EBS Hackathon 2026
EBS Hackathon 2026
Advancing an open, modular ecosystem for breeding informatics.
May 11-15, 2026
CIAT Cali–Palmira, Colombia
Collaborative
Developers, breeders, and data scientists working together.
Hands-On
Design and prototype real solutions for the EBS ecosystem
Ecosystem Interoperability
Strengthen integration between breeding data platforms.
Impactful
Develop tools that support breeding innovation and global food security.
The EBS Hackathon supports the evolution of the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) into an open, modular, and collaborative ecosystem that strengthens CGIAR’s digital breeding infrastructure. The event brings together developers, breeders, researchers, and data scientists to explore new ways of extending EBS through integrations, modular tools, and community-driven innovation.
The Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) is an open-source breeding informatics platform that supports crop breeding programs serving resource-poor farmers worldwide. In collaboration with BrAPI (Breeding API), EBS promotes interoperability standards that connect breeding tools, data systems, and databases across the digital breeding ecosystem.
The week-long event combines structured discussions, technical workshops, and collaborative project sessions where participants prototype ideas and develop proof-of-concept solutions for the EBS ecosystem.
This hackathon is organized jointly with the BrAPI (Breeding API) community, bringing together two essential pillars of modern breeding informatics.
Purpose
Support the evolution of the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) into an open, modular, and collaborative ecosystem. The hackathon brings together developers, researchers, and partners to explore new ways of extending EBS through integrations, modular tools, and community-driven innovation that strengthen CGIAR’s digital breeding infrastructure.
Objectives
- Promote the vision of EBS as an open-source ecosystem.
- Encourage collaboration across CGIAR and partner organizations.
- Develop proof-of-concept (PoC) solutions that extend EBS capabilities.
- Contribute to the development of governance, contribution guidelines, and community practices for the EBS ecosystem.
- Gather insights to inform the future roadmap of EBS.
Use Cases
Hackathon teams will focus on five specific use cases to advance integration, interoperability, and analytics within the EBS ecosystem:
- Use Case 1: Develop an end-to-end BioFlow analytics pipeline on Fairgrounds using federated EBS and external data.
- Use Case 2: Extend EBS–BioFlow integration for automated genomic analyses and genotypic data ingestion.
- Use Case 3: Connect genebank accessions (GGCE) with EBS breeding outcomes for traceability and impact analysis.
- Use Case 4: Stress-test Gigwa with high-density datasets to assess scalability and enterprise readiness.
- Use Case 5: Integrate IWIS and EBS data to enable genetic gain analysis and support system transition.
Event Access & Format
The hackathon will bring together invited participants from teams working across key platforms and initiatives, including EBS, Fairgrounds, BioFlow, ClimMob, Genebank systems, Gigwa, BrAPI, PhenoApps, and related tools. Participants include software developers, breeders, data scientists, bioinformaticians, and system administrators collaborating on breeding informatics.
The event will be conducted in a hybrid format
- In-Person
- Join us at CIAT in Cali, Colombia for the full collaborative hackathon experience.
- Remote
- Participate virtually and contribute to hackathon projects from anywhere.
Schedule
Workshop Themes
Throughout the week, participants may attend sessions on topics such as:
- Artificial Intelligence and High Performance Computing (AI & HPC)
- Path to Open Source
- AI Governance
- Amazon SageMaker for Research
- And more!
D1 Kickoff & Preparation
May 11
→ Welcome & Event Overview
→ Introductory Talks & Workshops
→ Hackathon Guidelines
→ Team Formation & Initial Hacking
D2 – D4 Hacking Sessions
May 12-14
→ Technical Discussions & Mentorship
→ Prototype Development
→ Testing & Iteration of solutions
D5 Presentations & Wrap-Up
May 15
→ Project Demonstrations
→ Team Presentations
→ Feedback & Discussion
→ Event Wrap-Up
D6 Buffer
May 16
Travel Guide
The EBS Hackathon 2026 will take place at the CIAT Campus in Cali–Palmira, Colombia, a leading center for agricultural research and innovation within CGIAR.
The campus provides a collaborative environment with facilities that support workshops, team collaboration, and technical sessions throughout the event.
CIAT – International Center for Tropical Agriculture
📍Address:
CIAT – International Center for Tropical Agriculture
Km 17 Recta Cali-Palmira
Palmira, Valle del Cauca
Colombia
📍 City: Cali, Colombia
🌤 Climate: Warm tropical climate
🗣 Language: Spanish (English widely used in the research community)
🗣 Contact Person:
Andre Moretto
a.moretto@cgiar.org
Getting to Cali
The nearest airport is:
✈ Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport (CLO)
Located approximately 30–40 minutes from the CIAT campus.
International participants can typically connect through major regional hubs such as Bogotá, Panama City, or Miami.
Transportation options from the airport include taxis, ride-sharing services, and arranged transportation.
Travel Preparation
Participants traveling internationally may need to prepare the following:
- Valid passport
- Applicable visa requirements
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Please review the Colombian entry requirements before planning your trip.
Before Your Flight
To speed up immigration procedures, travelers are encouraged to complete the Migración Colombia Check-Mig online form prior to departure.
Accommodation
Participants may stay at:
- Hotels in Cali or Palmira
- Nearby accommodations recommended by the organizers
- CIAT campus lodging (if available)
Additional accommodation recommendations may be shared with registered participants.
Currency, Transportation, Safety
The local currency is the Colombian Peso (COP). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and major establishments, but carrying some cash is recommended for taxis and small purchases.
Transport
Use official airport taxis or ride-hailing services (Uber, DiDi) when traveling from the airport. Avoid unregistered taxis and confirm the destination as CIAT – Km 17 Recta Cali–Palmira, Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
Safety
Cali is a major city with active business and research communities. Visitors are encouraged to follow standard travel precautions, such as using authorized transportation and keeping personal belongings secure.
About the Communities
Enterprise Breeding System (EBS)
EBS is an open-source breeding informatics platform developed for crop breeding programs serving resource-poor farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It connects and builds upon existing breeding software to offer a single powerful tool for modern breeding workflows.
Development is led by CGIAR’s Excellence in Breeding Platform and the Breeding Resources Initiative.
Breeding API (BrAPI)
BrAPI is a standardized RESTful web service API specification for communicating plant breeding data. It enables interoperability between breeding databases and tools, making it easier to integrate different systems and share data across the breeding community.
BrAPI is developed and maintained by an international community of breeding informaticians.
EBS Hackathon 2026
Advancing breeding informatics for global food security, in partnership with BrAPI.
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© 2026 EBS Hackathon. Organized in partnership with BrAPI.