ARGUS Open ARGUS Heritage Intelligence Platform

Online open data innovation event

ARGUS Open Innovation Challenge 2026

Use real-world environmental monitoring data from five European cultural heritage sites to generate insights, visualizations, predictions, citizen engagement concepts, or innovative applications for preventive heritage preservation.

How to participate Register now Access after registration

Objective

The ARGUS Open Innovation Challenge 2026 promotes the exploitation, reuse, and wider societal impact of the technologies, services, and data workflows developed within the ARGUS project. Participants are invited to transform heritage monitoring data into actionable knowledge, innovative applications, and citizen-centered solutions supporting the preventive preservation of cultural heritage.

Challenge tracks

Teams compete in one of three parallel tracks. Each team submits to one track only. There are no restrictions on the technologies, methods, or tools used.

Track A Heritage and Citizen Science

Public understanding, awareness, storytelling, education, accessibility, outreach, and citizen participation in heritage monitoring and preservation.

Track B Data and Analytics

Dashboards, environmental trend analysis, anomaly detection, risk indicators, threat mapping, analytical reports, and visualization tools.

Track C Innovation AI and Digital Twins

Prototypes, AI applications, predictive models, digital twin extensions, decision-support tools, and heritage monitoring service concepts.

Who can participate

The challenge is open to teams of 1–5 participants, including students, researchers, developers, heritage professionals, digital heritage experts, SMEs, startups, NGOs, citizen science communities, and innovation communities.

  • Students and young researchers
  • Computer science, AI, data science, GIS, and digital humanities communities
  • Cultural heritage and digital innovation practitioners
  • SMEs, startups, NGOs, and citizen science networks
The process is simple: register your team, use the links and instructions provided after registration, work independently, submit a short project package by the deadline, and compete in one of the three challenge tracks.

Access after registration

The ARGUS API is the primary technical resource for the challenge. API access information and the final submission link are provided through the registration confirmation process, so participants should first complete the official registration form.

Hackathon access is read-only. It does not include SQL access, administrative access, write operations, or operational controls that can modify ARGUS services or stored data. Registration is open through the official ARGUS Open Innovation Challenge 2026 registration form. The final submission form is for final entries only and is provided through the registration confirmation message.

Submission package

Each submission must clearly demonstrate how ARGUS data, APIs, concepts, or pilot-site information have been used or extended. Each team must submit a tangible digital output, not only an idea or a slide deck. The submission package is intentionally lightweight, but evaluators must be able to inspect, run, or understand the proposed result.

Required material Details
Abstract 300–500 words
Presentation 5–10 slides or a short PDF
Tangible digital output Required: web prototype, desktop or mobile app, dashboard, notebook, API-based workflow, data-analysis pipeline, AI/ML demo, prototype URL, or equivalent demonstrable artefact
Demo, screenshots, or video Optional but encouraged; video up to 3 minutes if used
Source code or repository Optional but encouraged, unless needed to inspect the tangible output
Final submissions are collected through a dedicated final submission form shared after registration. The form asks for the team name, selected track, project title, abstract, presentation/PDF link, tangible-output link, and optional demo, video, or repository links. File uploads to the ARGUS platform are not required. The deadline is 25 October 2026, 23:59 Athens time.

Evaluation criteria

Submissions are evaluated by a jury composed of representatives from the ARGUS consortium and invited experts from the cultural heritage, digital innovation, and research communities.

Criterion Weight
Relevance to cultural heritage preservation and ARGUS objectives 25%
Innovation and creativity 25%
Technical quality and feasibility 20%
Potential impact and usability 20%
Quality of presentation and communication 10%

Awards and recognition

Best Heritage and Citizen Science Solution

For citizen-centered, educational, public engagement, or awareness solutions.

Best Data and Analytics Solution

For analytics, dashboards, indicators, anomaly detection, or visualization outputs.

Best Innovation and Digital Twin Solution

For prototypes, AI tools, digital twin extensions, or service concepts.

The jury also selects the Best Overall ARGUS Challenge Idea. Certificates are awarded to all teams submitting a valid final entry.

The winning team in each of the three challenge tracks is eligible for publication fee support for one article submitted to the MDPI Heritage Special Issue “From Heritage Data to Heritage Intelligence: Emerging Digital Approaches for Preservation”. Publication remains subject to the journal’s independent editorial checks, scope assessment, and peer-review process.

Challenge timeline

Date Activity
30 September 2026 Registration opens
5–25 October 2026 Three-week self-paced challenge period
25 October 2026, 23:59 Athens time Submission deadline
26–29 October 2026 Evaluation by the ARGUS jury
30 October 2026 Winners announced online
The challenge work period runs for three weeks. Evaluation takes place after the submission deadline, during the fourth week. Registration is already open.

Contact

The registration form is only for team registration. For questions about the ARGUS Open Innovation Challenge 2026, please use the dedicated hackathon contact page.