SfN Council Reviews Public Communication, Advocacy Efforts
The SfN Council met on April 21–22 at the Society’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. During this meeting, Council approved SfN’s proposed budget, heard updates from its committees, discussed planning for Neuroscience 2026, and approved a slate of replacements for SfN’s outgoing committee members.
Spring Committee Meeting Updates
The Public Education & Communications Committee (PECC) reported on the planning of the press program for Neuroscience 2026. At Neuroscience 2025, PECC partnered with the AAAS SciLine service, which provides scientific experts and briefings for local reporters, to bring 27 new journalists to the meeting for a press briefing on autism. PECC intends to continue to connect with SciLine for its input on topics for the Neuroscience 2026 briefing. The committee will review abstracts for eight press conferences once the abstract submission period closes in June. Council also heard an update on the Brain Awareness Week video contest, which closed at the end of June. The committee implemented new rules for this year’s contest addressing the use of AI in producing the videos and encouraged members to sponsor a submission to get early career members engaged in presenting science.
Council received an update from the Government and Public Affairs Committee (GPA) on its continued advocacy efforts in the current political landscape. SfN held its 20th annual Hill Day virtually March 17–19. Participants included representatives from SfN’s volunteer leadership, key advocacy contacts, the 2026 Early Career Policy Ambassadors, and representatives from SfN’s coalition partners. In total, 53 advocates held 74 meetings across 30 states. The predominant conversation focused on NIH-funded research and the BRAIN Initiative. The secondary ask was regarding the ethical, responsible, and appropriate use of animal models in biomedical research. SfN was able to secure proclamations from the District of Columbia and Maryland recognizing Brain Awareness Week during Hill Day. Council also heard an update on planning for Neuroscience 2026, noting that this year’s Advocacy Forum will be held as a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill focusing on public funding and the development of gene therapeutics and treatments for neurologic developmental disorders.
Council heard an update from the Committee on Animals in Research (CAR). The committee’s spring meeting focused on supporting researchers under attack, advocacy efforts, and planning for the Animals in Research panel at Neuroscience 2026. SfN continues to champion legislative language and bills supporting the use of animal models in biomedical research. Committee members have held follow-up meetings with representatives from key congressional districts. SfN has also partnered with external organizations to oppose proposed restrictions on the use of non-human primates, canines, and felines through research funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Council reviewed and approved the Committee on Committees’ (CoC) proposed slate of new committee members to begin their terms at Neuroscience 2026. The CoC’s mission is to ensure the participation of SfN’s membership across the Society’s volunteer leadership.
Neuroscience 2026
SfN staff and the Program Committee reviewed feedback from the Neuroscience 2025 Annual Meeting Survey to further improve Neuroscience 2026, taking place in Washington, D.C., November 14–18. Abstract submission opened May 27 and closed June 11. Late-breaking abstracts will open September 8 and close September 15, or when the cap of 2,500 abstracts is reached. New for 2026, abstracts in Theme K: History, Education, and Society will be accepted during the late-breaking abstracts submission period. Applications for neuroscience networking events are currently open and will remain open through October 22.
