Call for Abstracts
Abstract Presenter Next Steps
Presenting authors of late-breaking abstracts will be emailed in late September regarding their abstract’s acceptance status.
Access your regular and late-breaking submissions using the button above to print a receipt for the abstract submission fee. Log in to your SfN account to print a receipt for membership fees.
Review next steps to prepare for the meeting.
- Register for the meeting. Remember, payment of the abstract submission fee does not include registration for the annual meeting. Abstract presenters must register to present at the annual meeting.
- Register to attend the "How to Make and Present a Poster for Neuroscience 2026" webinar taking place October 7, noon EDT. Prior to participating in this Q&A session, attendees are encouraged to view last year's on-demand recording of “How to Make and Present a Poster for Neuroscience 2025."
- Review abstract presentation resources.
- Get ready to upload your virtual poster.
- Request a visa letter of invitation.
Join our mailing list to receive annual meeting updates.
Abstract Submission
The call for Neuroscience 2026 abstracts is May 27–June 10. In addition, there will be a call for late-breaking Neuroscience 2026 abstracts September 8–15. Get to know the difference between the two submission periods.
| Category | Regular Call for Abstracts | Late-Breaking Call for Abstracts |
|---|---|---|
| Max Total Number of Abstracts | No max number of total abstracts accepted. | Max of 2,500 total late-breaking abstracts; submission site will close once this number is reached. |
| Dates | May 27–June 10, 5 p.m. EDT | September 8–15 or until cap of 2,500 abstracts is reached. |
| Submission Fee | $175 | $260 |
| Abstract Type(s) | Each SfN member can submit: 1 scientific abstract (Themes A–J) and/or 1 Theme K (History, Education, and Society) abstract | 1 scientific (Themes A–J) OR 1 Theme K (History, Education, and Society) abstract |
| Presentation Formats | Nanosymposium, Poster, or Theme K Poster | Late-breaking poster only Note: The late-breaking poster session is located in a separate section of the poster floor than the abstracts submitted in May and June. |
| Placement by Program Committee | Grouped into sessions with abstracts in similar areas of research. | Grouped with all other late-breaking abstracts in the same general theme (A–K). |
| Linking Groups | Use linking groups to indicate to the Program Committee that you wish to be sessioned with your colleagues in the same poster or nanosymposium session. | No linking groups. |
Justify Your Abstract Presentation
Use this letter to make the case for essential travel to attend and present an abstract at Neuroscience 2026 in Washington, D.C.
Download Justification Letter TemplateAbstract Information
-
Abstract Withdrawal
Withdraw: Presenting authors can click the "Access Submission" button at the top of the page to access the Presenter Portal and submit an abstract withdrawal request. Withdrawing your abstract indicates that you do not want to have it included in the annual meeting program.
Unable to Attend: Presenters may also mark their abstract as "Unable to Attend" via the Presenter Portal. This option notes for attendees that the presenter will not be present at their poster in person nor virtually.
Meeting Participation: Updates to meeting participation can also be made via the Presenter Portal. Presenters can indicate whether they plan to present in person only, virtual only, or virtual and in person. The deadline to switch from virtual only to in person was September 10. The deadline to switch from in person only to virtual only is November 5.
-
Webinars
Watch on demand the How to Organize a Nanosymposium webinar.
Watch on demand the How to Submit an Impactful Abstract webinar.
Register for the How to Make and Present a Poster for Neuroscience 2026 webinar scheduled for October 7, noon–12:30 p.m. EDT.
-
Notice of Abstract Acceptance Status
Communications regarding abstracts are sent to presenting authors only. Other co-authors should ask their abstract's presenting author for information regarding their abstract. Presenting authors were notified about their abstract's acceptance status in early August.
Advance registration for members opened July 15. Abstract presenters must register in order to present at the annual meeting.
-
Trainee Professional Development Award
The Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA) recognizes undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows who demonstrate scientific merit and excellence in research.
Submissions are now closed. Applicants were notified of their acceptance in early September.
-
Co-Authors
All co-authors included on abstract author blocks are required to have a free My SfN account.
-
Presentation Formats
Abstract presentations are accepted into either poster, Theme K poster, or nanosymposia sessions.
Late-breaking abstracts will only be accepted into late-breaking poster sessions.
-
Theme K Poster Format
For those who submit a Theme K (History, Education, and Society) abstract, note that Theme K posters will encompass three half-days on the poster floor: Saturday p.m., Sunday a.m., and Sunday p.m. Posters should remain on display for these three half-days for casual viewing and be removed by Sunday, November 15, 5 p.m. EDT.
-
Sessioning Process
Abstracts are reviewed and assigned to topically-based sessions by the SfN Program Committee. Abstract submitters can use linking groups to suggest other presenters that they would like to be grouped with in a session.
Late-breaking abstracts will be placed in late-breaking poster sessions with the other late-breaking abstracts in their general scientific theme.
Rules for Abstract Submission
Read over the rules for submitting an abstract to Neuroscience 2026.
Abstract Licensing Agreement
Review the terms of use agreed to when submitting an abstract for Neuroscience 2026.
Embargo Policy
Review SfN's embargo policy.
