# Prize Claiming Guide for a China-Based Student

Checked date: 2026-06-08.

This guide records what to prepare if EvidenceOps Agent wins a cash prize in a Devpost-style online hackathon.

## Current Best Prize Target

Brand Portals for Brands is the strongest low-competition target currently selected.

- Event: https://brand.devpost.com/
- Deadline: June 25, 2026, 11:45 PM IST.
- Public prize pool: `$57,500` cash.
- Grand prize: `$50,000` cash.
- Second place: `$5,000` cash.
- Third place: `$2,500` cash.
- Public participant count observed by search index: under 100, making it a lower-competition target than many large AI hackathons.

## China Student Eligibility Notes

The Brand Portals public page lists:

- Students only.
- Above legal age of majority in country of residence.
- Companies/professional organizations excluded.
- All countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

Devpost's standard global exceptions currently list Brazil, Quebec, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and any other OFAC-designated country. China is not listed in that standard exception article.

Practical conclusion: a China-based student appears eligible if they are above China's age of majority and can verify student status. Final eligibility is still decided by the organizer or Devpost.

## Information to Prepare Now

Do not invent these values. Use legal and school records.

1. Full legal name in English/pinyin.
2. Date of birth.
3. City, province, and country of residence.
4. Email address used on Devpost.
5. School English name.
6. Current student level: college, high school, or middle school.
7. Graduation month and year.
8. Student proof if requested, such as student ID, enrollment certificate, or school email.
9. Government ID/passport information if prize verification requires it.

## Tax and Payment Documents

Devpost says prize winners may receive an email from `prizes@devpost.com` to verify eligibility and provide personal details. For non-U.S. residents, some hackathon rules mention a W-8BEN tax form may be required.

Prepare:

- Passport or other accepted identity document.
- Completed W-8BEN if Devpost or the sponsor requests U.S. tax documentation.
- Chinese tax ID / resident identity information if requested by the payment provider.
- A payment account or bank account matching the legal name.

## Can a Domestic Chinese Bank Card Receive the Prize?

Maybe, but do not rely on an ordinary UnionPay debit card alone.

The safest preparation is:

- A bank account under your legal name.
- The bank's English name.
- SWIFT/BIC code for international wire transfer.
- Bank branch address in English.
- Account number.
- Account holder name in English/pinyin.

Some sponsors use payment processors instead of direct wire transfer. They may support PayPal, Wise, ACH/wire, or other payout methods depending on country and compliance checks. If only PayPal is offered, a domestic card may not be enough by itself.

## How Prize Claiming Usually Works

1. Wait for winner announcement.
2. Watch the Devpost account email and spam folder.
3. If contacted by `prizes@devpost.com` or the sponsor, complete eligibility verification.
4. Submit tax/payment forms through the official link only.
5. Keep copies of all submitted forms and confirmation emails.
6. Do not pay any fee to "release" a prize; that is a scam pattern.

## Immediate User Action Needed

Complete Devpost student eligibility fields with:

1. School English name.
2. Current student level.
3. Graduation month/year.
4. Birth month/year.

Then retry Brand Portals registration and BrandKity account creation.
