Dear colleagues,
The deadline for application to the 2026 Nengo Summer School has been extended to
15 January, 2026 Anywhere On Earth.
The Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo is excited to announce our 11th annual Nengo summer school on large-scale brain modelling and neuromorphic computing. This two-week school will teach participants to use the Nengo simulation
package to build state-of-the-art cognitive and neural models to run both in simulation and on neuromorphic hardware. Summer school participants will be given on-site access to neuromorphic hardware and will learn to run high-level applications using Nengo!
More generally, Nengo provides users with a versatile and powerful environment for designing cognitive and neural systems and has been used to build what is currently the world's largest functional brain model, Spaun, which includes spiking deep learning,
reinforcement learning, adaptive motor control, and cognitive control networks.
For a look at the last in-person summer school, check out this short video:
We welcome applications from all interested graduate students, postdocs, professors, and industry professionals with a relevant background.
Application Deadline EXTENDED: January 15th, 2026
Format: A combination of tutorials and project-based work. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas for projects, which may focus on testing hypotheses, creating models to account for neural or cognitive data, implementing specific behavioural functions
with neurons, expanding past models, or providing a proof-of-concept of various neural mechanisms. Hands-on tutorials, individual or group projects, and talks from invited faculty members will make up the bulk of day-to-day activities. A project demonstration
event will be held on the last day of the school, with prizes for strong projects!
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Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to:
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interface Nengo with various kinds of neuromorphic hardware (e.g. BrainDrop, SpiNNaker)
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build perceptual, motor, and sophisticated cognitive models using spiking neurons
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build models to account for anatomical, electrophysiological, cognitive, and behavioural data
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use a variety of single cell models within a large-scale model
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integrate machine learning methods into biologically oriented models
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interface Nengo with cameras and robotic systems
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implement modern nonlinear control methods in neural models
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neurally implement vector symbolic architecture algorithms
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and much more…
Date and Location: May 31st to June 12th, 2026 at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Applications: Please visit
http://www.nengo.ai/summer-school, where you can find more information regarding costs, travel, lodging, along with an application form listing required materials.
If you have any questions about the school or the application process, please contact:
Madeleine Bartlett: madeleine.bartlett@uwaterloo.ca
Kathryn Simone: kpsimone@uwaterloo.ca
The school is partly supported by ABR, Inc.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Kathryn Simone, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Neuroscience Research Group
Department of Systems Design Engineering
University of Waterloo