2026 Data4Good Analytics Competition | Participant Guide + Discussion Forum

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The 2026 Data4Good Analytics Competition officially kicked off Friday, September 11th.

But not to worry! There is still time to register to participate.

Once you're signed up for the 2026 Data4Good Analytics Competition, this article serves two purposes:

• An easy-to-use participant guide with steps on how to access SAS academic resources, complete a SAS Knowledge Badge, use SAS software for your business case analysis, and earn competition points.
• A discussion forum where you can crowdsource support from the broader SAS Community.

How to succeed in the Data4Good Analytics Competition

1. Register for free SAS software: SAS Viya for Learners – A low- or no-code option, perfect for those new to analytics or SAS. 
2. Access free student learning resources: Join SAS Skill Builder for Students to get free access to digital learning to help you earn a SAS Knowledge Badge and earn competition points. Please note: an academic email address is required. 
3. Attend the upcoming SAS webinar: Join @LGroves Friday, October 9th at 12:30 pm ET for the SAS webinar, Beyond SAS Programming: Teaching the Full Data and AI Analytics Lifecycle with SAS Viya. Participants who attend live or watch the recording can earn competition points, learn how to complete a SAS Knowledge Badge, and see how SAS Viya can be used to solve the competition business challenge.
4. Earn a SAS Knowledge Badge and boost your competition score: We recommend you complete one of two SAS Knowledge Badges:
   
   • Foundations of Cloud Analytics Knowledge Badge
   • AI Foundations Knowledge Badge
   Please note: You will need access to SAS Skill Builder for Students to access these links and complete a SAS Knowledge Badge.
   Need more guidance? Check out this handy guide to earning a SAS Knowledge Badge. 
5. Start exploring the competition challenge with SAS: Review the competition business case and data, then use SAS Viya for Learners to explore the data, identify meaningful patterns, and begin developing evidence-based recommendations. Additional guidance and examples will be shared during the October 9 webinar.

Important Dates 

Last but not least, don’t forget to add these important dates to your calendar: 

Date	Event or Deliverable	Deadline to Complete	Points Awarded
Friday, September 11th, 2026	Registration Opens	ASAP!
Friday, September 11th, 2026 12:00-1:30 PM EDT  (Recording available)	Kick-off session	10/11/2026	250 (individual), 750 (team)
Friday, October 9, 2026 12:30-2:30 PM EDT (Recording available post-event)	Beyond SAS Programming: Teaching the Full Data and AI Analytics Lifecycle with SAS Viya	11/9/2026	250 (individual), 750 (team)
Can begin any time	Complete SAS Knowledge Badge	12/9/2026	850 (individual), 2550 (team)

Discussion Forum 

Have a question or hit a roadblock? Post it below. Whether you need help accessing SAS resources, completing a SAS Knowledge Badge, using SAS Viya for Learners, or approaching the competition challenge, the SAS Community is here to help.