EBRAINS welcomes Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences as new associate member

The membership will give ICS CAS the opportunity to co-design future iterations of EBRAINS’ cutting-edge tools and services. These state-of-the-art capabilities - which include an extensive range of brain data sets, a multilevel brain atlas, modelling and simulation tools, and access to high-performance computing resources and neuromorphic platforms - aim to help European researchers to address major challenges in brain health.

Based in Prague, the Institute of Computer Science of the Czech Academy of Sciences (ICS CAS) is a leading public research institution dedicated to advancing the frontiers of computer and data science. Founded in 1975, it has evolved into a modern, internationally renowned institution that seamlessly connects foundational science with real-world challenges.

The institute’s core mission is to conduct cutting-edge research across the mathematical foundations of computer science, artificial intelligence, computational modelling, and complex network analysis. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, ICS CAS leverages its expertise to tackle pressing global issues—from exploring the intricate complexity of the human brain to helping cities adapt to climate change and modelling epidemic spreading.

As an active contributor to the European research ecosystem, the institute provides robust scientific infrastructure, fosters international cooperation, and trains the next generation of scientists through collaborative doctoral programs. “At ICS CAS, we don't just study complexity—we build the tools to navigate it and turn data into answers for the benefit of science and society.”

“EBRAINS membership provides a natural framework for ICS CAS to develop further and share its expertise in computational and data-driven neuroscience,” says Jaroslav Hlinka, Head of the Department of Complex Systems and Deputy Director of ICS CAS, who will represent the Institute in EBRAINS activities. “Particularly through the COBRA group and the interdisciplinary BRADY project, we bring expertise in complex systems, information dynamics, neuroimaging data analysis, and computational modelling of brain activity. We aim to contribute open and reproducible approaches for understanding brain dynamics across scales, and to co-develop them with European partners.”

"We are very happy to welcome ICS CAS as an associate member at EBRAINS” says Philippe Vernier, Joint-CEO of EBRAINS. “The institute boasts considerable expertise in the domain of computational neuroscience, as well as artificial intelligence, modelling, and neuroimaging.”