NOVA University Lisbon will host, for the first time, the EUTOPIA_HEALTH Hackathon, an initiative of the European alliance EUTOPIA that promotes collaboration between academia and external
partners to develop innovative solutions in health, with an impact on citizens’ well-being.
The 2026 edition challenges interdisciplinary teams of researchers at different career stages, including PhD candidates, to work on four concrete problems with real-world impact:
– Improving adherence to polypharmacy (the use of five or more medications), helping to reduce disease progression and hospitalizations (Farmácias Holon);
– Supporting healthcare professionals in identifying and managing patients at risk of hereditary cancer (EVITA – Hereditary Cancer);
– Transforming environmental data into personalized recommendations to prevent health risks in everyday life (NTT DATA);
– Assessing the potential medical and nutritional use of innovative marine ingredients, including those derived from species such as blue mussel, horse mackerel,
and Atlantic chub mackerel, with a view to their application and possible commercialization in the European market (Testa & Cunhas, SA).
The hackathon includes several stages: an online session on September 16, followed by a mentoring period until October 27, culminating in onsite sessions in Lisbon from October 27 to 29. Throughout the process, methodologies such as Design Thinking will be used to support the development and validation of proposed solutions, with direct input from partners.
Applications are open until June 14, 2026, via a dedicated form. Participant selection will be carried out by each partner university, taking into account the number of available places, commitment to attend all stages of the programme, and the relevance of the applicant’s profile to the health domain.