About the Hackathon
OUR GOALS
Increase awareness of global inequities in neurosurgical access. Innovate effective and multivalent solutions to real surgical cases. |
PARTICIPANT DIVERSITY
All backgrounds (medicine, public health, neuroscience, engineering, business, policy, etc.) and expertise levels welcome. No computer science experience necessary. |
Our sponsors and partnerships
If you would like to sponsor this hackathon or future events, please contact us below.
Learn more about the hackathon in another language! (Spanish, Hindi, Italian, German)
Meet our 2023 hackathon judges and speakers!
In 2022, we recruited over 100 participants from 5 continents and 17 countries.
Help us make this year's hackathon even bigger.
Twitter and Instagram: @hmsmissionbrain
#missionbrainhack2023
Contact: [email protected]
Hackathon FAQs
What is this Hackathon about?
Participants will join a virtual team and construct a real-world solution to one of two neurosurgical cases based on patient experiences receiving care in low and middle-income countries. These solutions can address policy, surgical techniques, funding, supply chain, database, medical devices, etc.
Who can join?
EVERYONE! All backgrounds and skills are welcome: healthcare providers, software professionals, business/finance, journalists, patients/caregivers, and others! No experience is necessary. Students who apply individually and are selected will be matched by our committee to the rest of their team. Students may also apply as pre-formed teams of 2 or 3. If you apply as a team of 2, you will be given the option to be matched to a singleton applicant.
What is the time commitment?
The global virtual 3-day Hackathon begins March 24th, 2022 and ends Sunday March 26th, 2023. Participants need not be available for the entire event as long as they maintain clear communication with their team members.
The Grand Prize is really an all-expenses-paid trip?
YES! A maximum of 3 winners (no teams more than 3 people) will be awarded the cost of a round trip coach flight, housing, and a $75/day allowance to Mexico with the mision:brain team on their next mission. The trip would be approximately 4-5 days. Students will need to have the trip approved by their respective universities, or sign a waiver that the trip will be of their own volition (vacation/personal time, their own arrangements). For final approval: students will also need to submit a letter of support from their Deans, and have an interview process with the mission:brain team prior to the trip.
Participants will join a virtual team and construct a real-world solution to one of two neurosurgical cases based on patient experiences receiving care in low and middle-income countries. These solutions can address policy, surgical techniques, funding, supply chain, database, medical devices, etc.
Who can join?
EVERYONE! All backgrounds and skills are welcome: healthcare providers, software professionals, business/finance, journalists, patients/caregivers, and others! No experience is necessary. Students who apply individually and are selected will be matched by our committee to the rest of their team. Students may also apply as pre-formed teams of 2 or 3. If you apply as a team of 2, you will be given the option to be matched to a singleton applicant.
What is the time commitment?
The global virtual 3-day Hackathon begins March 24th, 2022 and ends Sunday March 26th, 2023. Participants need not be available for the entire event as long as they maintain clear communication with their team members.
The Grand Prize is really an all-expenses-paid trip?
YES! A maximum of 3 winners (no teams more than 3 people) will be awarded the cost of a round trip coach flight, housing, and a $75/day allowance to Mexico with the mision:brain team on their next mission. The trip would be approximately 4-5 days. Students will need to have the trip approved by their respective universities, or sign a waiver that the trip will be of their own volition (vacation/personal time, their own arrangements). For final approval: students will also need to submit a letter of support from their Deans, and have an interview process with the mission:brain team prior to the trip.