Genome Biothon 2026 is a 36-hour intensive biotechnology hackathon that brings together students, researchers and innovators under the theme “Biotechnology Innovation for Safe, Nutritious and Sustainable Food Systems in Nepal”, organized by the Biotechnology Society of Nepal.The event serves as a dynamic platform to address real-world challenges across Nepal’s health, agriculture, environment, food and research sectors. It fosters collaboration among diverse and creative minds, empowering participants to design practical, technology-driven and sustainable solutions to pressing biological and food system issues. By bridging innovation with real-world needs, the event encourages ideas that can create meaningful and lasting impact.Participants may submit code-based projects, research proposals, experimental frameworks, conceptual innovations, prototypes and policy solutions, with cross-category entries promoting interdisciplinary innovation. The program integrates online screening, interviews and an intensive residential day-and-night Genome Biothon supported by mentorship and engagement sessions.Event Details📅 Online Round: 2nd week of April 2026📅 Physical Event: April 25 – April 27, 2026🏆 Prize Pool:NRs 2 Lakh+ Worth (Cash, gifts and all)Challenge AreasDesign and develop innovative, practical, and scalable solutions that improve food safety, enhance nutritional value, and promote sustainability across the food system in Nepal.Rapid Diagnostics for Food Safety: Develop rapid, affordable tools to detect contaminants and adulterants in foods such as milk, spices, grains, and honey, enabling real-time quality assurance across markets and supply chains.Biofortification of Traditional Crops: Enhance the nutritional profile of staple and indigenous crops like millets, buckwheat, and legumes to address micronutrient deficiencies and improve public health outcomes.Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals: Design nutrient-rich, affordable functional foods and nutraceutical products tailored for school children, pregnant women, and vulnerable populations.Shelf Life & Storage Innovation: Design low-cost, scalable storage systems—including cold storage and non-electric solutions—to minimize spoilage and maintain food quality from farm to market.Food Supply Chain & Logistics Optimization: Improve efficiency, transparency, and connectivity in food supply chains through digital platforms, aggregation systems, and optimized transportation networks.Climate-Resilient High-Yield Agriculture: Develop solutions for drought-, flood-, and disease-resistant crops and farming systems suited to Nepal’s diverse agro-ecological regions.Biological Preservation & Post-Harvest Technology: Create innovative preservation techniques and storage solutions to extend shelf life and reduce post-harvest losses of perishable foods.Sustainable Eco-Friendly Bio-Inputs: Promote environmentally friendly agricultural inputs such as biofertilizers and biopesticides to improve soil health and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.Market Access & Price Transparency: Develop systems that provide farmers with real-time market information, fair pricing mechanisms, and direct access to buyers.Food Processing & Value Addition: Enable local processing, packaging, and branding of agricultural products to increase value, reduce waste, and create income opportunities.Food Waste Management & Circular Economy: Design solutions to reduce food waste and convert it into valuable resources such as compost, animal feed, or energy.Nutrition Awareness & Behavior Change: Promote healthy eating habits and dietary diversity through education, digital tools, and community-based interventions.