Overview
AI is changing how we learn, work, and prepare for the future. Today’s students are already experiencing these changes firsthand, putting them in a unique position to shape how AI is used in higher education today and for future generations of students.
In partnership with Cohere, The Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus and University of Toronto Entrepreneurship are bringing University of Toronto students together for a full-day hackathon focused on developing innovative, responsible applications of AI that support how students learn, engage with their education, and prepare for their future careers. We’re looking for human-centred solutions, where AI enhances human judgement, creativity, and connection.
Join a team, think of a challenge that matters to you, and collaborate alongside fellow students to build AI solutions that enhance the academic and career experiences for students, today and in the future.
Who This Is For
This is for University of Toronto students and postdocs who want to:
- Rethink how AI is changing the way students learn and prepare for their careers.
- Build with AI and explore new applications to turn ideas into working solutions.
- Shape responsible AI by developing effective ways to use AI in education.
- Explore how AI can shape the future of higher education for the next generation of students.
Review eligibility requirements below.
Eligibility Requirements
- University of Toronto graduate students currently enrolled in a graduate program during the Winter 2027 term.
- University of Toronto undergraduate students currently enrolled in their 3rd year of study or above, who are actively enrolled in classes during the Winter 2027 term.
- University of Toronto postdoctoral fellows currently employed during the Winter 2027 term.
- Students in computer science and engineering disciplines will be prioritized.
- Teams consist of 3-5 students, with at least 1 student proficient in coding. Students can submit an application on their own, or as part of a team of 3-5 students. Students who apply on their own will have an opportunity to join teams via Slack closer to the hackathon date.
All students are welcome to apply. However, students in computer science and engineering disciplines will be prioritized.
Hackathon Theme
How can AI be leveraged in higher education to enhance academic learning and strengthen career readiness?
Reflect on your own experience as a university student and the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
The theme is intentionally broad, giving you the freedom to explore challenges that matter to you. Whether you’re addressing the impact of AI on education or developing new ways to leverage its potential, the goal is to create innovative, responsible solutions that benefit students today and in the future.
What You’ll Experience
A full day of building, experimenting, and collaborating with support from Cohere’s technical team.
Phase 1: Define Your Challenge
Dive deeper into understanding the challenge your team has identified, brainstorm solutions, and explore how AI can be applied to address it effectively and responsibly.
Phase 2: Build & Experiment
Put your ideas into action by working with your team to develop and test your AI solution, while building alongside other University of Toronto student teams.
Phase 3: Get Technical
Connect directly with Cohere’s team throughout the day to ask questions and get technical guidance as you develop and refine your solution.
Phase 4: Pitch Your Solution
Have your team’s solution assessed by a panel of judges and compete for a chance to win one of three prizes.
Build With Cohere
Cohere has partnered with the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus and University of Toronto Entrepreneurship to give students the opportunity to explore, experience, and build with AI with a focus on responsible innovation and real-world application.
Throughout the hackathon, teams will have the opportunity to connect directly with Cohere’s team, access technical guidance, and explore AI tools that can bring their ideas to life.
Judging Criteria
Projects will be evaluated by a panel of judges from Cohere and the University of Toronto, bringing expertise in artificial intelligence, technology development, research, and innovation. Teams will be evaluated based on a set of criteria designed to assess the quality, relevance, and potential impact of their solutions.
Ivan Zhang – Co-Founder, Cohere
Ivan Zhang is a co-founder at Cohere, the world’s leading sovereign AI company. At Cohere, Ivan oversees key technical product development and is closely involved in the company’s public sector and government customers. Prior to co-founding Cohere alongside Aidan Gomez and Nick Frosst, Ivan founded for.ai (now Cohere Labs), Cohere’s research lab. Ivan also worked in biotech and MLOps space as a software engineer and studied at the University of Toronto.
Jim Banting – Assistant Vice-President, Innovations, Partnerships & Entrepreneurship, University of Toronto
James (Jim) Banting leads the University of Toronto’s Innovation, Partnership & Entrepreneurship Office (IPO). He oversees programs that connect researchers, industry partners, investors and entrepreneurs across the University and its partner networks. This mandate includes the advancement of strategic collaborations, support for research translation and commercialization, and the growth of U of T’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Jim brings experience from a senior role supporting academic innovation, research partnerships, and technology commercialization, alongside industry experience in the Canadian and U.S. biotech sectors spanning partnerships, licensing, and M&A. His work has supported the development of sector partnerships, the launch of new venture programs, and the expansion of industry engagement strategies. Most recently, he held a leadership position at Queen’s University that included oversight of partnerships, technology transfer, and high-performance computing. Additionally, he is an experienced entrepreneur having co-founded a life science university spin-off that was later acquired by a U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company. Jim holds a PhD in Pharmacology from Queen’s University. He has contributed to regional, provincial, and national initiatives focused on research partnerships, innovation strategy and emerging technology platforms.
Jose Manuel Lopez Lujan – Senior Manager, AI Strategy and Platforms, University of Toronto
Jose Lopez Lujan is the Senior Manager, AI Strategy and Platforms at the University of Toronto, where he leads the AI Engineering team and co-leads the AI Kitchen initiative within ITS Digital Transformation & AI. He oversees U of T’s enterprise AI platforms, including the AIK Platform powered by Cohere North, a self-hosted AI gateway, Claude for Education, ChatGPT Edu and GitHub Copilot. He is also the author of the AIK Model Comparison Tool.
Stay tuned for additional special guest judges to be announced soon!
Prizes
First Place: Cohere Nova
$3K cash prize (split evenly amongst team members), accelerated access to Cohere internship interviews for each team member, Cohere API Credits, Cohere Swag
Second Place: Cohere Catalyst
$2K cash prize (split evenly amongst team members), Cohere API Credits, Cohere Swag
Third Place: Cohere Spark
$1K cash prize (split evenly amongst team members), Cohere Swag
How This Works
Apply individually or as part of a team of 3–5 students.
If you already have a team, all team members must submit an individual application, and include the same team name so we know you plan to work together. You do not need to provide a list of team members.
If you do not have a team, you can apply individually and form a team with other participants later. Further instructions on team formation will be shared with accepted individuals during the week of January 25th, 2027.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants will be accepted until capacity is reached, after which eligible applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
Reminder: All students are welcome to express their interest and apply. However, students in computer science and engineering disciplines will be prioritized.
Once your application has been accepted, if you applied on your own, use our Slack channel (details to be provided) during the week of January 25th to assemble or join a team of 3-5 students. Make sure at least one team member is proficient in coding so you’re ready to turn your ideas into a working solution. Select one member to be the Team Lead.
If you applied as a team and your application has been accepted, you’re ready for Step 03.
Explore the hackathon theme, Hacking Higher Ed (see description above), and think about an opportunity or challenge your team wants to tackle. Think about your experiences as students, the opportunities AI presents, and how your solution could benefit students today and in the future.
If your team is accepted, it’s time to prepare. Explore your challenge, consider potential approaches, and arrive ready to collaborate, experiment, and build.
On January 30, bring your team and your ideas to the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus for a full day of building with AI, connecting with Cohere’s team, and developing your solution. Finish the day by pitching your work to a panel of judges for a chance to win.
Please also review the Eligibility Requirements (above) and Critical Dates & Steps (below) sections on this webpage for important information about application deadlines, acceptance notifications, and event details to ensure your team is prepared for each stage of the hackathon.
Critical Dates & Steps
| Date | Activity |
| Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | Application portal opens. Application Portal opens and remains open until Friday, January 22nd, 2027, at 5:00 PM. Applications can be submitted as an individual or as a team of 3-5 students by the Team Lead. |
| November 10, 2026 – January 25, 2027, 5:00 PM | Rolling acceptance notifications are sent to applicants. Eligible applicants will be approved on a rolling basis until capacity is reached, after which eligible applicants will be placed on a waitlist. All applicants will receive a decision by January 25th, 2027, at 5:00 PM. |
| Friday January 22nd, 2027, 5:00 PM | Last day to apply. |
| January 25-29, 2027 | If you applied on your own, use our Slack channel (details to be provided) to assemble or join a team of 3-5 students. Make sure at least one team member is proficient in coding. Select one member to be the Team Lead. |
| Saturday, January 30, 2027 | Hackathon Day Time: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM Location: Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus |
Submit Your Application
The last day to submit your application is January 22nd, 2027.
If you have any questions, please contact the SR Ecosystem Team at sric.ecosystem@utoronto.ca. Please note that emails will not be monitored over the holidays from December 24th, 2026 – January 6th, 2027.
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The University has entered an agreement with AcceleratorApp, Ltd., a third party service provider, to provide applications and event registration services through the AcceleratorApp platform. If you have questions about this platform, please contact AcceleratorApp by email at privacy@acceleratorapp.co. To find out more information about AcceleratorApp LTD. , including their privacy policy, please visit: https://www.acceleratorapp.co/en/legal/privacy/
Additionally, the University has entered into an agreement with Cohere Inc., a third party partner, to produce the Hacking Higher Ed Hackathon. If you have any questions about Cohere Inc., please contact them at privacy@cohere.com. To find out more information about Cohere Inc., including their privacy policy, please visit: https://cohere.com/privacy
As part of providing these services, Accelerator App, Ltd. and the University will collect your name, email address, information about your role at the institution with which you are affiliated, application information and details about your accessibility or dietary needs. This information is collected for the purposes of application and event registration and planning, and for improving the quality of our events and services. With your explicit consent through a checkbox on your application, some application information, not including your UTORID or Student Id, will be shared with Cohere Inc. for the purposes of improving the quality of this event and future engagement opportunities.
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