Neuro-Hackathon

SURGE Neurohackathon

Build it. Break it. Pitch it.

September 18–20, 2026 | Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

SURGE Neuro-Hackathon is a free, weekend-long, in-person hackathon where students from across Nova Scotia team up to tackle real-world problems using EEG neurotechnology. Teams are formed on-site — just show up ready to collaborate. You'll choose a problem to solve, use design thinking to build a working solution, and pitch it to a panel by the end of the weekend.

What you'll do

Over the course of the weekend, you'll:

• Get placed into an interdisciplinary team of fellow students, formed at the start of the event
• Choose a problem to solve
• Apply design thinking to shape your approach
• Use real EEG neurotechnology to build a working prototype
• Pitch your solution to a panel of judges

Themes

Projects can fall under one of three themes:

• Machine Learning
• Applications
• Hardware

Prizes

$500+ in prizes for winning teams.

Who can join

Any student currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia is welcome to participate — all disciplines, all skill levels, no prior neurotech experience required, but coding experience can be helpful. Students from other schools are also welcome to register. Science is for everyone!

Logistics

• When: September 18–20, 2026 (exact schedule to be sent closer to the event)
• Where: SURGE, Life Sciences Centre, Room 02660, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
• Format: In person
• Meals: Provided throughout the weekend
• Cost: Free
• Registration: Open now through the day of the event
• Questions: surge@dal.ca