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FENS Forum Awards

Society for Neuroscience

Every other year, SfN and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) provide a joint travel award exchange program for graduate students who have reached PhD candidacy and postdoctoral fellows to attend their respective meetings.

SfN provides ten awards in the amount of $2,500 for SfN members from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to attend the biennial FENS Forum.

Prior to applying for the FENS Forum travel award, applicants must register for the FENS Forum in Barcelona, Spain, July 6 – 10, 2026 at their own expense. Applicants may benefit from the same registration fees as FENS members; proof of SfN membership must be uploaded during registration. This can either be your membership ID card or proof of payment/transaction receipt. See the FENS Forum website for more information, including reduced rates.

Applicants must then submit an abstract to the FENS Forum at their own expense within the abstract submission deadline Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 23:59 CET (5:59 pm ET).

Recipients will be selected based on the scientific merit of the abstract submitted to the forum and the strength of related application materials. Recipients may not receive additional travel awards from IBRO, FENS, CNS, or JNS to attend this event.

A travel stipend of $2,500 will be sent to the recipient after they submit in-person proof of attendance.

For questions regarding SfN travel awards, please see the Awards and Prizes FAQs.

Before Applying with SfN

Register for the FENS Forum.
Submit an abstract for the FENS Forum by Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

How to Apply

Submit the following materials by the closing of the application period (February 13):

One-page curriculum vitae (CV) including country of residency, education (including date of achieving PhD candidacy or start of postdoctoral work), honors, awards, and publications
One letter of recommendation from an academic adviser
An essay on career goals, planned research, and the value of attending the FENS Forum (up to 500 words)
A copy of the proposed abstract that has been submitted to the FENS Forum

AI based application success predictor

SfN awards and competitive opportunities are reviewed by expert committees and panels. Success is typically linked to the following:

🔹 1. Scientific Excellence & Originality

Awards focus on important contributions to neuroscience knowledge, novelty of approach, and impact on the field. For early-career prizes, the quality and influence of your research output (papers, abstracts, presentations) matter. Society for Neuroscience

Tip: Present work that clearly advances understanding of neural systems and articulates why it’s impactful.

🔹 2. Clear Relevance to Neuroscience

Applications must directly concern nervous system research — whether basic, translational, computational, systems, behavioral, developmental, or theoretical neuroscience. Society for Neuroscience

Tip: Frame aims and outcomes to align with high-priority neuroscience themes.

🔹 3. Trainee Engagement & Abstract Quality

For meeting-linked awards (e.g., Trainee Professional Development Awards), success often depends on abstract acceptance and quality for the SfN annual meeting, as well as demonstration of the applicant’s engagement with the neuroscience community. Society for Neuroscience

Tip: Submit clear, well-structured abstracts highlighting novelty and rigor.

🔹 4. Career Narrative & Potential

Early-career awards evaluate not only what you have done but also your trajectory and potential to make substantial contributions to neuroscience, including leadership, mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration. Society for Neuroscience

Tip: Provide a concise narrative showing how the award will accelerate your career.

🔹 5. Letters of Support or Nomination Strength

Many award nominations require letters attesting to research excellence and community service. Strong support from respected neuroscientists helps reviewers assess impact and candidate readiness. neuronline.sfn.org

Tip: Choose referees who know your work deeply and can articulate your strengths.

🛠 Practical Tips

✔ Stay engaged with SfN membership — many opportunities are open only to members or prioritize them.
✔ Participate in the annual Neuroscience meeting — presenting at SfN boosts visibility and qualifies you for many awards.
✔ Start early for nomination-based awards — prepare CVs, nomination letters and impact statements well before deadlines.
✔ Leverage professional development resources for proposal writing and career planning.
✔ Tailor your materials (CV, letter, abstract) to the specific award criteria and audience.

📌 Summary: SfN Support Snapshot

Activity	Target Group	Typical Support
Neuroscience Scholars Program	Graduate & postdoc trainees	Mentorship, travel, career development Society for Neuroscience
Early Career Awards	Students, postdocs, junior faculty	Recognition & cash/prizes Society for Neuroscience
Career & Lifetime Awards	Mid/late career scientists	Honorific recognition & citation Society for Neuroscience
Meeting Awards (e.g., TPDA)	Trainee presenters	Travel/registration support Society for Neuroscience
International Research & Prize Awards	Advanced trainees & researchers	Monetary prizes, visibility

Specialties

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must be living and working in the United States, Canada, or Mexico at the time of travel.
Applicant must be a PhD candidate or postdoctoral scholar.
Applicant must be an SfN member in good standing.
Applicant must be the first author on an abstract to be presented at the FENS Forum.
Recipient must not have received another SfN travel award in the same calendar year.

Eligible Countries:

Canada

Mexico

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Society for Neuroscience

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1121 14th Street NW, Suite 1010, Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 962-4000 | 1-888-985-9246

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