CogSci Mind Challenge 2026

About

The CogSci Mind Challenge asks cognitive scientists to communicate ideas from cognitive science to students and other non-expert audiences. Submissions should help students learn something meaningful about the mind, behavior, perception, culture, or another area of cognitive science.

Projects should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of cognitive science, which includes fields such as psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, artificial intelligence, anthropology, education, and philosophy.

Call for Proposal

The Cognitive Science Society invites proposals for the next CogSci Mind Challenge, a science communication competition designed to make cognitive science engaging, accurate, and accessible for junior high, high school, and undergraduate students.

This year, rather than asking all applicants to answer the same question, we invite applicants to propose their own cognitive science question and a creative way to answer it.

Applicants will submit a one-page proposal describing:

1. The cognitive science question they want to answer.

2. Why the question is interesting, important, or useful for junior high and high school students.

3. The creative format they plan to use, such as a TikTok-style video, short blog post, podcast segment, animation, skit, visual explainer, or another accessible format.

4. How the final submission will communicate the idea clearly, accurately, and engagingly in 5 minutes or less.

Selected semifinalists will receive $100 to create their final submission. Semifinalists will then have 60 days to complete and submit their final project. Final submissions will be reviewed by high school and undergraduate students, who will vote on their favorites. Three equal winners will each receive a $500 prize.

Proposal Requirements

Applicants should submit a proposal of no more than 1000 words that includes the following:

1. Cognitive Science Question

State the question your project will answer. The question should be understandable to students and connected to cognitive science.

Examples might include questions such as:

· How do people know when to trust their memory?

· Why do illusions trick our brains?

· Can artificial intelligence understand emotions?

· How do children learn what other people know?

· Why do people disagree even when they see the same evidence?

These are examples only. Applicants are encouraged to propose their own questions.

1. Core Idea

Briefly explain the cognitive science concept, finding, debate, or phenomenon you want students to understand.

1. Creative Format

Describe the format you plan to create. This may include, but is not limited to:

· TikTok-style short-form video

· Blog post or illustrated article

· Podcast segment

· Animation

· Comic book strip

· Skit or scripted dialogue

· Visual explainer

· Interactive or multimedia format

The final submission must be designed to be watched, read, or listened to in 5 minutes or less. For written formats, such as blog posts or illustrated articles, the final submission should be readable in approximately 5 minutes or less.

1. Audience and Accessibility

Explain how the final submission will be accessible to junior high and high school students, including students who may not already know what cognitive science is.

Applicants should consider:

· Clear, age-appropriate language

· Inclusive examples

· Captions, transcripts, or subtitles where appropriate

· Visual accessibility, such as colorblind-friendly design

· Avoiding jargon or explaining technical terms clearly

1. Accuracy and Sources

Briefly describe how you will ensure the final submission is scientifically accurate. Applicants may include a short list of sources, findings, or concepts that will guide the project.

1. Production Plan

Briefly describe what you would create if selected as a semifinalist and how you would use the 60-day production period.

Timeline

• Call opens: July 27, 2026
• Proposal deadline: August 26, 2026
• Semifinalists notified: September 9, 2026
• Final submissions due: November 9, 2026
• Student voting period: November 10, 2026 thru December 10, 2026
• Winners announced: December 15, 2026

Submission Instructions

Applicants should submit their one-page proposal to cendrine@podiumconferences.com by 11:59 PM AoE on August 26, 2026.

Please include the following in your submission:

· Applicant name

· Applicant affiliation, if any

· Lead contact email

· Team members, if applicable

· Project title

· Proposed cognitive science question

· One-page proposal upload

· Confirmation that the applicant agrees to the challenge rules

Application and more details: https://cognitivesciencesociety.org/cogsci-mind-challenge/