Nanosymposia

Nanosymposia offer abstract submitters an innovative way to create and propose slide-based sessions similar to a symposium. Just like poster presenters, those seeking a nanosymposium can link presentations together with colleagues to form their own session. A nanosymposium consists of abstracts from multiple labs with a common topical interest. 

Nanosymposia will not be included in the virtual component of Neuroscience 2023.  However, presenters are encouraged to also upload a virtual poster presentation.

Watch on-demand the How to Organize a Nanosymposium webinar from May 22.

How to get started:

1. Talk to colleagues now: Make contact with labs with which you collaborate, spread the word about nanosymposia, and suggest colleagues agree to join your nanosymposium group when submitting their abstracts for the annual meeting.
2. Match presentation preferences: When submitting an abstract, ensure you and your colleagues each choose "Nanosymposium Preferred" as your type of presentation.
3. Use linking groups: This feature alerts the Program Committee that all abstracts with the same linking group should be grouped in the same session. If suggesting a nanosymposium group, provide a brief explanation regarding the importance of the results and why they would make a great nanosymposium.
   
   The first submitter of the linking group is considered the linking group creator and is given a linking group name, which all authors in the linking group need to use in their own abstract submissions. All abstracts in a group must select the same presentation preference (Nanosymposium Preferred) and the same theme, subtheme, and topic. Any divergence from this will result in exclusion from the linking group. 
   
   Note: By creating a linking group, you are agreeing to have your email address included in the Special Linking Group Report, available within the submission site. This report lists all linking groups that have been created by submitters, the name and contact information for the linking group's creator, and the linking group's description. The report is accessible to all SfN abstract submitters, who may contact you regarding joining your linking group.

Points to consider before submitting:

• Nanosymposia are competitive due to demand and space limitations. The Program Committee gives first consideration to well-organized submissions that include a linking group, proposal appeal, and suggested nanosymposium chair.
• Individual presentations in a nanosymposium must be topically-related and not just a collection of presentations from one lab. To promote diversity of opinion, no more than two abstracts from any one lab should be in a given nanosymposium.
• Forming a linking group with other presenters on a similar topic makes it more likely a nanosymposium is formed. For individual abstract submitters that select "Nanosymposium Preferred" as their presentation preference, there is no guarantee that enough presentations on a given topic will be submitted to form a coherent session.
• The Program Committee reserves the right to add other appropriate abstracts to any session or to reject the nanosymposium proposal.
• Nanosymposium groups that are not programmed will be reassigned as a poster session; the linking group will remain intact for poster sessioning consideration.

Note: Linking groups are not guaranteed; the Program Committee may prioritize the thematic cohesion of the scientific program over grouping preferences.