Social Innovation Bootcamp.
12 weeks. Real community problems. Tech-driven solutions. We received applications from talented young people across Uganda — and we're now reviewing them to select our 50 participants.
Bootcamp
Women in Tech
Tracks
Date 2026
Where research meets technology to solve real community problems.
The Research Code Academy brings together rigorous social research and hands-on technology to tackle Africa's most pressing community challenges. Participants don't just learn to code — they research problems deeply, work with affected communities, and build solutions grounded in evidence.
Every project starts with a real problem submitted by a community, organisation, or individual. Students then merge research methodology with technical skills to design, build, and validate a working solution — together.
Cohort 1 — June 2026
A 12-week online programme where selected students research real community problems and build working, open-source prototypes across five specialist tracks.
Who Can Apply
Age 16–35 · Based anywhere in Africa · Basic programming knowledge or strong research interest · Committed to all 12 weeks · Willing to collaborate across disciplines
How It Works
Students are assigned to a problem statement from our community challenge pool. They research it, design a solution, and build a working prototype — guided by mentors across their track.
What You Walk Away With
A deployed, open-source prototype · A published research report · A capstone presentation · Real experience working in a cross-disciplinary team solving a real problem.
Delivery Mode
Fully online. Blended workshops, mentorship sessions, and collaborative team projects. Three days per week across 12 weeks. A demo day showcase at the end.
Two ways to be part of this.
Problem submissions and applications are now closed. But you can still support the cohort as a partner — and stay informed as we move toward June.
Call for Problem Statements
Submissions for Cohort 1 are now closed. We received community challenges from across Uganda and are currently evaluating them. Selected problems will be announced alongside the shortlisted participants.
- Submissions closed — thank you to everyone who submitted
- Top problems will be announced with the shortlist
- Future cohorts will open new submission rounds
Call for Partners & Sponsors
We're building the next generation of ethical tech innovators. Your partnership directly funds students, tools, and the community solutions they build. Partnership is still open.
- Tiers from $150 — no ask is too small
- Recognition across all platforms and the showcase
- Full financial report after the cohort ends
- Early access to recruit top graduates
What happens to the problems submitted?
Submissions are closed, but here is exactly what the process looks like — from submission through to a working solution in a community's hands.
You Submitted
The community filled in a short form describing the challenge. No technical language required — just the problem and who it affects.
We're Reviewing
Our team is reading every submission now. We may contact submitters with follow-up questions to better understand the context.
Selection
We select the challenges best suited for a 12-week research and build cycle. Selected submitters will be notified alongside the participant shortlist.
Students Are Assigned
A cross-track student team is matched to each problem. They spend weeks 1–3 understanding it deeply before building anything.
Built & Tested
Students build a working prototype and validate it with real users. Submitters may be invited to participate in the testing process.
Handed Over
At the final showcase, the solution is presented publicly. All code is open-source and documented for community use and continuity.
What qualifies
- A real problem affecting a defined community or group
- Health, education, agriculture, finance, environment, or civic challenges
- Problems where data, a mobile app, or a web tool could help
- Problems with direct community knowledge behind them
- Challenges faced by youth, women, rural communities, or underserved groups
What doesn't qualify
- Problems that already have well-funded, working solutions
- Commercial product ideas or business ventures
- Problems requiring physical hardware or infrastructure
- Vague challenges without a specific affected community
- Anything that would harm or exploit the people it claims to serve
Submissions are closed for Cohort 1
We received community challenges from across Uganda and are now evaluating them alongside applications. If you submitted a problem, watch your inbox — we'll be in touch. Future cohort submission rounds will be announced on all our channels.
Fund the next generation of social innovators.
Every dollar goes directly to students, tools, and the community solutions they build. Partnership is still open — choose a tier that works for you.
You don't need to give $150. You can give $10. Every amount — no matter how small — goes directly to a student. If none of the tiers feel right, just send us an email and tell us what you can do. We will make it work. In-kind support — mentorship time, software licences, cloud credits, or a device — is equally welcome. We respond within 3 working days.
- Name on the bootcamp website
- Acknowledgement at the final showcase
- End-of-cohort impact report
- Logo on website and all bootcamp materials
- Named project team sponsorship
- Social media recognition
- End-of-cohort impact report
- Named track sponsorship
- Logo on all bootcamp and showcase materials
- Guest speaker or judge opportunity
- Early access to recruit top graduates
- Detailed financial and impact report
- Premier logo placement across all channels
- Named co-presenter at the final showcase
- Input into challenge selection process
- Priority early recruitment access
- Quarterly RCR research briefings
- Full financial transparency report
Key dates for Cohort 1.
Everything published openly so partners, applicants, and communities can plan ahead. Here's where we are right now.
Call for Problem Statements Launched ✓
Open call to the public to submit community challenges across all channels.
Applications Open & Closed ✓
The participant application window opened and has now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied.
Applications Closed ✓
Application portal closed. All submissions compiled and handed to the selection committee.
Reviewing Applications
The selection committee is going through all submitted applications, scoring against agreed criteria. Problem statements are being evaluated in parallel.
Shortlist Emails Sent
50 shortlisted participants will receive notification by email. Watch your inbox if you applied.
Partners Announced
All confirmed partners and sponsors for Cohort 1 are publicly announced across all platforms.
Acceptance Emails Sent
Selected participants receive their official acceptance, onboarding information, group assignments, and next steps.
Orientation
All 50 participants come together for onboarding, track introductions, and team formation.
Bootcamp Begins 🚀
12 weeks of research, design, and building starts. Week 1 kicks off for all participants and mentors together.
Frequently asked questions.
Common questions from people who submitted problems and from potential partners. If yours isn't here, email us directly.