FAQs

The process to answer the Call for Participation is straightforward.

Go to Code for Earth’s website and choose from the stream or challenge for which you would like to submit your proposal, agree to Code for Earth’s Terms & Conditions, Data Protection and Privacy statement and click “submit”.

 Before you submit your proposal, you might want to see our tips on what makes a good proposal:

   • it is well structured and precise

   • the solution proposed is technically feasible within 4 months

   • it contains a clear timeline with milestones and deliverables defined

Code for Earth is hosted online, allowing participation from anywhere with internet access. There is no physical location. 

The overall program is open to citizens from EU Member States, countries associated with EU’s Space Programme (currently Iceland, Norway and United Kingdom) and countries associated with EU’s Digital Europe Programme (currently Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, Moldova, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ukraine).

We welcome proposal submissions by individuals or teams. If you are registering as a team, we ask that one team member register with a personal email and you indicate the other team members in the form.

If you are interested in learning and working with ECMWF’s software and data, want to apply skills like AI/ML to Copernicus data or Destination Earth please have a look at the challenges on GitHub and submit a proposal to one you are most interested in.

Please use GitHub also as channel to ask related clarifying questions to tailor your submission. At the same time, these questions might be also useful for others interested in the challenge.

The submitted proposals will be evaluated by a committee based on the criteria below. On Github you can find the relevant criteria for each challenge:

• Comprehensibility
  Is your proposal sound, understandable and has it a clear timeline with defined milestones?
• Clarity and structure
  Is your proposal clearly described and well structured?
• Feasibility
  Is your proposal manageable and technical feasible in four months’ time?
• Future-proof approach / Easy-to-maintain
  Does your proposal contain a plan for maintenance of the project after the final event?
• Innovative approach (if applicable)
  How innovative is your approach? Does it follow latest technology trends?
• Transferability (if applicable)
  Does your proposal include a plan to transfer the solution into the ECMWF ecosystem or the broader open source community?
• Matching requirements
  How well does your proposal match the full description of the challenge? Does it capture the original ideal?

The evaluation committee can request a clarification meeting with a team in case there are any questions on the submitted proposal.

The committee can give your proposal in each selected category up to five points. The proposals with the highest overall number will be selected.

There are many reasons to submit a proposal and to get involved in Code for Earth.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore new technologies and tools, gain hands-on experience or to develop additional technical skills that have a real-world impact. It’s also a great way to meet and collaborate with experts and mentors from ECMWF and partnering organisations and expand your professional network.

Participating in Code for Earth can help enhance your resumé, allow you to contribute to open source projects, and potentially earn 5,000 Euro stipend (per challenge) if your team is selected and successfully finish the project.

There are three different Code for Earth streams under which you can submit a proposal:

Stream 1: Data Visualization and visual narratives for Earth Sciences applications * 

Are you a data enthusiast who loves exploring new ways to handle and visualize data? Then this stream is perfect for you! Get ready to be inspired and showcase your innovative ideas by taking on one of the exciting challenges in this event.

Why wait? Join us now and let’s revolutionize the way we approach data together!

Stream 2: Machine Learning for Earth Sciences applications *

Are you interested in exploring the intersection of machine learning and earth sciences? Then the challenges under this stream are a great opportunity for you! By participating, you’ll have the chance to work on cutting-edge projects with other like-minded individuals and develop your skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Let us know your innovative ideas related to one of these challenges!

Stream 3: Software Development for Earth Sciences applications *

Are you a software developer with a keen interest in weather forecasting, climate data or atmosphere monitoring? Check the challenges under this stream and propose an innovative solution to the one that better suits your skills, expertise and preferences.

Show us your ideas and potential to enhance Earth Sciences through software development.

* Successful projects will be eligible to a stipend of €5,000 and if applicable, cloud credits from the European Weather Cloud or WEkEO.

There is no cost involved to apply and participate in the programme.

   • Submission deadline: 01 April 2025, 23:59 CET

   • Announcement of selected proposals and participants: 29 April 2025

   • Project development and coding phase: 2 May to 31 August 2025

   • Final Code for Earth Day @ECMWF in Bologna, Italy: 16 September 2025