Duke-NUS to Host Global Health Innovation Hackathon in Asia-Pacific

Duke-NUS Medical School will host the Asia-Pacific Global Health Innovation Hackathon in Singapore from September 18-19, 2026. The event aims to foster solutions for critical maternal and child nutrition issues across the region.

The hackathon features two main tracks: maternal nutrition during pregnancy and newborn, infant, and young child feeding. The first track addresses challenges such as anemia in pregnant women and the inconsistent uptake of micronutrient supplements. The second track focuses on improving breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, particularly in remote communities.

Participants are invited to form teams of three to four members. Selected teams will receive sponsored travel and accommodation in Singapore for the duration of the event. The goal is to encourage innovations in areas like supply chain management, provider training, policy advocacy, digital adherence tracking, and quality assurance for nutritional supplements.

Top teams will be awarded non-cash prizes valued up to SGD 25,000. This includes a six-month incubation program from October 2026 to March 2027, featuring SGD 5,000 in seed funding, intensive coaching in Singapore in March 2027, dedicated mentorship from experts, and a final showcase for potential investors and partners.

The initiative seeks to generate novel approaches to tackle widespread nutritional deficiencies and health disparities affecting populations in the Asia-Pacific. Applications for the hackathon have now closed.