IBM AI Builders Challenge 2026 for College and University Students Worldwide ($15,000 Prize Pool)

Reach us on

Applications are open for IBM AI Builders Challenge 2026. Join the AI Builders Challenge with IBM Bob, sponsored by IBM SkillsBuild, a global program designed for college and university students to build real-world AI solutions, develop in-demand technical skills, and showcase their work to a global audience.

Through monthly innovation challenges, hands-on learning experiences, and a collaborative developer community on GitHub and Discord, you’ll gain practical experience using the latest IBM AI technologies while building projects that strengthen your technical portfolio and help you stand out as a next-generation AI innovator.

The Challenge is open to eligible university students 18 years of age or older across participating countries. Participation is subject to the Official Rules.

IBM AI Builders Challenge Benefits

Participate in the AI Builders Challenge your way. Learn at the Virtual Conference and through educational resources from IBM SkillsBuild, or build real-world AI solutions with IBM Bob through monthly innovation challenges and compete for your share of the $15,000 prize pool. Learn, build or both — it’s up to you!

Share of a $15,000 USD prize pool
Grand Prize Winner receives $5,000 USD
Hands-on experience with IBM Bob
Learn practical AI and software development skills
Access mentors, webinars, Discord support, and office hours
Build portfolio-ready projects for future employers
Opportunity to attend IBM TechXchange
Network with global innovators and technology professionals

Participate in the AI Builders Challenge your way.

Learn at the Virtual Conference and through educational resources from IBM SkillsBuild, or build real-world AI solutions with IBM Bob through monthly innovation challenges and compete for your share of the $15,000 prize pool. Learn, build or both — it’s up to you!

BUILD
- Real-World AI Solutions with IBM Bob
- The monthly hackathon challenges feature IBM Bob, IBM’s AI development partner.
- IBM Bob helps developers move from idea to implementation faster by assisting with planning, coding, testing, and problem-solving across the development process. Instead of spending time on repetitive tasks, you can focus on building, experimenting, and bringing your ideas to life.
- Throughout these challenges, you’ll gain hands-on experience with IBM Bob while building a portfolio-ready project that demonstrates both technical skills and creative thinking.
LEARN
- with IBM SkillsBuild, the Virtual Conference & More
- Attend the IBM Bob Virtual Conference to hear from AI experts, developers, and industry leaders through technical sessions, demonstrations, and discussions focused on AI-assisted development and real-world applications.
- Build your knowledge with IBM SkillsBuild and learn how to become a more effective AI-assisted developer with IBM Bob while exploring the latest AI technologies, tools, and best practices.
- Throughout the program, you’ll have access to learning resources, webinars, and educational content designed to help you strengthen your skills, expand your knowledge, and support your challenge project.

Eligibility Criteria

The monthly challenges are designed for university students who want to build real-world AI solutions using IBM technologies. The Virtual Conference is open to students, faculty, and university administrators interested in learning about AI and IBM Bob.

College or University Students: (Undergraduate, Graduate & PhD)
Technical Students: (Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science & Related Fields)
Students Passionate About AI: (Business, Design, Marketing & Other Majors)
Faculty, Educators & University Administrators: (Virtual Conference Only)

Team size is 1–5 participants, solo participation is also allowed.

IBM AI Builders Challenge Prizes

Join each challenge for the opportunity to compete for a share of the $15,000 total prize pool, including a Grand Prize for the top project across both challenges. Top teams will also gain recognition from IBM and the opportunity to showcase their work.

Each challenge awards:

1st Place: $ 2,250 USD
Runner Up: $ 1,250 USD
Most Innovative: $ 750 USD
Best Use of Technology: $ 750 USD
Grand Prize — $5,000

Challenge Themes

Choose one of two challenge themes each month and use IBM Bob to build an innovative AI-powered solution.

July Challenge: Reimagine Creative Industries with AI.

AI is transforming how people create content, tell stories, design experiences, and bring ideas to life.
Build solutions that help creators work smarter, explore new forms of expression, and unlock new creative possibilities.
Example Ideas
- AI creative partners
- Storytelling and content creation tools
- Multimedia and multimodal experiences
- Creative ideation platforms
- Interactive media experiences
- Personalized creative assistants

Space exploration operates in some of the most complex and high-stakes environments, where decisions must be precise, data-rich, and often made with limited time and resources.
Build solutions that help transform space exploration from data-heavy to insight-driven systems, enabling smarter missions and making space more accessible.
Example Ideas
- AI-powered mission planning assistants
- Predictive spacecraft monitoring and anomaly detection
- Space debris tracking and collision avoidance systems
- Tools that translate complex space data into clear insights
- AI systems that support astronomy research and discovery

Wildcard Challenge: Build Intelligent Systems for the Future of Work

If you have an idea during either the July or August challenge, but it doesn’t quite fit into the challenge statements above, you may submit to the wildcard challenge! Please note: For either month, you are submitting one solution, and either focusing on the challenge for the month, or the wildcard challenge.
AI is evolving from a productivity tool into a true collaborator that can help people plan, coordinate, decide, and execute work more effectively. Build solutions that help individuals, teams, and organizations achieve better outcomes through intelligent automation and decision support.
Example Ideas
- Workflow automation tools
- AI co-workers
- Project planning assistants
- Decision intelligence platforms
- Operations and productivity solutions
- Business process orchestration systems

Judging Criteria

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges who will evaluate submissions based on:

Technical Execution
Innovation
Feasibility
Challenge Fit
Real-World Impact

How To Apply for IBM AI Builders Challenge

For each monthly challenge, submissions must published on the challenge platform by the last day of the month at 11:59pm ET.

To complete each challenge, your team must provide:

A working prototype or proof of concept using IBM Bob (required primary developement tool)
Completion of required learning activity on IBM SkillsBuild platform (skillsbuild.org)
A public GitHub repository with a clear README that includes:
- Problem statement
- Solution description
- AI approach and architecture
- Selected challenge theme
- How IBM Bob was used
Submit project page on the challenge platform with all information, including:
- Project and team member details
- Link to your GitHub repository
- A public link to a video (maxiumum 3 minutes)

Participants can register at any time during the challenge month. All solutions must be submitted by the last day of the month at 11:59 PM EST. The prize remains the same for every monthly challenge.

Click Here To Apply and for more Detail