2025 MoonBit Global Programming Innovation Challenge Regulations

1、About the Competition​

The 2025 MoonBit Global Programming Innovation Challenge is officially open! A professional challenge for developers worldwide, the event aims to advance disciplines related to computer software development and serve the national talent strategy in foundational software and AI cloud-native fields. The inaugural edition attracted over 1,888 teams from leading universities, including Tsinghua University, University of Cambridge, Sun Yat-sen University, and HKUST (Guangzhou), and received broad recognition from both academia and industry.

2、Track Introduction​

Programming Language Design & Implementation Track Focuses on applying a broad range of knowledge (including but not limited to compiler techniques, operating systems, and computer architecture). Participants are challenged to design and implement a comprehensive compiler system, demonstrating their ability to construct and optimize compilers for specific target platforms.

3、Timeline​

• July 21 – Competition Launch
• Aug 15 – Project Submission Opens
• Nov 13 – Preliminary Deadline
• Nov 19 – Finalists Announced
• Nov 23 – On-site Grand Finals in Shenzhen

4、Competition Phases​

1. The competition consists of two phases: Preliminary and Final. The preliminary round will be conducted entirely online. From the top-performing teams in the Compiler Track, a total of 5 teams will be selected (with the team leader as the designated representative, subject to adjustment depending on actual circumstances) to qualify for the Final Roadshow. Based on the roadshow presentations, combined with competition rules and evaluation standards, scores will be given and the final results will be announced on the day of the finals.

To encourage award-winning teams, the organizers may arrange a one-day field trip to leading enterprises. Outstanding participants may be offered interview or internship opportunities provided by these enterprises.

Registration Quotas and Requirements​

1. Participation is based on team registration. Each team may consist of 1–5 members; single-person teams are also allowed and will be regarded as independent teams.

2. Each team may only register for the Compiler Track. Teams must select this track at registration, and their performance will serve as the sole basis for qualification into the finals.

3. Each participant may only join one team. Duplicate registrations or creating multiple teams under different identities are not permitted. The organizers will verify participant information; if duplicate registrations, false information, or impersonation are found, the team’s qualification will be revoked.

4. Each team may have up to two advisors. Advisors may guide multiple teams from the same institution. Advisors are responsible for guiding topic selection, organizing students for pre-competition training, encouraging the use of designated platforms for project design and implementation, and acting as liaisons between the school and the organizing committee during the competition. This requirement applies to teams registered under a university.

5. Each participant must be 14 years or older. Each team must include at least one adult and must appoint a team leader, who will represent the team in all communications and prize collection. Team members are responsible for distributing responsibilities internally. In case of disputes (e.g., regarding prize distribution), the organizers and executing units will not intervene.

6. The competition is open to global developers.

7. Participants must ensure that the information they provide is true, accurate, lawful, and valid. By registering, participants agree and authorize the organizers, within the limits of the law, to collect, store, and use participant data (including but not limited to name, gender, phone number, email address, ID number, photo, bank account number, etc.) for the following purposes:

   • For competition registration, travel arrangements related to the finals, and prize distribution.

   • For use in competition-related public relations materials, advertising, or promotional activities.

Registration​

1. Participants may register through the official MoonBit competition webpage and access teaching materials: https://www.moonbitlang.cn/2025-mgpic/

2. At the time of registration, each team must submit its information via the online registration page, including team name, names of team members, relevant skills, and project experience. Teams must ensure that the information provided is true and valid, and that contact details remain accurate and accessible. False information or failure to maintain contact may affect registration status or lead to disqualification.。

Participation Fees​

1. The competition does not charge any registration fees, participation fees, review fees, or platform usage fees.
2. For representatives participating in the National Finals and the Award Ceremony, transportation and accommodation costs will be covered by the organizers (specific travel schedules will be determined by the organizers).。

5、Competition Management​

Preliminary Round​

1. Compiler Track Teams must submit their works and related source code on the official competition website as required by the guidelines. Review experts will evaluate the submissions using the testing system, which will assign objective scores based on performance. Teams will then be ranked, and finalists will be determined according to these rankings.

National Finals​

1. In principle, five teams from the Compiler Track will qualify for the finals and participate on-site, with the team leader serving as the official representative.
2. The Finals will be organized by the competition committee. Evaluation criteria differ across tracks, but will generally include project demonstration, performance testing, system presentation, and Q&A defense. Final awards will be determined based on the overall scores of these components.
3. Teams must participate in the finals as required by the committee. Teams that fail to attend will be deemed to have forfeited their qualification.
4. Award-winning teams must follow the prize distribution process and rules announced by the organizers. This may include, but is not limited to, providing copies of ID cards, bank account details, and other required information, as well as signing relevant award documents. Failure to comply may result in the prize not being issued.
5. Teams qualifying for the finals must publish their source code under an OSI-approved open-source license after the competition concludes. Teams are encouraged to use mainstream hosting platforms such as GitHub. Recommended licenses can be found at: https://opensource.org/licenses

6、Prizes​

7、Intellectual Property and Academic Integrity​

• Unless otherwise specified, the intellectual property rights of the submitted works belong to the participating teams.
• Participating teams must comply with relevant intellectual property laws and regulations. They must not infringe upon the intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties, nor may they share or publicly release works or software involving the intellectual property of other organizations without permission. Any resulting legal liability shall be borne solely by the team. The organizers, co-organizers, and supporting units assume no legal responsibility.
• Participating teams must ensure academic integrity. Once code plagiarism, technical plagiarism, or other forms of academic misconduct are confirmed, or if code similarity exceeds 50%, the team’s qualification will be revoked and the team will be placed on the competition’s blacklist.
• By registering for the competition, participants agree that the organizers may publicly release the source code of entries in each track. The organizers retain the right to use the works for demonstration and publication free of charge (excluding technical details). Any use of the works for commercial profit must be negotiated with the team, with a formal agreement signed upon the team’s consent.

8、 Communication and Publicity​

• The competition is committed to advancing computer software development, nurturing innovative talent in programming languages, and cultivating a pipeline of future professionals in this fundamental software field. It also provides a platform for academic and innovative exchange and collaboration. Teams are encouraged to engage in various forms of interaction and exchange during the competition. Outstanding works and teams will be promoted during the event.
• The organizers welcome the participation of institutions and organizations from the industry in organizing, problem-setting, promotion, sponsorship, and other activities to enhance the quality and influence of the competition.
• By registering for the competition, participants agree to grant the organizers the right to use their portrait (image rights) for the purpose of competition-related publicity only.
• For publicity cooperation or related inquiries, please contact: jichuruanjian@idea.edu.cn

9、Competition Organization​

• Guiding Unit: Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Shenzhen Park Development Bureau
• Organizer: International Digital Economy Academy (IDEA), Greater Bay Area Digital Economy Research Institute
• Co-organizers: Tencent Cloud Computing (Beijing) Co., Ltd.; Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone Development Co., Ltd.
• Partners: Institute of Software, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou); School of Software Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University
• Competition Platform: Alibaba Cloud Tianchi

To ensure the smooth progress of the competition, the MoonBit Programming Innovation Challenge has established an Honorary Advisory Committee, a Competition Organizing Committee, and a Review Committee to provide guidance, execution, and supervision of the competition’s organization, operations, and award evaluations.

Honorary Advisory Committee Members (listed in order of surname strokes):

• Dr. Harry Shum (沈向洋) – Foreign Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering; Chairman of the Council, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

• Dr. Chen Zhao (赵琛) – Director, Institute of Software, Chinese Academy of Sciences

• Prof. Mingxuan Ni (倪明选) – IEEE Life Fellow; Academician of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences; Founding President, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)

Special Notes​

By registering for the competition, participants are deemed to have agreed to and voluntarily comply with all contents of the Participation Confirmation Letter.

The Organizing Committee reserves the right of final interpretation of this plan and has the authority to adjust the competition process and related requirements based on actual circumstances.

For inquiries, participants are invited to join the official competition Q&A group (QQ: 914387051) or search WeChat ID: moonbit_helper.

Participants are invited to join the official Competition Q&A Group on QQ for inquiries and discussion:

This group serves as the official channel for answering questions and providing updates during the competition.