Frequently asked questions

Can I take part on my own?

No. Teams have exactly two members, who compete together in every round.

Do both team members have to study at the same institution, or in the same country?

No. Members may come from different institutions and different countries.

I am a biologist and have never programmed. Is the competition for me?

Yes. The first round covers biology as well as computer science, and a team that pairs a biologist with a programmer is often stronger than two specialists in the same field. The preparation page lists free material to get started with programming.

What is a capture-the-flag round?

Each challenge is a computational problem whose correct solution reveals a short answer string, the flag. Teams submit flags on the competition platform and score points for each correct one. No previous experience with the format is needed; picoCTF is a good place to try it.

Do I have to travel for the final?

Yes. The third round takes place in person at the Bioinformatics Open Days 2027. Whether travel support is available to finalists is to be confirmed.

How do we register?

Through the registration form linked from the home page once registration opens.