Migration Data Challenge 2026
Uncover Insights. Tell Stories with Data. Drive Impact.
Overview
Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge 2026
How do housing patterns differ between immigrant and non-immigrant households in Canadian cities? The Bridging Divides Migration Data Challenge invites student teams to explore this question using real housing data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
Key dates
- Registration deadline: April 1, 2026
- Challenge kickoff event: May 1, 2026
- Challenge week: May 1 to 11, 2026
- Flagship event for semi-finalists: May 29, 2026
The challenge: Mapping urban belonging
Over 10 days, teams analyze statistical data, identify patterns and present their findings.
No previous experience with housing data is required. We recommend forming interdisciplinary teams, where each member contributes different skills—including someone with strong statistical analysis expertise.
Participants receive training and mentorship to help them understand the dataset and develop their analysis.
What students will investigate?
Teams will explore questions such as:
- Where do immigrants live within Canadian cities?
- Are immigrant households more likely to rent or own homes?
- How do housing patterns differ between immigrant and non-immigrant families?
What teams will do
Participants will:
- Work with CMHC housing and demographic data
- Look for trends and differences between households
- Create charts, maps or visualizations to explain their findings
- Present their results to a panel of experts
Competition structure and prizes
- Data Distribution: On May 1, 2026, participants will receive simplified datasets and guidelines to jump-start their analysis.
- Timeframe: Teams will have until May 11, 2026 to complete their research and submit findings.
- Final Presentations: 10 semi-finalist teams will present to a distinguished panel of interdisciplinary judges, in a virtual flagship event that will be streamed internationally.
Judges from government, industry and academia will select the winners.
Total prizes: $10,000
- $5,000 — Best overall submission
- Additional prizes awarded to other top teams
Who can participate
Students from any discipline are encouraged to take part.
You may be interested if you study:
- social sciences
- urban studies
- public policy
- data science
- engineering
- computer science
- geography
- design or visualization
- journalism or communications
If you are curious about housing, migration or cities, this challenge is an opportunity to explore real data and share your findings.
Frequently asked questions
Applications are due April 1, 2026 at 11:59pm ET. Note that spots are limited. Applying does not guarantee a spot.
The Migration Data Challenge 2026 is open to any undergraduate or graduate student registered full-time or part-time at Concordia University during the 2025-26 academic year. Applicants from Bridging Divides partners: the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta and Toronto Metropolitan University, must apply through their home institutions. All applicant teams must be composed of students from the same university.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, the Migration Data Challenge 2026 will begin virtually on May 1, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET, with an introduction to the competition and the datasets. Teams will then have until May 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET to complete their research and submit their findings.
There will also be a Flagship Event on May 29, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET, 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 1st session and the May 29th presentation event.
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.
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.
Questions?
Contact Maggie Perzyna (mperzyna@torontomu.ca) if you have any questions.
Support
This initiative is presented by Bridging Divides.
