Master’s in Neuroscience and Data Science: Connecting to International Research and the High-Tech/Biotech Industries

Bar-Ilan Launches a Groundbreaking International Master’s Program in Neuroscience and Data Science

Bar-Ilan University’s Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center has developed a unique international Master’s program in neuroscience and data science, designed to train a new generation of researchers with deep expertise in both disciplines. Students will study and conduct research at Bar-Ilan and leading academic institutions across Europe, gaining training in neuroscience and data science while acquiring practical skills in neural data analysis, advanced neurotechnology, and computational neuroscience.

An equally important goal of the program is to deepen our understanding of how the human brain functions and to harness this knowledge for the benefit of humanity by developing treatments for psychiatric disorders using artificial intelligence and cognitive modeling. The program, a joint initiative with top European universities, recently received a €3.7 million grant from the European Union.

Meeting the Needs of the High-Tech Industry

According to Prof. Alon Korngreen, Head of the Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, this grant and the recognition it brings mark a new era for Bar-Ilan and its students. “For the first time, an Israeli university has received funding as part of a consortium of leading European universities to offer a unique international master’s program combining neuroscience and data science, with a strong emphasis on neuro-AI integration and brain-inspired computing,” he says.

The innovative study tracks launched at the Brain Research Center in recent years are closely aligned with the needs of the high-tech and startup industries, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and human-AI collaboration. The strength of these programs lies in their multidisciplinary nature, uniting researchers from biology, physiology, psychology, computer science, linguistics, physics, and mathematics under one roof. Thanks to these programs, the center has successfully led university-based research groups to win the prestigious Erasmus Mundus grant for developing this Master’s program for outstanding science students.

Equipping Students for the Realities of the 21st Century

“The next generation of brain researchers must know how to handle and interpret massive data sets, especially in an era of large language models and advanced AI technologies,” says Prof. Korngreen, who spearheaded the initiative. Partner universities from Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Finland, and the Netherlands have joined Israel in this unique project. “This program fills a major gap—it provides essential training in neuroscience and data science while also integrating advanced computational neuroscience and cognitive modeling.”

The program is designed to prepare students to work effectively in the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century. The ability to conduct research and interpret big data—combined with expertise in neurotechnology and brain-inspired computing—is expected to lead to major breakthroughs in understanding the brain and treating neurological disorders.

“This grant positions Bar-Ilan University as a national leader in advanced, international academic training—well ahead of other institutions in Israel. It will allow us to attract top students from around the world and strengthen our international reputation.”

The program’s holistic approach will enable students to develop interdisciplinary thinking and new research methodologies, while also contributing to knowledge-driven economic and social development—particularly in fields like human-AI collaboration and neuro-AI integration. Presenting this program to European academic institutions will help cultivate a new generation of multidisciplinary researchers equipped to tackle one of humanity’s most complex challenges: understanding the human brain, both in health and in disease.

For Israeli students, participation in this program offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of this groundbreaking field and to lead future research combining large language models with deep insights into the human brain.

To learn more about the programs at Bar-Ilan’s Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center