Call for Application - Pacific Bio-innovation Hackathon
- afranorg
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
“Pacific Bio-Innovation Hackathon: From Lab to Impact” : 21/10/2025 - 22/10/2025
APPLY BEFORE OCTOBER 6TH
We are thrilled to announce the call for applications for the “Pacific Bio-Innovation Hackathon: From Lab to Impact”, organised by the AFRAN and the Embassy of France to Australia.
Apply and explore, reflect and create over two days to build new initiatives or technologies that contribute to a sustainable and forward-looking future in the fields of biotech and circular economy.
Context:
The 2025 AFRAN Forum will take place on 21–22 October at the University of Sydney, under the theme: "Evolving Pacific: Shared Pathways for a Sustainable Future". This transdisciplinary event will gather stakeholders from France, Australia, and the Pacific to explore innovative, regionally driven solutions for a sustainable Pacific future. One of its key session, “Innovation for one health in the Pacific”, will examine how France and Australia can support Pacific-led initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on impact investment and local innovation.
In this context, AFRAN and the Embassy of France to Australia will host a Hackathon, an event in which aspiring entrepreneurs can collaborate with one another, regardless of their specialities, to create a proposition for a new business or service over a relatively short period of time. Titled “Pacific Bio-Innovation Hackathon: From Lab to Impact”, the Hackathon will take place at the Alliance Française of Sydney on 21–22 October. Participants will be invited to design start-up concepts focused on Pacific perspectives and Australian strengths, particularly in the fields of biotech and circular economy. Two focus areas have been selected: Healthy, sustainable, and traceable food systems and Next-generation biomedicines and medical devices.
Objectives:
The Hackathon aims to:
Promote innovation and inspire participants to create business ideas that contribute to a sustainable and forward-looking future in the fields of biotech and circular economy.
Spark collaboration and innovation across regions, in support of a more resilient and sustainable Pacific.
Empower participants to become SDG change agents while using their skills to foster creativity and topic knowledge, encourage creative problem-solving and critical thinking.
Encourage cross-cultural exchanges and teamwork among students and professionals from both Australia and France, and with coaches from industry and academia.
Develop personal and professional competencies needed for the design of a solution and the building of a business.
Eligibility:
PhD students and industry engineers from Australia and the French Pacific territories are eligible to apply. Students from diverse disciplines, backgrounds, and nationalities are encouraged to apply. Participants should be willing to work in teams, have a passion for problem-solving, and be available for the entire duration of the hackathon. Participants should be able to interact in English. For participants travelling to Sydney from overseas, the most outstanding profiles may receive financial support for their travel expenses.
Application process:
To apply, please send all the documents below to: science.canberra-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr before the 06/10/2025:
The application form
Your CV
Proof of English proficiency (if relevant)
Team Formation:
Each candidate will choose topics of expertise and interest. Depending on the number of applicants, a selection may occur.
Participants will then be sorted into teams according to their favourite topic. Please note that if there are not enough people in one topic to create a team, students will be sorted into their second favourite topic.
Each team will be composed of 4/5 participants. Mentors will circulate amongst the teams to guide them and help them if needed. Coaches will give short presentations to teach key steps of a company building.
More information:
Please contact: science.canberra-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr
+61 (02) 6216 0133