Registration

Registration for the EarthCODE Hackathon 2026 is now open. Register here!

Information for applicants

The EarthCODE Hackathon will be held from November 30 to December 4, 2026 at ESA ESRIN, Frascati, Italy. The event will provide an opportunity to bring the communities who are using EarthCODE tools and services as close as possible to the people who are building them.

We welcome applications from:

  • Members of ESA Science Clusters, particularly addressing: Ocean, Carbon and Polar science communities.
  • Earth system scientists working with Earth Observation (EO) data who want to create, reuse, or publish data collections.

We especially invite early career researchers, PhD students, and post-docs!

To best benefit from the event, we recommend some familiarity or experience with:

  • Earth Observation (EO) data (especially from Polar, Carbon, and Ocean Clusters, including interdisciplinary applications)
  • Programming skills using Python. We plan to accept participants with broad skill levels and backgrounds in programming. However, to best benefit from and contribute to the program, some experience with Python, R, or a similar programming language is recommended.
  • Familiarity with Git and GitHub would be beneficial, but not required. We will provide a short tutorial on Git and GitHub during the hackathon.

Please note that if there are more applicants than we have space, priority will be given to people who work with the ESA Polar Cluster, Ocean Cluster, Carbon Cluster, ScienceHub, Phi Lab, and people who work with ESA data.

Questions? Send us an email.

Application

In the application form, we encourage you to think about and provide a science use case that you would like to prototype or work on. At the beginning of the hackathon, participants will be able to pitch their use case to support the formation of projects, and participants will form teams based on shared interests.

We are able to provide some needs-based travel support for participants who require it.

Applications will close on October 16, 2026. Accepted applicants will be notified no later than October 23, 2026. We expect to accommodate approximately 40-60 participants.

We have provided the registration questions below so that you can think about your answers before you start the application process.

NoneContact Details
  • * First Name
  • * Last Name
  • * Organization
  • * Email Address
  • * Nationality
  • Preferred Pronouns (optional)
NoneMotivation, Interest, & Collaboration

We would like to bring together a diverse group of participants with a wide range of research interests and experience levels. Please tell us a little about yourself and why you are interested in participating in EarthCODE Hackathon 2026.

ESA Science Cluster

Are you part of the Polar, Ocean, or Carbon science cluster? If so, please indicate which one (optional).

Research Group

Please name your research group, university and/or lab

[textbox]

Industry/Position

What is your current position?

Research Interests

Please briefly describe your research and/or data interests and how participation in the EarthCODE Hackathon would impact your work. How would this Hackathon connect with your work? Do you have any ideas for what you would like to work on? (250 word limit)

[textbox]

Why would you like to attend the EarthCODE Hackathon?

Please tell us why you want to participate in this program, including how participation would contribute to your long term goals. (250 word limit)

[textbox]

Collaboration and teamwork experience

Please tell us about your experience in collaborating with others and working in a team setting, including any hackathons or other open science events. For example, EarthCODE, ESA, Openscapes Champions, Pangeo, useR, university meetups, other groups. (100 word limit)

[textbox]

Programming Languages

Please tell us what programming languages you have experience with, and a little about your programming experience. The Hackathon will involve tutorials and projects in Python, and R support during project time.

[textbox]

Git and GitHub

Do you have experience with Git and/or GitHub? Please briefly describe.

[textbox]

What is your GitHub username, if you have one?

[textbox]

NoneLogistics
Availability

Please confirm you are available to participate in person at ESA-ESRIN GMT for the full week of the Hackathon. (It is ok if you need to miss one or two sessions; we record so folks can review).

Travel Reimbursement

Travel reimbursement is available for eligible participants and is intended to support Early Career Researchers.

Please indicate whether you would like to request reimbursement. Eligible participants will receive a confirmation email with all the necessary details and instructions for the reimbursement process.

Do you require travel support?

Please state your reason for requesting financial support and your departure location.

[textbox]

Courtesy Bus

ESRIN is located outside of Frascati. Most people will be staying in a hotel in Frascati, and walking to ESRIN is not possible. A courtesy bus service will be organised in the morning and afternoon to transport participants from Frascati to ESRIN.

Confirmation of the service and the detailed schedule will be provided closer to the event date.

Please confirm whether you would like to use the bus service:

Polo Shirts

Each participant in the EarthCODE Hackathon will be given a shirt at the event. Please select your preferred size below.

Refer to the sizing guide: [link to size guide]

NoneConsent
Code of Conduct

This event will be governed by the Openscapes’ Code of Conduct (https://openscapes.org/code-of-conduct) to ensure an enjoyable and productive time for everyone. Please confirm you agree to abide by its terms:

I agree to be contacted for future events organised by the ESA Conference Bureau
NoneAnything else?

A space for any other questions or information you want to share.

[textbox]

Register here!