2026 Ask Anything Session Proposals
Proposal submissions are now open.
The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Professional Development Committee is pleased to invite active 2026 members to submit proposals for Ask Anything Sessions to be held at Neuroscience 2026 in Washington, DC. Proposal submissions will be accepted from Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, until the deadline of Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 5 p.m. EST.
**There are important changes to the 2026 proposal submission process, so please read the below in its entirety. **
Not a 2026 member? Join or renew today, then start planning your proposal.
- What is an Ask Anything Session?
- Organizer and Speaker Requirements
- Funding
- How to Submit Your Proposal
- Selection Process
- Growth and Opportunity
- Presenter Guidelines and Policies
What is an Ask Anything Session?
Hosted by neuroscientists, Ask Anything sessions are informal panel sessions that allow participants to ask questions and discuss topics related to scientific training and career development. Attendance is limited to facilitate discussion and interaction. View a complete list of Ask Anything sessions offered at Neuroscience 2025.
Organizer (Host) and Co-Host Requirements
To submit an Ask Anything session proposal, you must be an active member of SfN. Participating co-host(s) may be SfN members or nonmembers but must have a free My SfN account (see below). Although submitters are not required to secure the participation of their co-host(s) prior to proposal submission, all submitters are asked to include the names and titles of the co-hosts they intend to invite to participate within their proposal. The Ask Anything session cannot have more than 4 speakers and 1 host. The Professional Development Committee understands that the speakers proposed may be updated following submission of the proposal.
Ensure that all speaker names, institutions and email addresses are listed correctly. All speaker blocks must be finalized by the submission deadline of Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, 5 p.m. EST. Proposals will be flagged if any speakers do not have an SfN account by this date. The precise date and time of your session will be communicated this summer. Ask Anything sessions will not have a virtual component, and all speakers are required to attend in person.
During the proposal submission and review process, the submitter will be the primary contact for the Professional Development Committee and SfN staff. If the session is selected, the submitter will be considered the session organizer and will be responsible for working with staff and participating co-hosts to secure all logistical and programmatic details for the Ask Anything session. Furthermore, the organizer will be responsible for relaying any and all-important information to and from participants.
My SfN account requirements –
For data privacy and accuracy, all co-presenters included on speaker blocks are required to have a free My SfN account. Learn more.
Room Layout
It is also important for the speakers to be aware that the room settings cannot be changed.
Funding
Ask Anything organizers and co-hosts may be eligible to receive support to attend the annual meeting. More details will be provided if the proposal proceeds to a scheduled session. This will differ year to year. If you have any questions, contact SfN at profdev@sfn.org.
How to Submit Your Proposal
When you are ready to submit your proposal, follow these steps:
- Go to the SfN Awards submission page
- Click on “Sign in” button at the top of the page
- Log in using your SfN username and password
- In the "Award Type" drop-down box, select the AAS Proposal option
- Upload the complete your proposal
- Click Save and Submit
The Ask Anything session proposal form asks submitters to provide the following:
- Name, institution/organization, title, and contact information of submitter
- Session overview, including title and short description
- Indication of willingness of submitter to collaborate with another organizer
- Name, institution/organization, email address, and title of planned co-host(s)
Selection Process
The Professional Development Committee selects the proposals they think best serve the interests of SfN members and the success of the annual meeting. The committee may suggest a submitter substitute for one or more of their planned hosts or make other amendments to their proposal. Suggestions arising from discussions of the Professional Development Committee will be passed on directly to the submitter. Results of the selection process will be relayed in the spring.
Proposals not selected for one year will not be held for consideration for the following year. However, a proposal may be resubmitted the following year and will receive the same consideration as all other proposals.
Growth and Opportunity
Growth and opportunity are organizational priorities of SfN and programming must ensure representation of all members. SfN encourages and promotes participation, accessibility, active representation and leadership from all populations. Recognizing that opportunity advances the field of neuroscience, SfN encourages membership and participation. The Society promotes an environment that is supportive of all individuals in the interest of advancing science.
Presenter Guidelines and Policies for SfN Events
By accepting the invitation to participate in an SfN event, you are agreeing to follow the SfN speaker guidelines and policies.
Questions?
Questions? Contact profdev@sfn.org.
