#Page-Top "Page Top"
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#What-is "What-is"

What is the Annual BCI Award?

 

The International BCI Award, endowed with USD 6,000, is one of the world's leading recognitions for outstanding innovation in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) research.

Since 2010, the International BCI Award has recognized pioneering research that advances Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neurotechnology. It celebrates innovations that improve the interaction between the human brain and technology and shape the future of neuroscience, rehabilitation, communication, and human-machine interaction.

Each year, 12 outstanding BCI projects are nominated from around the world.

Why Become a BCI Award Nominee?

All 12 nominated projects receive international visibility and are invited to:

 

Visibility

  • International scientific recognition
  • Global visibility within the BCI and neurotechnology community
  • Worldwide exposure through Springer publications, podcasts, conferences, and the BCI Award network

Eligibility

  • Open to researchers, students, companies, startups, clinicians, and research groups worldwide.
  • There are no restrictions regarding the hardware, software, or experimental platform used.
  • All submissions are evaluated by an independent international jury.
  • Jury members are not permitted to vote for projects from their own research group.

Impact

The nominated projects of recent BCI Awards have collectively secured well over EUR 100 million in competitive research funding, highlighting the exceptional quality and long-term impact of the innovations recognized by the award.

Sponsored by

The International BCI Award is proudly sponsored by g.tec medical engineering GmbH.

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Winning or being nominated for the International BCI Award places researchers among the world's leading innovators in Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neurotechnology.
 

– Dr. Christoph Guger
President of the BCI Award Foundation
CEO at g.tec medical engineering GmbH

#Categories "Categories"

The BCI Award 2027 Categories
 

Non-Invasive BCI Research Award

Recognizing outstanding research using non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, including EEG, fNIRS, MEG, and related technologies.

Invasive BCI Research Award

Recognizing groundbreaking research using invasive brain recording technologies such as ECoG, sEEG, intracortical recordings, and other implantable neural interfaces.

BCI Technology Innovation Award


Recognizing outstanding technological innovation in BCI hardware, software, algorithms, wearable systems, clinical technologies, or enabling tools that significantly advance the field.

Prize

Each category winner receives: USD 2,000 and the prestigious Gert Pfurtscheller Bread Knife.

A keynote lecture invitation to the BCI & Neurotechnology Spring School, the world's largest educational event dedicated to Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neurotechnology.

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#Submission "Submission"

‌‌‌ SUBMISSION OPEN! 
 

5 STEPS TO SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT

1. Prepare Your Project Description

Write a clear and concise description of your project in English (maximum 2 pages). Begin with a short executive summary of 3–5 sentences highlighting the key idea, innovation, and significance of your work.

2. Include the Required Information

Your submission should include:

  • Project title
  • Full name(s) of the author(s)
  • Affiliation(s)
  • Contact information
  • Brief project description
  • Current status of the work
  • Images, figures, and tables (if appropriate)

3. Create a Short Video

Prepare a 2-minute video (16:9 format) introducing your project and explaining its main contribution. The presentation must be spoken in English or include English subtitles.

4. Submit Your Entry

Submit your PDF project description together with your two-minute project video to:

submit@bci-award.com

before the official submission deadline.

5. Attend the BCI Award Ceremony

The 12 nominated projects will be notified approximately one month before the BCI Award Ceremony. All nominees are invited to present their work during the virtual BCI Award Ceremony or may appoint a delegate to present on their behalf.

We encourage researchers, clinicians, engineers, students, startups, and companies from around the world to submit their most innovative Brain-Computer Interface projects. We look forward to celebrating the next generation of BCI innovations with the global neurotechnology community.

 

SCORING CRITERIA

All submissions are evaluated by an independent international jury based on scientific excellence, innovation, and their potential impact on the field of Brain-Computer Interfaces.

While no single criterion determines the outcome, highly ranked projects typically demonstrate outstanding performance in several of the following areas:

  • Innovation: Does the project introduce a novel BCI concept, application, or use case?
  • Methodology: Does it present a new methodological approach or significantly improve upon existing techniques?
  • User Benefit: Does the project provide a meaningful benefit for end users, patients, or researchers?
  • Performance: Does it improve communication speed, information transfer rate, or overall system efficiency?
  • Accuracy: Does it demonstrate improved classification, decoding, or control performance?
  • Clinical Impact: Does the project include results obtained from patients or other intended end users?
  • Real-Time Operation: Does the system operate online and in real time?
  • Usability: Does the project improve ease of use, user experience, robustness, or practical deployment?
  • Technology: Does it introduce innovative hardware, software, algorithms, or integrated BCI technologies?
  • Scientific Rigor: Are the experimental design, validation, and results scientifically sound and well documented?
  • Potential Impact: Does the project have the potential to significantly advance the field of Brain-Computer Interfaces or improve patient care?

The jury also considers the overall originality, technical quality, significance, and potential impact of each submission on the future of Brain-Computer Interfaces and Neurotechnology.

Confidentiality

All submitted projects are treated confidentially throughout the evaluation process.

The 12 nominated projects will be invited to publish a chapter in the BCI State-of-the-Art book series published by Springer, providing international visibility for their work and contributing to one of the leading reference books in the BCI field.

 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE 

January 15, 2027

 

 

NOMINEES ANNOUNCEMENT

March 1, 2027

 

The 12 nominated projects will be announced and invited to present their work during the BCI Award Ceremony.

Following the presentations, the winners of the three award categories will be announced:

  • Non-Invasive BCI Research AwardUSD 2,000
  • Invasive BCI Research AwardUSD 2,000
  • BCI Technology Innovation AwardUSD 2,000

Each winner will also receive the prestigious Gert Pfurtscheller Bread Knife and be invited to give a keynote lecture at the BCI & Neurotechnology Spring School.

 

BCI Award at a glance

 

  • Established in 2010
  • Hundreds of submissions from leading universities, hospitals, and research laboratories worldwide
  • More than EUR 100 million in competitive research funding secured by nominated projects
  • More than 200 nominated projects since 2010
  • 17th International BCI Award
  • USD 6,000 Prize Fund
  • 12 International Nominees every year
  • 3 Award Categories
  • Published by Springer
  • Worldwide Participation
  • Independent International Jury
  • A global network of leading BCI researchers and innovators
 
 
 
 
 
#Jury "Jury"

Jury of The BCI Award 2027
 

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Peter Brunner, PhD

Chair of International BCI Award Jury

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, USA

 

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Dr. Christian Herff

Associate Professor

Maastricht University
Netherlands

 

 

#Video "Video"