INCF GSoC 2026 Projects
A curated showcase of this year's contributors building open-source tools across neuroscience, AI, computing, and creative interfaces.
🧠 Neuroimaging, Brain Modeling & Neuroscience Tools
QC-Studio: Integrated Quality Control Toolkit for MRI Datasets
Transforms QC-Studio into a scalable QC platform for MRI datasets. Integrates with Nipoppy, introduces quantitative image quality metrics with reference comparisons, and explores an AI-assisted guidance layer to support reviewers — reducing fatigue and improving reproducibility in neuroimaging workflows.
Longitudinal Normative Modelling in PCNtoolkit
Extends PCNtoolkit to support longitudinal velocity-based normative modelling across multiple timepoints, enabling subject-specific predictions of brain change over time. Adds tests, documentation, and scalability — strengthening the framework for precision medicine and neuroimaging research.
Refactoring Synaptic Behavior in HNN-Core
Improves the Human Neocortical Neurosolver via demand-driven (lazy) synapse instantiation, efficient storage of synaptic currents, and biologically realistic variability. Adds validation, benchmarking, and visualization tools for a more scalable and biologically grounded simulation framework.
Experanto: Behavioral Filtering and Large-Scale Neurodata Integration
Introduces a string-based behavioral filtering system and integrates large-scale datasets like the IBL Brain Wide Map and Allen Neuropixels. Adds tooling for automatic download, preprocessing, and synchronization — making complex neuroscience data more accessible and reproducible.
NiMARE Optimization via Adaptive Vectorized Masking
Enhances NiMARE's meta-analysis with adaptive computation based on vectorized dynamic masking and real-time statistical monitoring (Wilson Score Interval). Includes Signed Difference Mapping and publication bias diagnostics for faster, scalable neuroimaging analysis.
The Virtual Brain: New Graphical Widgets for JupyterLab
Develops new JupyterLab widgets for interactive visualization of brain connectivity data, including a metrics projection viewer and improved connectivity tools. Combines editable inputs with dynamic outputs to enhance interpretability of large-scale brain simulations.
Personalized HRF Integration in The Virtual Brain
Replaces standard HRF models with empirically derived responses from fMRI data. Builds pipelines for HRF estimation, integration into simulations, and comparative evaluation — yielding a more biologically grounded and reproducible modeling approach.
I-EEG: Semi-Automated Intracranial EEG Analysis Platform
An open-source platform for iEEG analysis aimed at epilepsy research and clinical workflows. Integrates automated seizure detection and onset zone estimation with interactive visualization, bridging manual clinical workflows and automated methods.
NeuroSim: Physics-Constrained Network Control Theory
A Python toolkit introducing a discrete, finite-horizon framework for Network Control Theory in neuroimaging. Tackles data leakage, structural blindness, and inefficiency through physics-constrained modeling and advanced connectivity estimation.
🤖 AI, Data Platforms & Computational Systems
AnalySim: Collaborative Data and Notebook Platform
Enhances AnalySim's reliability and usability — fixing project workflow inconsistencies, strengthening search behavior, and stabilizing JupyterLite integration. Improves API design and frontend-backend interactions for a dependable collaborative environment.
ActiveVision: Automated Benchmarking for Goal-Directed Vision Models
Builds a scalable benchmarking ecosystem with automated pipelines for model validation, evaluation, and leaderboards. Supports diffusion models and vision-language models with standardized protocols and reproducibility guarantees.
DevoGraph Enhancement via ESTGEL
Integrates the ESTGEL model into DevoGraph to analyze spatio-temporal data from C. elegans embryogenesis. Combines spatial proximity and lineage data with temporal learning for interpretable analysis of developmental processes.
🎨 Human-Computer Interaction, Creative AI & Interfaces
GestureCap: Generalized Gesture-to-Sound Mapping Framework
A modular framework for mapping gesture data to sound in real time, enabling flexible, reusable, and learnable mappings. Supports artistic creation and research in interactive music and speech generation systems.
GestureCap: Expressive Gesture-to-Sound Mapping Interface
An expressive modular mapping layer with continuous control, microtonal capabilities, and adaptive mappings. Supports gesture-controlled instruments like a virtual theremin with both beginner and advanced modes.
HarmonyHub MEI: Mobile App Hardening and Intonation Learning
Strengthens HarmonyHub's Ionic/Angular mobile app with responsive design, optimized touch, and memory management. Adds a relative intonation learning module using real-time pitch detection (autocorrelation, YIN) for accurate practice across iOS and Android.
BreathState 2.0: Cross-Platform Biofeedback Application
Evolves BreathState into a clinical-grade biofeedback platform across mobile, web, and VR. Integrates HRV and respiratory sinus arrhythmia analytics, hardware sensors, real-time dashboards, adaptive guided breathing, and immersive VR visualization.
⚙️ Research Infrastructure, DevOps & Software Engineering
OWASP DevSecOps Maturity and Controls (EBRAINS)
Automates security practices for EBRAINS aligned with the OWASP DSOMM framework. Adds vulnerability scanning, secret detection, dependency analysis, and SBOM generation in CI/CD — a reusable, vendor-neutral blueprint for distributed neuroinformatics.
EBRAINS Software Distribution: Modular Environments
Introduces tools to extract reusable subsets of large environments while maintaining dependency consistency, and standardizes APIs for service interoperability — making neuroscience tool deployment more flexible and scalable.
CBRAIN CLI: Python Command-Line Interface
Enhances CBRAIN CLI with interactive prompt-based commands that guide users through workflows. Restructures the codebase into a modular architecture and improves authentication, data management, and computation usability.
Brian2CUDA: Stabilization & Performance Optimization
Advances Brian2CUDA toward production by improving Windows support, optimizing compilation speed, and adding a unified logging and error-reporting system — reducing development friction for GPU-based neural simulations.
LORIS: Reliability and Maintainability in Web Workflows
Strengthens LORIS browser-based workflows, validation mechanisms, testing coverage, and developer documentation — incremental, well-tested improvements that enhance stability and usability for research workflows.
🚀 High-Performance Computing & Optimization
ImageJ Active Segmentation: Parallel Engine for ASP/IJ
Accelerates ImageJ Active Segmentation by offloading convolution operations to parallel hardware via TornadoVM. Maintains correctness with CPU validation before benchmarking performance gains.
📚 Education & Scientific Collaboration Platforms
SciCommons: Social-Web Platform for Scientific Research
Enhances SciCommons into a collaborative platform for discovering, discussing, and organizing scientific research. Adds AI-powered summarization, accessibility testing, and browser extensions for paper imports.