Want to use your creativity and problem-solving skills to help tackle vaping among young people? The Vape Free Uni Hackathon is a dynamic and collaborative initiative uniting six Victorian universities to develop bold new ideas to address vaping for uni students.
Funded through the VicHealth Vaping Prevention Collective Impact 2.0 Grants program, the Hackathon brings together students from Deakin University, Monash University, La Trobe University, Australian Catholic University, Federation University and the University of Melbourne.
Participants will form multidisciplinary teams of six students, with one representative from each university to support cross-institutional collaboration and diverse perspectives. The winning team will receive an intensive two-week internship to bring their idea to life, working with stakeholders to refine, develop and support implementation of their solution across university campuses.
There are 20 places available for La Trobe students from all disciplines, and each selected student will receive a $50 Prezzee gift voucher to help with travel costs to attend the in-person event.
Applications close Thursday 30 July 2026.
Eligibility
To be eligible to join this program, you must:
- be a currently enrolled student at La Trobe University
- continue to be a current student during the internship phase, from December 2026 to February 2027
- have the necessary work rights to take part in the full-time internship at the University, if you progress to the internship stage
The program is open to both international and domestic students of all disciplines.
Key dates
Applications
Applications open: Monday 15 June 2026
Applications close: Thursday 30 July 2026
Program dates
Hackathon kick-off event: Wednesday 26 August 2026, 11 am – 1 pm, online
Hackathon Day: Wednesday 23 September 2026, all day, in person at the University of Melbourne, Parkville
Solution design submissions due: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Winning team announcement: Friday 23 October 2026
Internship dates
Internship dates will be confirmed with the winning team and will take place between December 2026 and February 2027.
By participating, you will:
- develop a range of experience and skills while working in a dynamic team
- learn to develop a proposal and pitch your ideas to real industry professionals
- collaborate with students across degrees and disciplines from other universities across Victoria
- be recognised with Melbourne Plus and receive the Innovation digital badge
How it works
The application process includes two stages.
Step 1 – Application stage
In the application form, you will be asked to respond to questions outlining your interest in the program and your responses to the selection criteria.
You will also be asked to submit a short video recording.
Step 2 – Final outcomes
Twenty students from La Trobe University will be invited to participate in the Hackathon event.
1. Hackathon kick-off event
This two-hour online session will serve as the official launch of the program. Students will be introduced to the issue of vaping and the vision of creating vape-free campuses.
Participants will hear from leading experts in the field, including representatives from VicHealth and Quit Victoria, who will share insights on the public health impacts of vaping and current prevention strategies.
Students will also be introduced to their cross-university teams, with one student from each university forming teams of six. This will provide an opportunity to connect, begin building relationships and start discussing ideas in a collaborative environment.
Students will also be given access to a range of resources to assist in developing their knowledge and skills on the topic.
2. Hackathon Day
This one-day Hackathon will be held in person at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus.
Students will be challenged to address a specific issue related to the harms of vaping, with the full task and parameters revealed on the day.
Working collaboratively in their teams, and with assistance from a range of mentors, participants will develop an innovative and practical solution in response to the challenge.
To close the Hackathon, each team will pitch their idea to a panel of expert judges. The top three teams will be selected to advance to the solution design phase.
3. Solution design phase
The selected three teams will work together independently to refine their idea and create a prototype or concept.
Teams will submit their proposal via a video recording, which will be judged by a panel representing the universities.
4. Internship details
A winning team will be selected, and the six students from the winning team will each be awarded a two-week paid intensive internship at their university.
During this period, the interns will work on implementing their proposed solution within the university and gain hands-on experience with real-world workplace dynamics.
Have any questions?
If you have any questions about the application process or how the program works, email stacey.bracksleyogrady@latrobe.edu.au.