Social Innovation Bootcamp.
12 weeks. Real problems. Tech-driven solutions. We're training the next generation of social innovators — and we need your challenges and your support to make it happen.
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.
Whether you're carrying a problem worth solving or want to fund the people solving it — there's a place for you here.
Call for Problem Statements
Have a real social challenge in your community or sector? Submit it. Our bootcamp teams will research it and build a practical, open-source solution over 12 weeks.
- No technical knowledge required to submit
- You stay involved — we may reach out to learn more
- The final solution belongs to your community
- Submissions close 20th March 2026
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.
- 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 after you submit a problem?
Submitting a problem is the start of something real. Here is exactly what the process looks like from your submission to a working solution in your community's hands.
You Submit
Fill in a short form describing the challenge. No technical language required. Just tell us what problem exists and who it affects.
We Review
Our team reads every submission. We may contact you with follow-up questions to better understand the context and affected community.
Selection
We select the challenges best suited for a 12-week research and build cycle. Selected submitters are notified by 1st April 2026.
Students Are Assigned
A cross-track student team is matched to your 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. You 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 you have direct knowledge of or experience with
- 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 that require physical hardware or infrastructure to solve
- Vague challenges without a specific affected community
- Anything that would harm or exploit the people it claims to serve
Have a problem worth solving?
Submissions are open now. It takes less than 10 minutes and you don't need to be technical. Just tell us what you see happening in your community.
Submit Your ChallengeFund the next generation of social innovators.
Every dollar goes directly to students, tools, and the community solutions they build. Choose a tier that works for you — no partnership is too small.
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.
Here is exactly where we are and where we are going. Everything is published openly so partners, applicants, and communities can plan ahead.
Problem Submissions Close
Last day to submit a community challenge for consideration in Cohort 1.
Problem Statement Evaluation
Our team reviews all submissions and shortlists the strongest, most solvable challenges.
Top 6 Problems Announced · Partners & Applications Open
The 6 selected community challenges are published. The call for partners launches and participant applications open on the same day.
Information Session
An open session for prospective participants to learn more about the bootcamp, the tracks, and what to expect.
Applications Close
Last day for participants to submit their applications for Cohort 1.
Partners Announced
All confirmed partners and sponsors for Cohort 1 are publicly announced.
Shortlisted Participants Notified
Shortlisted applicants receive notification and are invited to the assessment stage.
Assessment
Shortlisted participants complete the assessment process for final selection.
Acceptance Emails Sent
Selected participants receive their official acceptance into Cohort 1.
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 submitting problems and from potential partners. If yours isn't here, email us directly.
More details dropping before June 1st.
Full application criteria, mentor profiles, selected challenge briefs, and showcase details will all be published here. Sign up to be notified when applications open.