diff --git a/models/Project.js b/models/Project.js
index c27edc1..df53b8d 100755
--- a/models/Project.js
+++ b/models/Project.js
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ const schema = new Schema({
     required: true
   },
   tags: {
-    type: Array,
+    type: String,
     required: true,
-    default: []
+    default: ''
   },
   rocketChatWebhook: {type: String, required: false},
   rocketChatChannelName: {type: String, required: false},
diff --git a/services/ChallengeService.js b/services/ChallengeService.js
index 7ecaa9d..6bcf787 100644
--- a/services/ChallengeService.js
+++ b/services/ChallengeService.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ const dbHelper = require('../utils/db-helper');
  * @param {Object} event the event
  */
 async function handleChallengeTagsUpdate(event) {
-  const tags = event.data.tags;
+  const tags = event.data.tags.split(',');
   await Promise.all(
     event.data.challengeUUIDsList.map(async (challengeUUIDs) => {
       if (_.isString(challengeUUIDs)) { // repoUrl
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ process.schema = Joi.object().keys({
     challengeUUIDsList: Joi.array().items(
       Joi.alternatives().try(Joi.string(), Joi.array().items(Joi.string()))
     ).required(),
-    tags: Joi.array().items(Joi.string().required()).min(1).required()
+    tags: Joi.string().required()
   }).required(),
   retryCount: Joi.number().integer().default(0).optional()
 });
diff --git a/services/CopilotPaymentService.js b/services/CopilotPaymentService.js
index 6e54afe..7189510 100644
--- a/services/CopilotPaymentService.js
+++ b/services/CopilotPaymentService.js
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ async function handlePaymentAdd(event, payment) {
       const newChallenge = {
         name: challengeTitle,
         projectId: project.tcDirectId,
-        tags: project.tags,
+        tags: project.tags.split(','),
         detailedRequirements: challengeRequirements,
         prizes: [payment.amount],
         reviewType: 'INTERNAL'
diff --git a/services/IssueService.js b/services/IssueService.js
index 0c309f3..7413f11 100755
--- a/services/IssueService.js
+++ b/services/IssueService.js
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@ async function handleIssueCreate(event, issue, forceAssign = false) {
     issue.challengeUUID = await topcoderApiHelper.createChallenge({
       name: issue.title,
       projectId,
-      tags: project.tags,
+      tags: project.tags.split(','),
       detailedRequirements: issue.body,
       prizes: issue.prizes
     });