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Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2026
Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2026
The Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2026 is an exciting opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to tackle one of Canada’s most pressing issues: the intersection of immigration and housing. Using exclusive local-level data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), you will dive into the housing patterns that define our major urban landscapes.
The Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2026 is an exciting opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to tackle one of Canada’s most pressing issues: the intersection of immigration and housing. Using exclusive local-level data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), you will dive into the housing patterns that define our major urban landscapes.
Key Dates
Key Dates
April 1: Registration deadline
May 1: Challenge kickoff event
May 1-11: Challenge week
May 29: Flagship event for semi-finalists
The Challenge: Mapping Urban Belonging
The Challenge: Mapping Urban Belonging
The Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2026 is an exciting opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to tackle one of Canada’s most pressing issues: the intersection of immigration and housing. Using exclusive local-level data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), you will dive into the housing patterns that define our major urban landscapes.
The Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2026 is an exciting opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to tackle one of Canada’s most pressing issues: the intersection of immigration and housing. Using exclusive local-level data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), you will dive into the housing patterns that define our major urban landscapes.
You will be tasked with analyzing and visualizing:
You will be tasked with analyzing and visualizing:
● Population Counts: Distribution of residents across local subdivisions.
● Population Counts: Distribution of residents across local subdivisions.
● Housing Tenure: A deep dive into Owner-occupied vs. Renter-occupied dwellings.
● Housing Tenure: A deep dive into Owner-occupied vs. Renter-occupied dwellings.
● Immigration Status: Comparative patterns between immigrant and non-immigrant households.
● Immigration Status: Comparative patterns between immigrant and non-immigrant households.
Why Participate?
Why Participate?
More than a competition, this hands-on learning experience is designed to help students develop essential analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills while addressing real-world migration issues. Students will benefit from workshops and mentorship from academic and industry professionals.
Participants will:
✔️ Have Real-World Impact: Your insights will contribute to the conversation on urban affordability and immigrant integration.
✔️ Work With High-Quality Data: Work with official 2026-targeted statistics provided by the CMHC.
✔️ Showcase Your Skills: Demonstrate your ability in comparative urban analysis, data storytelling, and spatial statistics.
✔️ Gain Industry and Policy Exposure: Present research to an expert panel from government, industry, and academia, expanding career opportunities.
Who Should Apply?
Who Should Apply?
This challenge is open to students from all Bridging Divides partner universities, from any discipline, interested in migration research, data science, or public policy. Whether you're a seasoned data analyst or new to working with datasets, this is your chance to make an impact, build skills, and connect with professionals in the field.
Competition Structure
Competition Structure
📊 Data Distribution: On May 1st, participants will receive simplified datasets and guidelines to jump-start their analysis.
⏳ Timeframe: Teams will have 9 days to complete their research and submit findings.
📢 Final Presentations: 10 teams of semi-finalists will present to a distinguished panel of interdisciplinary judges, in a virtual flagship event that will be streamed internationally.
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
🏆 Best Overall Submission – $5,000
🥈 Silver Award – $3,000
📊 Bronze Award – $2,000
Judging Criteria
Judging Criteria
Relevance: Addressing the research focus and offering meaningful insights.
Analytical Rigor: Quality of analysis, methodology, and interpretation.
Innovation: Creativity in answering research questions and presenting findings.
Clarity: Effective communication of results through writing, maps, and other visuals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the registration deadline?
What’s the registration deadline?
Applications are due April 1, 2026 at 11:59pm MT. Note, spots are limited. Applying does not guarantee a spot.
Am I eligible to register for the Migration Data Challenge 2026?
Am I eligible to register for the Migration Data Challenge 2026?
The Migration Data Challenge 2026 is open to any undergraduate or graduate student registered full-time or part-time at the University of Alberta during the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants from Bridging Divides partners (the University of British Columbia, Toronto Metropolitan University and Concordia University) must apply through their home institutions. All applicant teams must be composed of students from the same university.
Do I have to have a background in statistics or computer science to qualify?
Do I have to have a background in statistics or computer science to qualify?
Not at all. We welcome multi-disciplinary teams, but it would be an asset if at least one member of your team has a background in computer science or statistics.
How many members are there in a team and how do I join or form a team?
How many members are there in a team and how do I join or form a team?
Each team is made up of three (3) applicants from the same institution. We encourage participants to start forming teams before the event. If you do not list a team on your application, you will be placed into a team after registration by the organizers. Given the nature of the challenge, we recommend you make your team interdisciplinary.
How do I get started?
How do I get started?
You will have to submit a registration form.
Each team member needs to register individually. If you have a team already formed don’t forget to list it in the registration form. Please name your team! We will use your team name throughout the competition.
Is there a schedule?
Is there a schedule?
Yes, the Migration Data Challenge 2025 will begin virtually on May 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. MT, with an introduction to the competition and the datasets. Teams will then have until May 11, 2026, at 9:59 p.m. MT to complete their research and submit their findings. There will also be a Flagship Event on May 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. MT, where the top 10 semi-finalist teams will present their final reports to a panel of judges. In order to participate, you must be available for both the May 1 session and the May 29 presentation event.
Will there be prizes?
Will there be prizes?
Yes! Prizes are awarded for teams based on their analyses and presentations during the competition. In total, $10,000 will be awarded to the winning teams.
Will my team get any support during the challenge?
Will my team get any support during the challenge?
Yes, participants can book time with mentors from the Bridging Divides research team, civil society, and industry. Mentors will provide limited support based on their availability and areas of expertise. There will also be a policy training workshop.
I have more questions. Who should I talk to?
I have more questions. Who should I talk to?
Contact Maggie Perzyna (mperzyna@torontomu.ca) if you have any questions.
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