Call for applicants for the Interdisciplinary Master’s Program in “Brain and Mind Sciences” for the academic year 2026-2027

The Interdisciplinary MSc Program in Brain and Mind Sciences (B&M) is a research-intensive postgraduate program dedicated to the scientific study of the brain, cognition, and behavior. The program is jointly organized and delivered by the School of Medicine and the Departments of Computer Science, Philosophy, Physics, and Psychology of the University of Crete, in collaboration with the Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas (FORTH). Teaching and research within the program draw on the combined expertise of faculty from the University of Crete and researchers affiliated with FORTH, including scientists from the Institute of Computer Science, the Institute of Computational & Applied Mathematics, and the Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, creating a unified academic and research environment.

Since its establishment in 2003, the B&M program has continuously evolved to reflect advances in neuroscience, cognitive science, and related disciplines. The curriculum is regularly updated to meet the standards of modern postgraduate education, with a strong emphasis on methodological rigor, interdisciplinarity, and research excellence.

Research-Driven Training in Brain and Mind Sciences

The program offers integrated training across biological, computational, cognitive, and philosophical approaches to the study of brain and mind. Students engage with topics spanning molecular, cellular, systems, and cognitive neuroscience, computational modeling, data analysis, and the theoretical foundations of cognition and consciousness. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of empirical findings, development of conceptual and formal models, and familiarity with contemporary experimental and computational methodologies.

The B&M program is designed to prepare students for research-oriented careers, with particular emphasis on doctoral studies across the full spectrum of neurosciences and allied research domains. Graduates acquire the analytical depth and interdisciplinary perspective required to address fundamental scientific questions concerning the brain and the emergence of thought, consciousness, and behavior.

More information about the program is available on the website http://brain-mind.med.uoc.gr.

Graduates of the B&M programme are expected to:

• have a strong understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the Brain and Mind Sciences and have a solid background of knowledge spanning from neurons to neuronal networks, to circuits of brain regions and how these interact to give rise to thought and behavior;

• have theoretical and practical knowledge in a wide range of modern neuroscientific methods ranging from the investigation of cellular processes at the level of neurons to the recording and analysis of activity of neuronal populations from different areas of the brain in animal models, the imaging of human brain activity, the study and analysis of behavior, the modeling of brain function at different scales, the development of computational algorithms, tools and systems that simulate functions of the nervous system;

• have mathematical, statistical, and programming skills that enable them to measure, analyze and visualize data and results;

• are able to examine and evaluate the suitability of experimental approaches and select the most appropriate methods for a given problem as well as combine techniques judiciously to approach complex scientific questions;

• critically analyze scientific knowledge and use existing research as well as databases and tools to solve scientific problems;

• communicate their findings comprehensively and persuasively, either orally or in writing, discuss with experts and contribute to discussions on current/contemporary issues in the Brain and Mind sciences;

• have acquired general skills such as time and conflict management, dealing with stressful situations, as well as social skills.

The B&M programme lasts for four (4) semesters. It’s important to note that all courses are mandatory, and attendance is equivalent to full-time employment. Instruction is provided in English.

Graduates from all Departments of Higher Education Institutions in Greece or equivalent institutions abroad are welcome to apply. Final-year students expected to finish their studies before the B&M program courses commence in October 2026 are also eligible to apply.

There are no tuition fees for the program.

The admission of students is restricted to a maximum of twenty-five (25) students.

Why Choose Crete?

Crete offers a distinctive setting for advanced postgraduate training in Brain and Mind Sciences. The close integration between the University of Crete and FORTH forms one of the strongest research ecosystems in Greece, where education is tightly connected to active, internationally visible research. Students benefit from direct exposure to ongoing research activities, seminars, and collaborations across institutions. At the same time, Crete provides a high quality of life that supports sustained academic focus: a safe and welcoming environment, a relatively low cost of living, a Mediterranean climate, and immediate access to natural landscapes. This combination of scientific intensity and livability makes Crete an ideal location for demanding, research-oriented postgraduate studies.

Submission of the application and supporting documents

All application materials, including supporting documents, must be submitted exclusively online through the website https://postgrad.cict.uoc.gr.

Candidates are required to create a user account on the platform, where they can edit their application, attach supporting documents, and submit it before the deadline. Interested individuals should select School of Medicine and the MSc BRAIN AND MIND Sciences on the website https://postgrad.cict.uoc.gr/jMScApplication/masters and fill in the specified fields, including:

1. Personal information and photo attachment

2. Academic and professional background (undergraduate and postgraduate studies, honors/scholarships, diplomas, theses, training/seminars, language skills, programming languages, certifications), additional information (including a 2000-character expression of interest for the B&M program and a list of publications/scientific papers (if applicable)

3. Two (2) names of individuals who will provide letters of recommendation (see below)

Additionally, applicants must attach scanned copies of the following certificates or files:

a. Copies of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees

b. Recognition of degree equivalence certificate by the National Academic Recognition Information Center (DOATAP) (if exists, for holders of academic degrees awarded by foreign Higher Education Institutions). If the certificate is unavailable, the University of Crete will conduct the academic assessment of your degree(s), provided they are listed in the National Register of Recognized Foreign Institutions and the National Register of Degree Types of Recognized Foreign Institutions, in accordance with the provisions of article 304 of Law 4957/2022.

c. Transcript of records (list of courses, grades, and credits) and completion of studies certificate (if available)

d. Certificate of English language proficiency at least at the B2 level (Common European Framework)

e. Any other relevant documents not covered in the default fields.

Letters of recommendation must be submitted directly by their authors through the application platform. The individuals listed by the candidate will receive an invitation after the application is submitted. The application must include the institutional e-mail address, the title(s) and contact details of the listed individuals.

Alternatively, the author of the letter of recommendation may send it via email both to postgradsecr@med.uoc.gr and brainmind@med.uoc.gr. Please include “Letter of Recommendation for the candidate Mr. (LAST NAME) of the “Brain & Mind Sciences” in the subject line. The reference letter must be sent from the author’s institutional email address and should include the author’s title and full contact details.

The deadline for submission of recommendation letters is May 24, 2026.

All attached documents must be in PDF format with a maximum size of 2MB per file and a total maximum size of 20MB. For the photo attachment, acceptable formats include .png and .jpeg files, with a maximum  size of 2MB and dimensions of 200px x 200px. Candidates are advised to adhere to the guidelines provided on the submission platform regarding the size and type of files attached with the application.

The selection process will be conducted by a Selection Committee, which will assess candidates’ qualifications through oral interviews. In case of a high volume of applications, candidates may undergo a pre-selection process before being invited for an interview.

Timetable:
Application deadline: May 17, 2026
Interview: June 1-7, 2026
Start of courses: October 2026

For more information, candidates can contact the Graduate Studies Programs Secretariat of the Medical School of the University of Crete, tel. 2810 394526 email: bmsecr@med.uoc.gr

The Director of the B&M programme                                     The Dean of the School of Medicine

Professor Vassilis Raos                                                                               Professor Eleni Papadaki