NICR is joining Rakathon as an academic and research partner. From 16 to 18 October, the event will bring together oncology, research, artificial intelligence and modern technologies in Prague, Brno and Ostrava.
Rakathon 2026 is a hackathon focused on tackling real-world challenges in oncology and healthcare using artificial intelligence and other technologies. During an intensive weekend in Prague, Brno and Ostrava, researchers, healthcare professionals, students, developers, data specialists, designers and other participants will work in multidisciplinary teams to explore new solutions and develop their first functional prototypes.
This year, the National Institute for Cancer Research (NICR) has joined Rakathon as one of its academic and research partners. NICR has prepared one of the challenges that teams will work on during the hackathon, while NICR Director Prof. Aleksi Šedo will serve on the expert jury for the national final, which will take place in Prague on Sunday, 18 October.
“Young people often bring fresh ideas and look at problems differently from those who have been working on them for many years. Bringing together different experiences and perspectives can therefore be extremely refreshing. Rakathon also connects students, researchers and healthcare professionals with data specialists, developers and technology innovators – people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet and work together. At NICR, we have long been committed to supporting young talent, and this kind of interdisciplinary environment gives them the space to develop their own ideas. At the same time, it can help accelerate the translation of cutting-edge cancer research into clinical practice or provide the foundation for new spin-off projects,” says Aleksi Šedo.
Rakathon is not just for programmers
You do not need to have your own team or programming experience to take part. Rakathon is also open to researchers, healthcare professionals, medical and science students, and others who can contribute their knowledge of cancer biology, medicine, patient needs or the day-to-day realities of healthcare. You can register individually or as a team of two to four members.
Ready to bring your expertise together with people from other fields and try to “hack” cancer? Registration is now open at rakathon.cz.
