Programme
Teach. Try. Use. Then train the next cohort.
SPARK is a free, hands-on, case-based training programme. Participants train in teams, move through three phases, and the strongest graduates return as the trainers of the next cohort.
The strategy
Train the trainer
Teach, Try and Use lead to a return as trainers, and then to Go: needs are assessed, knowledge gaps identified, and the skills applied to local problems.
Teach
Workshop
- Length
- 10 weeks
- Format
- Virtual
- Focus
- Medical imaging processing, analysis and the fundamentals of computer programming
Expert-led weekly tutorials on Python, deep learning, and medical imaging AI.
A foundational course on medical imaging processing, analysis and the fundamentals of computer programming.
What you cover
- Foundational course
- Fundamentals of AI
- Basics of medical imaging
Try
Hackathon
- Length
- 1 week
- Format
- Hybrid, in person and virtual
- Where
- Five or more African countries
Teams try to apply what they have learned to solve local problems, using real African imaging data.
Kaggle-style challenges where teams compete with real African imaging data.
What you do
- Hybrid hackathon
- Code hack exercises
- Interdisciplinary seminars
Use
Grand challenge
- Length
- 10 weeks
- Format
- A guided practicum, in teams
- Output
- A tool for clinical use, and a paper submitted to MICCAI
A guided practicum on the development and evaluation of an AI method for a specific use case.
A second practicum then covers model deployment, networking, and scientific communication skills.
What you do
- Practicum
- Build state-of-the-art AI models
- Scientific communication
- Participate in a grand challenge
Give back
From trainees to trainers
Top graduates return as team leads and mentors for the next cohort, so that knowledge stays local and the network sustains itself.
SPARK-NEXT
A one-year advanced impact and leadership track. Excellent SPARK graduates are retained on a mentorship programme.
How a cohort runs
Implementation roadmap
-
February to April 2026
Foundational course
Provided medical imaging in AI training (10 weeks, TEACH phase).
-
May 2026
Hackathon
Trainees try to apply knowledge acquired to solve local problems (1 week, TRY phase).
-
May to July 2026
Practicum I
Trainees use knowledge acquired to build tools for clinical use (10 weeks, USE phase) and submit their paper to MICCAI.
-
July to August 2026
Practicum II
Trainees are provided model deployment, networking, and scientific communication skills.
-
September 2026
MICCAI conference
Good performing trainees are awarded travel grants to attend MICCAI 2026 in France.
-
October 2026
SPARK-Next launch
Excellent SPARK graduates are retained for a 1 year mentorship program.
-
December 2026
End of year review and impact analysis
Who it is for
Built for teams that cross disciplines
The first program brought together residents, graduate students and professionals from oncology, neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, medical physics, biomedical engineering and computer science.
Free
SPARK provides free access to hands-on skill development.
In teams
Participants train in teams, with clinicians, programmers and researchers working side by side.
Case-based
The curriculum is built around real clinical cases, and each SPARK Academy is aimed at a real-world use case.
Eligibility
Who can join the 2026 SPARK Academy
To be eligible for the 2026 SPARK Academy, applicants must meet the following criteria.
- Be a radiology, neurology, neurosurgery, or oncology resident, or a graduate student in radiography, physics, engineering, or computer science at an African institution.
- Intermediate to advanced programming experience is recommended but not required.
- Ability to attend the full-day hackathon in person at one of the hackathon sites for all five days.
- Commit up to 5 hours per week for the entire programme duration.
- Commitment to complete all programme activities on time.
- Access to a working laptop or desktop.
- A self-motivated team player.
- Clinical or research experience with brain tumours is recommended but not required.
Ready to take part?
Applications for SPARK 2027 open soon. See how to apply, or read the answers to common questions first.