CIFAR Helmholtz Fall School on Data Science & the Brain
In partnership, HIDA and CIFAR are organizing an in-person school in Montreal for graduate and postgraduate students, exploring the intersection of data science and brain research.
Through various talks and hands-on collaborative sessions, participants will bridge methodological rigor with conceptual innovation.
The School aims to create a community of early-career researchers fluent in both brain and data sciences to engage in interdisciplinary conversations!
Potential sub-themes include:
- Interpreting Large-Scale Brain Data
- Brain Data for AI Innovation
- Neuroethics, AI Governance & Cognitive Liberty
- Neuro-inspired AI
- Data sharing / open source software development
Note: Funding for participation is available!
Look forward to:
- Expert speakers: Engage with internationally renowned speakers through keynotes, lectures, and discussions.
- Hands-on collaborative learning: Participate in interactive sessions and group work that combine data science approaches with challenges in brain research.
- Mentoring: Benefit from dedicated mentoring opportunities, roundtable discussions, and close interaction with leading experts.
- Networking opportunities: Connect with peers and researchers from the Helmholtz and CIFAR communities.
Please note that the timetable will be published soon and continuously updated.
Target Group & Prerequisites
This Fall School aims to bring together a diverse and interdisciplinary group of participants who work with data science methods / AI. You do not need to work in Neuroscience to attend.
You will need baseline proficiency in Python for participation in the hands-on sessions as a central part of this Fall School.
Participants must be PhD candidates or postdoctoral fellows either affiliated with Helmholtz or as a student of a CIFAR program member. The Summer School will include equal participation from Helmholtz researchers and CIFAR program trainees.
For Helmholtz spots, applications from the seven Helmholtz Information & Data Science Schools - IDEAS, MUDs, HIDSS4Health, MarDATA, HDS-LEE, HEIBRIDS, DASHH - will be given priority.
Selected participants may receive funding of up to €2,000 to help cover travel, accommodation, and meal costs. Further details will be provided with the admission notification!
Application
Register for the CIFAR Helmholtz Fall School by clicking the button! You will receive feedback on your application at the end of June. Please wait for an official confirmation before making any travel arrangements.
Deadline: June 17, 2026
Further questions on the Fall School? Please contact us: hida-courses@helmholtz.de!
Our partner: CIFAR
CIFAR is an independent, non-profit research organization based in Toronto, Canada. Since 1982, CIFAR has brought together outstanding researchers from across the globe to tackle the most pressing and complex questions facing humanity. Its mission is to catalyze breakthroughs by supporting long-term, interdisciplinary research that crosses traditional boundaries.
At the core of CIFAR’s approach are its research programs – long-term collaborations of top-tier scientists working across disciplines, institutions, and borders. These programs address challenges such as artificial intelligence, brain and mind, child and youth development, Earth resilience, and the future of democracy and society.
CIFAR is not only committed to advancing fundamental science, but also to translating research into real-world impact – by informing public policy, guiding innovation, and shaping the broader public conversation.
