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Meta Global AI Hackathon: $150 API Credits for Every Participant + $1M Prize Pool
Meta announced the Global AI Developer Hackathon at Meta Connect 2026, run by Meta Superintelligence Labs: a 10-day virtual hackathon open worldwide where every participant gets $150 in Meta Model API credits to build with, and the total cash prize pool is $1 million. Announcement coverage describes two tracks, one for indie developers and one for startup teams, plus hands-on workshops run by Meta Superintelligence Labs engineers and researchers. Applications are not open yet — Meta's official page only offers a notify-me signup for now.
What this offer actually gives you
The headline is simple: free to enter, open worldwide, and every participant gets $150 of Meta Model API credits. The API gives hosted access to Meta's Muse models (Muse Spark 1.3 and others) for agentic coding, multimodal work, image generation with Muse Image, and speech-to-text with Muse Voice Transcribe, through OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible interfaces.
The $1 million is a cash prize pool. Meta has not published how the pool is divided, how entries are judged, or who judges them — those details should appear when applications open. Announcement coverage describes two competition tracks, indie developers and startup teams, though the official page does not detail them yet.
You can build on the Meta Model API, on Muse Code (Meta's multi-agent coding tool), or on Meta's open-weight models. Superintelligence Labs engineers and researchers will run technical workshops across the ten days.
Timing matters: as of October 9, 2026, Meta has not set event dates or an application deadline. The only action available on the official page is the notify-me signup (first name, last name, email). Sign up now so you hear the moment applications open.
How to claim this offer
$150 in Meta Model API Credits for Every Participant
Every accepted participant in the 10-day Global AI Developer Hackathon gets $150 in Meta Model API credits to build with — usable across Muse models, Muse Image, and Muse Voice Transcribe via OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible APIs.
- $150 in Meta Model API credits for every participant
- $1 million total cash prize pool
- 10-day virtual hackathon, open worldwide
- Workshops run by Meta Superintelligence Labs engineers and researchers
- Build with Meta Model API, Muse Code, or Meta open-weight models
How to claim this deal
- 1
Open Meta's official hackathon page.
- 2
Fill in the notify-me form with your first name, last name, and email.
- 3
Wait for Meta to announce that applications have opened.
- 4
Submit your application once the form goes live — accepted participants receive the $150 in API credits.
Verified October 9, 2026 on dev.meta.ai/events/global-hackathon ($150 credits per participant, $1M pool, notify-only signup, no dates published). Tracks per Meta announcement coverage; not detailed on the official page yet.
Key benefits
- Free API budget to try Meta's newest models
- A shot at part of the $1M prize pool
- Direct access to Meta's AI engineers via workshops
Eligibility and requirements
- First name, last name, and email for the notify signup
- Open worldwide (per Meta)
- Participant acceptance criteria TBA
Pro tip
Sign up for the notify list today — $150 in free API credits for simply participating is the easiest free AI credit on this page, and hackathon spots can fill fast once applications open.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility requirements
Listed by Meta as virtual and worldwide. Two tracks (indie developers and startup teams) reported in announcement coverage; the official page does not yet detail eligibility, minimum age, excluded countries, team-size limits, or selection criteria. No credit card required for the notify signup.
Meta offer FAQs
Is the Meta hackathon really free to enter?
Yes. Meta lists the Global AI Developer Hackathon as free to enter and open worldwide, and every participant gets $150 in Meta Model API credits.
When do applications open?
Meta has not announced dates yet. The official page only offers a notify-me signup for now — join it so you hear the moment applications open.
What can I build with the $150 credits?
Anything on the Meta Model API (Muse models for coding agents and multimodal work, Muse Image, Muse Voice Transcribe), on Muse Code, or on Meta's open-weight models.
How is the $1 million split?
Meta has not published the prize breakdown, judging criteria, or judges yet. Details should appear when applications open.
About Meta
Meta is the technology company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Its developer AI platform centers on the Meta Model API, which provides hosted access to the Muse family of models for coding agents, multimodal workflows, and other AI applications.
