CISPA, one of Europe’s leading research centers in cybersecurity and AI, is launching this initiative to strengthen Europe’s position as a global hub for digital excellence. This bold initiative invests in the next generation of researchers by promoting cybersecurity skills, fostering interest in AI, and raising awareness of the need for trustworthy technologies. Through a Europe-wide series of regional competitions in France, Austria, Sweden, Spain, and Poland, the Championship brings together young talent from across the continent to develop the skills and capacities needed to address our grand challenges in cybersecurity and AI. By inspiring collaboration and innovation, CISPA is helping to create Europe’s future AI workforce and laying the foundation for a secure digital future.
Looking for Talents Across Europe
Interested in Cybersecurity, AI and hacking? Then get ready for the first “CISPA European Cybersecurity & AI Hackathon Championship”. We are looking forward to meet the next generation of young talents in Cybersecurity and AI. The registration for all locations is already open. We kick off in Paris in November, moving round Europe over the following 6 months. You can find more information under the ‘Registration’ section below. You can find more information under the ‘Registration’ section below. Please note that this registration is a 2-stage process – once you complete the first basic stage, the second form requesting further detailed information will be sent to you.
The CISPA European Cybersecurity & AI Hackathon Championship is your chance to be part of that future. Through regional hackathons across Europe, we’re bringing together the brightest students to solve hands-on challenges at the cutting edge of AI and cybersecurity. Each event builds up to a high-stakes Grand Finale at CISPA’s home St. Ingbert, Germany, where the top teams will compete for prizes—and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class researchers.
This isn’t just a competition. It’s a launchpad for your career in research and a movement to build a pan-European community of scientists fluent in both cybersecurity and AI. Whether you’re driven by curiosity, innovation, or the desire to make real impact—this is your moment to lead.
Join us and help shape a secure digital Europe.
How the Championship Works
The CISPA European Cybersecurity & AI Hackathon Championship kicks off with six regional rounds hosted in major cities across Europe. Each regional event is a 24-hour weekend hackathon, bringing together up to 200 Bachelor’s and Master’s students as well as doctoral candidates ready to take on cutting-edge challenges.
- Team up in groups of three or four. (Don’t have a team yet? Don’t worry! Send us an email and we will help you find one!)
- Solve three tasks at the intersection of cybersecurity and AI
- Impress the jury with your ideas and technical skills
After 24 hours of intense coding and collaboration, the top-ranked teams will pitch their solutions to a jury of experts. The winning teams from each region will earn a spot in the Grand Finale at CISPA’s home in St. Ingbert, Germany—with travel and accommodation fully covered.
Prizes for Regional Rounds
- 1st place – certificate per person plus entry into the final, including travel and accommodation
- 2nd place – certificate per person plus entry into the final, including travel and accommodation
- 3rd place – certificate per person plus entry into the final, including travel and accommodation
- runner-up – certificate per person
Grand Finale Prizes
- 1st place – cash prize of 4000€ per team, certificate per person and trophies
- 2nd place – cash prize of 2000€ per team, plus certificate per person
- 3rd place – cash prize of 1200€ per team, plus certificate per person
- Runner-up prizes – cash prize of 400€ per team, plus certificate per person
Regional Venues and Dates
- Paris, France – 22-23 November 2025
- Vienna, Austria – 13-14 December 2025
- Stockholm, Sweden – 14-15 February 2026
- Munich, Germany – 21-22 March 2026
- Barcelona, Spain – 11-12 April 2026
- Warsaw, Poland – 9-10 May 2026
Registration
Ready to take on the challenge? Register now here.
Organizers
- Adam Dziedzic, CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security
- Franziska Boenisch, CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security
Get in touch with us
If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at hackathon.championship@cispa.de.