Abstracts and Sessions FAQ
When can I submit my abstract for presentation at Neuroscience 2018?
The abstract submission site opened on Thursday, April 12, and closed on Thursday, May 3, at 5 p.m. EDT. SfN did not accept late-breaking abstracts. All abstracts needed to be submitted online via the abstract submission web form. Submission by other methods (paper, email, etc.) were not permitted.
Can I be a first/presenting author on an abstract if I am not an SfN member?
Yes, as long as one of the co-authors is an active SfN member (not a student member) and agrees to serve as the submitting author of the abstract. The entry of the submitting author’s SfN username and password to log in to the abstract submission site serves as validation that the member is authorizing the abstract. If the submitting author is an SfN student member, the student member must also be listed as the first (presenting) author.
What is the difference between the first author and the submitting author?
The author listed first in the author block is referred to as the presenting or primary author and is expected to present the abstract at the annual meeting. The presenting author’s name will appear first, in bold, in the abstract’s author block. The submitting author is the SfN member whose account is used to submit the abstract. The submitting author is designated with an asterisk in the abstract’s author block.
What is a dynamic poster?
This presentation format allows presenters to create an electronic, multimedia version of a paper poster. Abstract presenters are provided with a flat-screen display that allows them to incorporate videos, animated charts or graphs, and other multimedia elements into their presentation. To offset the costs of the requirements for this format, dynamic poster presenters will be charged a $160 presentation fee, similar to the costs of printing a paper poster. More information on dynamic posters is available on SfN.org.
May my coworkers and I present sequentially?
Use the Linking Group feature in the online abstract submission system to indicate to the Program Committee that you wish to be sessioned with other submitters in a poster session or nanosymposium. The limit is 20 abstracts in a single poster session linking group and 14 abstracts in a nanosymposium linking group; however, please note no more than two abstracts from the same lab can be included in a nanosymposium. All abstracts in a Linking Group must be submitted under the same themes and topics and presentation preference. While SfN makes every effort to honor Linking Group requests, we cannot guarantee linking groups or special requests for sessioning (e.g. specific order of abstracts), which are left to the discretion of the Program Committee. Cohesion of the scientific program is priority over special grouping requests.
Am I automatically registered for Neuroscience 2018 by submitting an abstract?
No, you must register for Neuroscience 2018 separately. Payment of the $135 abstract handling fee does not include registration for the annual meeting. If you are presenting an abstract at the meeting, you may not register as a guest; guest registration is limited to members of the nonscientific community. An abstract presenter must register as a member, nonmember, student member, or student nonmember. Registration for the annual meeting opens in mid-July. View the annual meeting registration section of SfN.org for more information.
When will I receive confirmation of receipt of my abstract?
You must complete all steps of the abstract submission form and “finalize” your abstract for it to be considered by the Program Committee. When you log into the abstract submission site, a "Finalized" status next to your abstract title confirms that your abstract has been received for review and sessioning. An email confirmation will be sent to submitting authors within an hour of finalizing their abstracts.
Can I withdraw my abstract after the submission deadline?
Yes. To withdraw a finalized abstract submission from the Program, complete the Withdrawal and Unable to Attend Form, available in mid-May. To ensure removal from annual meeting publications, requests must be received by Friday, May 25. If the request to withdraw is made after this date, SfN cannot ensure removal from the printed program.
I am the first author of an abstract but am unable to attend the meeting. What should I do?
Although the first author is the preferred presenter, any of the co-authors listed in the author block on the submitted abstract may present without having to notify SfN. The presenter must be listed as a co-author on the abstract as submitted to SfN. If none of the co-authors can attend the meeting, the submitting author must complete the Withdrawal and Unable to Attend Form, available in mid-May, as soon as possible. Staff will mark the abstract as "Unable to Attend" in the program or withdraw the abstract entirely from publication, upon request (if possible, due to printing deadlines).
When can I find out my presentation information?
Presentation information is sent to all first authors only via email in late-June (status of abstract acceptance or rejection) and mid-July (session information and individual presentation time information for accepted abstracts). To ensure you receive all SfN correspondence, add program@sfn.org, SfN_Program@abstractsonline.com, and sfn@support.ctimeetingtech.com to your email "safe senders" list.
Is there any way to ensure that I have a nanosymposium or dynamic poster presentation?
Selection for these presentation formats is not guaranteed and is competitive due to there being a greater demand than there is space. Session assignments are made according to availability, merit, quality, and thematic need. The Program Committee will make the final decision regarding session placement for abstracts. All sessioning assignments are final.
May I take photographs on the poster floor?
No, photography and video on the poster floor is prohibited. Learn more about the SfN Communications Policies.
May I bring my live exhibit to the meeting?
No, live exhibits are prohibited.
May I request a refund for my abstract handling fee?
No, the fee is for processing and nonrefundable. Once the abstract has been submitted, it is considered processed.
What size is the posterboard space?
Posterboards are 6 feet (1.8m) wide and 4 feet (1.2m) high.
When and where is Neuroscience 2018?
Neuroscience 2018 will be held November 3-7 in San Diego, CA.
What are the themes and topics for abstract submission?
The Program Committee uses a list of themes and topics to determine how abstracts will be grouped together in poster or nanosymposium sessions. The list incorporates basic science and disease-related topics under the same themes, which allow the Program Committee to create scientific sessions that will allow for increased interactions between basic science and disease-related researchers. The list is reviewed and adjusted annually by the committee. Review the 2018 themes and topics list to decide the best fit for your abstract.
How can I access a copy of my abstract submission and/or print a receipt for my abstract handling fee?
Log in to www.sfn.org/cfa to access a copy of your abstract submission and your receipt for your paid abstract handling fee. Select the “Click here if you would like to have a confirmation of your submission emailed to you” option on the confirmation page of your submission to email a copy of your receipt to yourself and others. You can print a receipt for yourself upon paying for abstract submission by credit card. Print this page for your records as confirmation of submission. You can also access your receipt any time after submission by logging back into the system and clicking on the "Print Friendly Summary" link.
