Proposals for 2026 Neuroscience Networking Events
Applications submitted between Tuesday, January 20 and Thursday, February 19, 2026, 5 p.m. EST have a chance to get a complimentary meeting space to host their gathering. After this date, the form will remain open for all other events until October 22, 2026.
Plan a social event to connect and engage informally with registered attendees outside the Neuroscience 2026 scientific program hours. These informal social events are organized by SfN members for other individuals at the annual meeting who share a common interest.
Replacing the SfN-Sponsored Socials and Neuroscience Meet-Ups formats, the new Neuroscience Networking Events can be small or large gatherings. We encourage organizers to create a pre-registration process to help determine space requirements, as SfN does not handle registration for these events or provide funding.
The expectation is that there is no formal program. Neuroscience Networking Events are intended to be purely social gatherings. Exhibiting companies, annual meeting sponsors, and any events with a presentation component are not eligible for the Neuroscience Networking Events format but are welcome to apply for a satellite event.
- Event Requirements
- Neuroscience Networking Event Venues
- Neuroscience Networking Event Application
- Event Listings
Event Requirements
- Must be organized by an SfN member registered for Neuroscience 2026. Events cannot be organized by or on behalf of exhibitors or sponsors. However, these events can be sponsored.
- Must be open to all annual meeting attendees — no invitation-only events.
- Must be purely social, with no presentation component.
- Must be relevant to the neuroscience community.
- Organizers are limited to submitting one event request.
- Event organizers and attendees must comply with the Code of Conduct Pertaining to SfN events.
- All event requests are subject to review and approval by the Program Committee.
Neuroscience Networking Event Venues
- Convention Center or SfN Headquarter Hotel:
- 30 spaces over three nights will be provided (10 spaces each night). If more than 30 applications are received by February 19, the events will be selected through a lottery system in March.
- All events held at the convention center or SfN headquarter hotel will be scheduled on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings between the hours of 7–9 p.m. EST. SfN cannot guarantee a preferred day.
- Spaces will have limited capacity and must be used as set reception style. Reorganizing the space is not permitted. SfN will provide a registration table and two chairs. No AV will be provided, except for (1) standing microphone upon request.
- SfN will provide shared cash bars for the 10 events held in the convention center or SfN headquarter hotel each evening.
- If organizers choose to offer food and beverages at their event, organizers can pay for catering through the convention center or SfN headquarter hotel.
- Organizers have the option to rent a lead retrieval device for their networking event to scan attendee badges.
- If an event does not secure a space through the lottery, organizers can secure their own venue or withdraw the event application.
- Other Venues:
- Organizers may secure their own event venue (e.g., restaurant, bar, library, meeting rooms at non-SfN headquarter hotels, park, etc.).
- Events outside of the convention center or SfN headquarter hotel can be held any time before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. EST November 14–18.
- Applications for Neuroscience Networking Events at venues other than the convention center or SfN headquarter hotel can be submitted between January 20–October 22, 2026.
Neuroscience Networking Event Application
- A request form must be submitted, and an email confirmation will be sent after a request has been received. The form requires the SfN member’s name, address, contact information, SfN member number, event title, description, date, time, location preference (SfN provided space or plan to find own venue), and release waiver.
- Event titles should be accurate and informative because descriptions of Neuroscience Networking Events will not be included in the mobile app and Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Event descriptions will be posted on the SfN website.
- No submission or listing fees are required to propose an event.
- The Program Committee will review all event requests to ensure appropriateness based on event requirements.
- Organizers are encouraged to create a pre-registration link, but this is not required.
- The application form for Neuroscience Networking Events opens in January 2026.
- Any events wishing to be considered for the convention center or SfN headquarter hotel space would need to be submitted by February 19, 2026. The form will remain open for all other events until October 22, 2026.
Event Listings
SfN will post these events on the SfN website and in the mobile app and the Neuroscience Meeting Planner (NMP) starting in September. SfN will list the event title, date, time, location, event registration link (if applicable), and contact information only in the mobile app and NMP. Full descriptions of Neuroscience Networking Events will only be included on the website.
By contrast, for a fee, satellite events can list full descriptions and can be added individually to itineraries through the Neuroscience Meeting Planner and annual meeting mobile app. Satellite events can also be held at SfN headquarter hotels, can have a presentation component, can be invitation only, etc. Satellite events are granted more flexibility with room setups, AV, and date/time.
Please consider which format will be the most conducive to the success of your event.
