.
- Participants must remain within permitted Genome Biothon areas at all times.
- Leaving the designated venue without authorization is prohibited.
- For overnight formats, participants are expected to stay for the full duration.
- Participants must follow all venue safety rules.
- Food wastage should be avoided.
- Dietary restrictions or allergies should be informed in advance.
- Workspaces must be kept clean and organized.
- Trash must be disposed of in designated bins.
- Participants must respect shared facilities and others’ comfort.
- All deliverables must be submitted before the deadline.
- Submissions must follow the required format.
- Judges’ decisions are final and binding.
- The Organizing Committee holds full authority to enforce all rules.
- The organizing team has full authority to interpret and enforce the rules of the competition.
- They may disqualify any team or participant found violating the guidelines.
- The organizers reserve the right to modify schedules, rules, or formats if necessary.
- All decisions made by the organizing team are final and binding.
Accepted Submission Formats
Participants may submit across multiple formats. Cross-category entries are actively encouraged and reflect holistic, real-world applicability.
Code-Based Projects / Software Solution
Digital or computational projects leveraging programming, AI, or data analytics to address biotech problems. Teams may submit software tools, computational pipelines, predictive models, simulations, dashboards, or analytical platforms.
Research Proposal / Scientific Report
Structured, hypothesis-driven research based on existing literature. Clearly state the research question, summarize key background, outline methods, and note expected results and impact.
Conceptual, Algorithmic & Computational Innovations
Theory-driven or computational work with solid scientific foundations, including new algorithms, models, simulations, or integrative frameworks for challenges in the theme.
Experimental / Laboratory Frameworks
Designs for wet-lab or field-based experiments demonstrating scientific feasibility. Include detailed experimental protocols, methodological frameworks, and expected outcomes.
Prototype / Product Development
Tangible or near-market solutions demonstrating practical application. Showcase applied innovation, real-world feasibility, and potential translational or commercial impact.
Policy, Ethics & Implementation Frameworks
Solutions addressing regulatory, ethical, governance, or societal aspects. Present structured frameworks, policy proposals, ethical analyses, or implementation strategies.
Integrated / Cross-Format Submissions
Participants are encouraged to combine two or more formats, such as a computational model paired with a lab experiment, or a prototype combined with a policy framework. Integrated submissions reflect holistic, real-world applicability and interdisciplinary approaches to solving biotechnology challenges.
Register for Genome Biothon
Application Deadline
16th April 2026
Team Size
3–4 members per team
Registration Fee
NRs 2,500 (after selection only)
Registration Process
Complete the online form with team member details and your brief project idea.
Applications reviewed by the organizing committee. Shortlisted teams invited to the online round.
Selected teams pay the NRs 2,500 registration fee and receive confirmation with event guidelines.
Sponsors
Genome Biothon 2026 is made possible with the support of our partners. We are actively seeking organizations aligned with our mission to advance biotechnology innovation in Nepal.
Sponsors to Be Announced
We are actively partnering with organizations aligned with our mission. Sponsor announcements will be made in the lead-up to the event. Check back soon!
Become a SponsorWhy Sponsor Genome Biothon 2026?
Direct Talent Access
Connect with Nepal’s brightest students, researchers, and early-career biotech innovators in a hands-on setting.
Brand Visibility
Feature prominently on all event materials, social media, website, and press releases reaching thousands.
Impact Investment
Directly contribute to building Nepal’s biotechnology ecosystem and future scientific workforce.
Partnership Network
Build lasting relationships with BSN, participating universities, and the broader biotech community in Nepal.
Interested in partnering with Genome Biothon 2026?
Become a SponsorFrequently Asked Questions
Genome Biothon 2026 is open to undergraduate and graduate students, early-career researchers, and young innovators and entrepreneurs. Interdisciplinary teams are highly encouraged. Participants can be from any background or field of study. There is no restriction on academic discipline.
Teams must consist of 3 to 4 members. Each participant may join only one team. Interdisciplinary teams are highly encouraged. You can have members from biotechnology, business, computer science, agriculture or other fields.
No. There is no fee to submit an application. The registration fee of NRs 2,500 per team is only required after your team is shortlisted and selected for the Physical Genome Biothon stage. Payment instructions will be shared with selected teams.
All teams must submit their registration form before 16th April 2026.
No. All projects must be started and completed during the official 36-hour Genome Biothon period. Pre-built or previously completed projects are not allowed. However, prior learning, literature review, and skill preparation are fully permitted.
Teams can submit across six formats: Code-Based Software Solutions, Research Proposals/Scientific Reports, Conceptual/Algorithmic Innovations, Experimental/Laboratory Frameworks, Prototype/Product Development, and Policy/Ethics/Implementation Frameworks. Cross-format entries combining two or more of these are encouraged.
As a residential hackathon, accommodation and meals will be arranged for selected participants. Please inform the organizers of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance. Participants are expected to stay for the full 36-hour duration at the designated venue.
For queries, reach out to the event team:
- Samana Khadka (Event Lead): khadkasamana07@gmail.com
- Prarabda Singh Mahat (Event Management): Prarabda.mahat@gmail.com · 9813502496
- Nabin Munankarmi (BSN President): nabin2045@gmail.com · 9841585197
Still have questions?
Reach out to our team. We are happy to help.
bioson01@gmail.com · info@bsn.org.np