NYC School of Data 2026

Join us for our annual community-driven public interest technology conference. Participants come to learn, network, and collaborate around public interest technology and data in New York City. With programming support from the Open Data Team at the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation, our conference convenes city officials, technologists, designers, data analysts, and community members around open data, civic technology, and service design in New York City.

In 2026, our conference will be a two-day affair at CUNY School of Law on March 28-29, 2026, to commemorate the 16th anniversary of International Open Data Day, the 14th anniversary of the City’s transformative Open Data Law, and the 10th anniversary of Open Data Week and NYC School of Data!

Day 1, Saturday, March 28, 2026: NYC School of Data 

Day 2, Sunday, March 29, 2026: UnSchool of Data

Our two-day program brings a fascinating weekend full of panels, workshops, demos, talks, presentations, and office hours with NYC agencies. Conversations will cover open data, digital equity, service design and delivery, digital literacy, data standards, and civic engagement. We want to equip YOU with tools and information to build a better civic society for ALL New Yorkers.

Tickets and Opportunities:

What is included in my ticket? All tickets include: Full day(s) of programming, light breakfast, coffee, and snacks.

Day 1 Tickets include: Full day of programming, light breakfast, coffee, snacks, and lunch.

Day 2 Tickets include: Full day of programming, light breakfast, coffee, and snacks. 

Lunch is excluded on Day 2, and you will need to bring your own (BYO!).

Sustaining Donors to BetaNYC will receive complimentary weekend pass tickets. Thank you for your support!

Please note that day passes (tickets for Day 1 only or Day 2 only) will launch in early February.

Do you work for a Government agency / department? If you work for a government agency / department and want to purchase tickets by check or purchase order (PO), government ticket opportunities close on Wednesday, 25 March, by 5:00 PM. Please email < schoolofdata+govticket@beta.nyc >.

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Learn more and apply directly at < https://schoolofdata.nyc/2026-volunteer/ >. If you have any questions, email us at < schoolofdata+vol@beta.nyc >.

Press and Media, want to cover the event?

Media credentials are available to reporters, editors working as reporters, producers, video camera operators, and still photographers who present valid press identification. If you want to attend to cover a session or the event, email us your valid press identification to < schoolofdata+press@beta.nyc >. We will follow up.

Sponsors, want to support the conference?

We’re looking for mission-aligned sponsors to support conference costs such as meals, coffee, and childcare. Learn more about our opportunities to support by filling out this form.

Come learn and contribute to the next decade of technology, data, and policy — by us, for us!

General Event Information:

Looking for the program? Stay tuned for announcements about this year’s program by bookmarking schoolofdata.nyc, then signing up for BetaNYC’s weekly newsletter on LinkedIn or email.

Event Accessibility: This year’s venue is easily accessed by public transit, bike, bus, and car. The conference will be delivered in English and will use technical terms. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be provided upon request. We are exploring having the main stage presentations interpreted into ASL. The venue itself is ADA-compatible. All-gender restrooms are accessible on the third and fourth floors. There is an accessible lactation room on the second floor. Service animals are always accepted. If you need American Sign Language interpretation or have any other questions/concerns, please email us at < schoolofdata@beta.nyc >.

Childcare: We will provide professional, on-site childcare. We plan to launch our childcare tickets in early February—stay tuned! Space is limited, and you will need to pre-register for this free service using the Childcare Ticket option once it becomes available. If you want your child(ren) to attend the conference sessions themselves, they will need a separate attendee ticket. If you have any questions, please email us at < schoolofdata@beta.nyc >.

Code of Conduct: BetaNYC is committed to hosting safe and open spaces for all. By participating in this space, you are committing yourself to BetaNYC’s Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy.

Health Policy:If you’re not feeling well, PLEASE stay home. We strive to create a safe environment for everyone. (Please see our refund policy for questions.)

To attend this in-person event, we ask that everyone wear a high-quality mask at all times (except when eating or drinking). We will have ample KF-94 masks in various sizes for you to wear. Masks keep our staff, volunteers, and attendees safe. Masking helps prevent the spread of viruses — this is science, based on data!

Refund Policy: Contact us to request a refund. We will try to honor all of your refund requests at < schoolofdata+refund@beta.nyc >. Please note that some ticketing fees are nonrefundable.

Thank you 2026 Sponsors!

The following mission-aligned organizations are helping us cover conference costs and enable us to meet in 2026. Thank you!

Reinvent Albany advocates for transparent and accountable New York State government and increased transparency in New York City. We work to strengthen the Freedom of Information Law and put government information online, especially spending, contracting and budget information and we are vocal advocates for open data laws and practices. We also advocate for more accountable and better governed state authorities, including the MTA. We also work for transparent business subsidies and economic development spending rooted in facts and careful analysis. We seek to create a state government that is responsible, responsive and above board and thus we fight for public integrity measures and against laws and practices that increase the risk of corruption and favor the few and well connected over the public interest.