What is IBM Call for Code?
IBM Call for Code is an annual global hackathon that challenges developers to create practical, scalable, and sustainable open-source technology solutions to combat climate change and support disaster resilience. The prize pool totals $200,000.
2026 Themes
- Climate Resilience (drought, flood, wildfire solutions)
- Disaster Response (emergency communication, resource allocation)
- Sustainable Agriculture (precision farming, food waste reduction)
- Clean Energy (renewable energy optimization)
Required IBM Technologies
- IBM Cloud (minimum 1 cloud service used)
- IBM Watson AI (optional but gives bonus points)
- IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite (for climate data)
- Red Hat OpenShift (optional)
Registration
Register at callforcode.org. Individual or teams up to 5. Must be 18+. Global participation.
Judging Criteria
- Completeness and transferability (30%)
- Effectiveness (30%)
- Design (20%)
- IBM Cloud deployment (20%)
Winning Tips
- Build a working prototype, not just slides
- Open-source your code on GitHub
- Show measurable impact with real data
- Include a scalability plan for global deployment