Dates:

• March 30, 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Brain

• June 2026: Brain, Technology, and Ethics

• September 2026: Neuroscience, Diversity, and Society

Location: Virtual

Hosted by:IBI, World Women in Neuroscience, UBC Neuroethics Canada

In a series of virtual panel discussions, a collaborative effort between the IBI, the World Women in Neuroscience, and UBC Neuroethics Canada will bring together a wide range of voices in dialogue on the impact of women in neuroscience innovation, and will feature distinguished women neuroscientists to explore the intersections of AI, brain, technology, and ethics, and neuroscience, diversity, and society. Through brief presentations and dynamic audience engagement, this series will create a space where ideas are strengthened through conversation across disciplines and borders.

These free virtual events are open to the full neuroscience network of faculty members, students, research trainees, patient and public stakeholders, and other professionals from organizations located on all continents of the world. Beyond knowledge exchange, this initiative will foster global collaboration and mentorship.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Brain

Monday, March 30, 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT

An interactive virtual panel discussion on the current role of artificial intelligence (AI) in neuroscience and the ethical considerations it raises.

Watch the webinar here:

Featured Speakers:

• Brain, Technology, and Ethics

  Please visit us again for updates.

• Neuroscience, Diversity, and Society

  Please visit us again for updates.

Date: July 6-10, 2026

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Hosted by: Federation of European Neuroscience Societies

The FENS Forum is Europe’s largest international neuroscience congress, covering all domains from basic to translational research. Occurring biennially since 1998, the Forum has become a premier scientific event that attracts thousands of scientists and students from around the world to celebrate and share discoveries about the brain and central nervous system.

For more details, please visit: https://fensforum.org/

Date: Aug 31 - Sep 3, 2026

Location: Santiago, Chile

Hosted by: Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Neurosciences

The FALAN Congress brings together neuroscientists from across Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as from the international community. It provides a unique platform to foster scientific exchange, promote collaborations, and support the professional development of our young researchers.

For more details, please visit: https://neurocienciasfalan.org/call-for-symposium-proposals-falan-2026/

Date: November 29 - December 2, 2026

Location: Hilton Sydney, 488 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Hosted by: Australasian Neuroscience Society, Biological Psychiatry Australia, Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society

For more details, please visit: https://www.ans.org.au/

Date: March 20, 2026, 16:30-18:00 CET

Location: Virtual

Hosted by:EBRAINS, IBI

Join us for an interactive conversation with experts to discuss neurotechnologies, brain data protection, and why “Privacy by Design” must guide innovation.

Neurotechnology is no longer a distant promise, it is already here. We believe you deserve “Privacy by Design”.

As neurotechnologies evolve, the risks are real: data breaches that expose intimate brain information, unprecedented profiling of behavior, loss of control over how neural data is used, and the erosion of our privacy of thought. As a user and consumer, your choices matter. By supporting companies that prioritize transparency, human rights, and strong neural data protection, you help set the standards for how mental safety is treated.

View the recording of the webinar here:

Featured Speakers

Date: March 3, 2026, 14:00 - 15:00 CET

Location: Room 3, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Hosted by: United Nations Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development, IBI Crosscultural Working Group

This side event is jointly organised by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development (EMRTD) and the IBI Crosscultural Working Group. This event will examine how Indigenous Data Sovereignty contributes to the realisation of the Right to Development of Indigenous Peoples in the context of emerging technologies. It will explore the risks posed by data extraction, artificial intelligence, neurotechnology and other digital innovations when Indigenous governance systems, knowledge frameworks and consent processes are excluded.

View the Concept Note here: (PDF)

Moderator: Ms. Pia Oberoi, Chief, Right to Development Section, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Panelists

• H.E. Ambassador Francisca Méndez Escobar, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations Office at Geneva

• Prof. Minerva Rivas Velarde, Lead, Disability and Health Lab, Geneva School of Health Science, The Institute for Ethics, History, and the Humanities, University of Geneva, and Coordinator of Europe and Central Asia of the Disability Data Initiative: Data Sovereignty models of e-consent and governance for Indigenous Peoples

• Ms. Klentiana Mahmutaj, Chair, HRC Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development

• Prof. Hervé Chneiweiss, Director of the Neuroscience-Paris Seine-lBPS Laboratory ICNRS INSERM Sorbonne University: Data Sovereignty and the Right to Development for Indigenous Peoples

• Mr. Ghazali Ohorella, Human Rights/Legal Counsel, International Indian Treaty Council (IITC)

Registration and Access
Participants without a UN grounds pass are required to register in advance in order to obtain access to the Palais des Nations:
Access badge registration: https://indico.un.org/event/1022637/registrations/25283/
Participants holding a valid UN grounds pass do not need to register.

Date: December 8-11, 2025

Location: The Egg, Brussels, Belgium

Hosted by: EBRAINS

Join Europe’s leading minds in neuroscience, innovation, and policy for the EBRAINS Summit 2025 – Transforming Brain Research and Medicine!

The EBRAINS Summit brings together leaders in neuroscience, digital innovation, and policy to shape the future of brain research in Europe. Through in-depth talks, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive poster sessions, the event serves as a key meeting point for driving progress in neuroscience – and for discovering how the EBRAINS infrastructure can support your research.

For more details or to register, please visit: https://summit2025.ebrains.eu/

Date: October 15-16, 2025

Location: La Tricoterie, Brussels, Belgium

Hosted by: European Brain Council

The 5th edition of the Brain Innovation Days, organized by the European Brain Council, will take place on October 15-16, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. The aim of the event is to bring the wider brain ecosystem together to foster dialogue, exchange knowledge, accelerate investment in research & innovation, and facilitate business development.

Key players and experts in the brain space across Europe and beyond will be able to connect through a networking-friendly program and innovation showcasing. You can look forward to inspiring keynotes, panel discussions, the Brain Innovation Days Pitch Competition, an Innovation Hall, and much more.

The event will take place at La Tricoterie. Located in the heart of Brussels, the venue offers an outstanding space with easy access by train, public transport, and car (with many different parking facilities in the vicinity). We look forward to welcoming you in this new space – a space of innovation, collaboration, and future-oriented thinking.

This year’s Brain Innovation Days will take place under the overarching theme “The Adaptive Brain in a Fast-Evolving World“!

The main theme will revolve around 4 subthemes:

🧠 Brain Research Frontiers: Driving Europe’s Innovation Leadership

🏫 Brain Health Equity: Closing the Gap to Leave No One Behind 

🏥 Youth Culture: Shaping Brain Health in the Modern World

⚙️ Beyond Neuroscience: Reimagining the World Through a Brain Health Lens

The program will include a wide array of session types, including plenary sessions, inspiring Brain Talks, Innovation Showcase, matchmaking and networking activities, the Brain Innovation Days Pitch Competition, workshops, panel discussions, fireside chats and other session formats still in development!

For more details, please visit: https://www.braininnovationdays.eu/

Date: Oct 20 - 22, 2025
Meeting type: Conference

Hosted by: Korea Brain Research Institute
Organized by: IBI Emotional Brain Working Group

The IBI Daegu Conference 2025 will be held from October 20 to 22, 2025 at the Korea Brain Research Institute in Daegu, Korea. Please find the program below:

For more details, please contact:

• Dr. Jawook Koo: jawook.koo@kbri.re.kr

• Dr. Yaesung Park: sunnypark@kbri.re.kr

Register (free) for this in-person event here: http://bit.ly/4gY2ET5

Date: October 9, 2025

Location: Virtual

Hosted by: CSA BrainHealth

The Coordination & Support Action BrainHealth is pleased to invite you to its high-level "Webinar for Global Funders in the Brain Field".

Third in a series of webinars aiming at informing global stakeholders about the upcoming Partnership and putting EU brain research on the global stage, the CSA BrainHealth Webinar “Towards a Global Brain Health Data Space” will take place on 9th of October 2025 at 14:00 – 15:40 CEST. Gathering global actors in brain health, the webinar will explore regional perspectives and priorities, together with identifying barriers and opportunities for collaboration towards a global brain health data space.


To register, please visit: https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1x3X_D5tzRUmu_STlBkaVAQ2djkas

Date: September 24 - 26, 2025

Location: New York, USA

Hosted by: European Brain Council

As part of the Global Brain Coalition, the European Brain Council will host a high-level side event in the framework of the Science Summit at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York City on 24-26 September 2025.

IBI's Drs. Anthony J. Hannan and Prof. Alfred K. Njamnshi will be speaking at the panel on "From Fragmentation to Coordination: Building a Global Brain Research Framework” (Sep 26, 2025: 14:45 - 15:25 ET). This panel will explore how international collaboration can accelerate brain research and innovation, strengthen synergies across initiatives, and address barriers to data sharing and capacity building.

The discussion will highlight opportunities to align global efforts and ensure research translates into tangible benefits for citizens and societies worldwide.

For more details, please visit: https://www.braincouncil.eu/event/unga80/

Date: September 4, 2025

Location: Cinvestav, Mexico City, Mexico

Hosted by: LATBrain

Connecting Efforts in Latin America to Treat Diseases and Understand the Brain

This hybrid event will focus on promoting the research of the brain in the Latin American region. The aim is to show the strengths of the region and promote the organization of collaborative networks and consortiums to advance the understanding of the functioning of the brain and the search for strategies to control its pathologies.

This event will be an extraordinary opportunity to share the experience and vision about brain health research of high-level speakers of the region and internationally well-established consortiums. Special emphasis will be placed on the search for support and actions to promote innovation and scientific advances in Latin America through the establishment of collaborations among countries.

For more details, please visit: https://latbrain.com/2025/06/18/first-summit-of-the-latin-american-brain-initiative-latbrain/

Date: October 6-8, 2025

Location: York University, Toronto, ON, Canada

Hosted by: Connected Minds

The Connected Minds Conference 2025 promises to be a dynamic and inspiring gathering, where ideas and innovation come alive. This October, we’ll convene academics, industry leaders, and policymakers with the Connected Minds community to explore the intersection of technology, health, and society. Through engaging panel discussions, insightful keynotes, and rich conversations, participants will delve into critical topics shaping our world.

The conference will feature vibrant poster sessions and exhibitions from leading organizations and partners, showcasing advancements that push boundaries and spark new possibilities. Beyond the sessions, it’s an opportunity to network, exchange knowledge, and collaborate across disciplines in a setting designed to foster creativity and transformative thinking. Whether you come to share, learn, or connect, the Connected Minds Academic Conference is your platform to help shape the future!

For more details or to register, please visit: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/connected-minds-exploring-the-intersection-of-brain-machines-society/

Date: August 24-27, 2025

Location: Songdo Convensia, Incheon, South Korea

Hosted by: Korean Society for Brain and Neural Sciences

This year’s gathering holds special significance as it unites leading neuroscientists from around the globe—particularly from China, Japan, and Korea—to share groundbreaking discoveries, strengthen collaborative ties, and deepen regional partnerships in neuroscience research.

The meeting offers a rich and dynamic scientific program, featuring renowned presidential, plenary, and special lecture speakers, carefully selected cutting-edge symposia, special sessions in collaboration with various neuroscience fields (clinical neuroscience, medicinal neuroscience, neuroengineering, brain-inspired AI, etc), educational sessions designed to inspire young neuroscientists, journal editor sessions, and lively poster presentations that reflect the diversity and depth of our field. This meeting is not only a platform for scientific exchange but also a celebration of the progress we continue to make in understanding the brain and advancing human health.

For more details, please visit: https://www.ksbns2025.org/

Time and date: 13:00-17:00 JST, Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Location: Conference Room 301A, Toki Messe, Niigata, Japan

Hosted by: IBI Data Standards and Sharing Working Group

Drs. Kenji Doya, Franco Pestilli, and other members of the IBI Data Standards and Sharing Working Group are organizing a satellite symposium at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society, titled "Computational Approaches to Brain Function: Integrating Theory and Experiment."

The symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue between experimental and theoretical neuroscientists, focusing on the integration of computational infrastructure, models, and data to advance our understanding of brain function. The program will feature keynote presentations from world leaders in the space, providing a platform for researchers to share insights and collaborate on cutting-edge topics and discuss the integration of data, platforms, and models across nations.

Attendance is free, and the registration page will open soon.

For more details, please visit: https://digitalbrainproject.github.io/home/JNS2025satellite.html

Hosted by the Brain/MINDS 2.0’s Digital Brain Project, the aim of the Digital Brain Seminar series is to bring together people who are interested in creating Digital Brain, a digital reconstruction of the brain in structural, dynamic, and functional aspects at different scales in different species.

For a list of the upcoming and past seminars, please visit: https://digitalbrainproject.github.io/seminar/

All seminars are held online or hybrid. Kindly register for the Zoom details.

The talks may also be viewed at their YouTube channel.

Date: 23 April 2025

Location: Munich, Germany (and virtually)

Hosted by: IBI Neuroethics Working Group, together with the IEEE Standards on Global Neuroethics

The IBI Neuroethics Working Group, together with the IEEE Standards on Global Neuroethics, will hold a session at the International Neuroethics Society Annual Meeting on “International Neuroethics and its Challenges” on April 23, 2025 at Munich, Germany.

The panel, featuring IBI members Drs. Marcello Ienca, Tamami Fukushi, Katherine Bassil, Jennifer Chandler, and Judy Illes, will facilitate deep, interactive discussions on pressing ethical dilemmas surrounding the global management of neural data and the regulation of wellness technologies. By addressing these topics in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, the session aims to identify pathways for translating ethical frameworks into practical, internationally relevant solutions.

For more details and to register, please visit: https://neuroethicssociety.org/meeting/current/schedule/

Date: 5 - 9 October 2024

Location:
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
United States

Hosted by: Society for Neuroscience

Neuroscience 2024 will feature lectures, symposia, and events for scientists at all career stages. Sessions and events at the annual meeting are designed to provide attendees with a range of opportunities, including scientific enrichment, career development, and professional networking.

For more information, please visit: https://www.sfn.org/meetings/neuroscience-2024

Date: Jul 29 - 31, 2024
Meeting type: Conference

Hosted by: Korea Brain Research Institute
Organized by: IBI Emotional Brain Working Group

“Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease”

Join us for an illuminating exploration of "Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease" at the International Brain Initiative (IBI) Daegu Conference 2024, hosted by the IBI Emotional Brain Working Group. Over three days, we will delve into the complexities of the human brain's emotional dimensions in both health and disease states, featuring a comprehensive series of four symposia spanning the duration of the conference.

Overview

Day 1: July 29, 2024

Opening Keynote: Professor Paul Frankland delves into "The Ontogeny of Hippocampus-Dependent Memory," shedding light on the developmental stages of memory formation.

Symposium 1: Memory/Cognitive Impairment

Explore the neural basis of memory formation and cognitive function, from memory engram stability to emotional inference encoding.

Day 2: July 30, 2024

Symposium 2: Reward/Motivation/Addiction"

Discover the neural circuits underlying reward, motivation, and addiction, offering new perspectives on addictive behaviors and potential interventions

Symposium 3: Psychosis/Schizophrenia

Delve into the neurobiology of psychosis and schizophrenia, from innovative imaging techniques to insights into developmental origins.

Day 3: July 31, 2024

Symposium 4: Stress/Sociality/Depression

Uncover the intricate links between stress, sociality, and depression, examining genetic, neural, and environmental factors influencing emotional well-being.

Conference Summary

The IBI Daegu Conference 2024 – Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease, hosted by the Korea Brain Research Institute, was a resounding success, bringing together leading experts from around the globe to share and discuss their groundbreaking research. Over three days, attendees were treated to a series of thought-provoking lectures and symposia that covered a wide array of topics, from memory and cognitive impairment to the intricate mechanisms underlying psychosis, schizophrenia, and addiction.

Opening Lecture

The conference began with an insightful lecture by Paul Frankland from the University of Toronto. His presentation on the ontogeny of hippocampus-dependent memory set the tone for the event, providing a comprehensive overview of how memory processes develop in the hippocampus. Attendees appreciated the depth of his research and the clarity of his presentation.

Symposium Highlights

Memory and Cognitive Impairment

Chaired by Satoshi Kida, this symposium featured compelling presentations on memory engram stability and flexibility, synaptic plasticity, and the emotional and behavioral impacts of brain projections. Denise Cai, Ayako Watabe, Jin Hee Han, and Josh Johansen offered invaluable insights into how our brains store and modify memories, making significant contributions to our understanding of cognitive processes.

Stress, Sociality, and Depression

Weidong Li led a symposium that delved into the behavioral differences in animals and the neural circuits involved in social recognition. The talks by Chan Young Shin, Yong-seok Lee, Anthony J. Hannan, and Alfred J. Robison were particularly well-received for their exploration of gene-environment interactions and the role of androgen receptors in stress resilience. These presentations highlighted the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and behavior.

Psychosis and Schizophrenia

Jong Cheol Rah chaired a session that explored the multifaceted nature of psychotic disorders. Akira Sawa’s longitudinal study on homeostatic signalling in neural connectivity, Min-A Kim’s imaging studies in schizophrenia, Sang Ki Park’s research on cell fate decisions, and Konstantin Khodosevich’s work on schizophrenia mechanisms were all pivotal in advancing our understanding of these severe mental health conditions.

Reward, Motivation, and Addiction

The final symposium, chaired by Ja Wook Koo, focused on the brain’s reward systems and addiction. Presentations by Hyung-Bae Kwon, Alicia Che, Michelle Mazei-Robison, and Tristan Shuman provided fresh perspectives on how dopamine and oxytocin influence behavior and neural synchronization. Their research underscored the potential for new therapeutic strategies in treating addiction and related disorders.

Networking and Collaboration

One of the highlights of the conference was the active participation of students and early-career researchers. Hosted by the Korea Brain Research Institute, the event provided numerous opportunities for these emerging scientists to network with established researchers and peers from around the world. Informal discussions during breaks, poster sessions, and dedicated networking events facilitated vibrant exchanges of ideas and fostered new collaborations. These interactions are expected to lead to future advancements in neuroscience and opened doors for many young researchers to join ongoing projects or initiate new ones.

Conclusion

As the conference drew to a close, it was clear that it had achieved its goals of disseminating cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration, and inspiring future studies. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement about the future directions of neuroscience.

The success of this conference highlights the importance of international collaboration and the ongoing need to support and share scientific research. We look forward to the continued impact of the knowledge and connections made during this event.

Best Poster Award Recipients

• Sung-Rae Kim, Seoul National University: A main olfactory-to-limbic circuit for social novelty preference
  

• Kyung-Cheol Roh, Seoul National University: Astrocytic control of dopaminergic-nerual circuit in the formation of winning memories
  

• Joong-Hyun Pyo, POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology): Dopaminergic modulation of posterior basolateral amygdala circuits mediates transition of defensive behavior
  

• Se-Jin Jung, Korea Brain Research Institute Neurovascular Unit Research Group: Myelin basic protein plays an important role in regulating cocaine seeking behaviors
  

• Joo-Yeon Lee, Korea Brain Research Institute Sensory Motor System Research Group: Neural sound processing in noise in the mouse auditory midbrain
  

• Jin-Sun Yoo, Korea Brain Research Institute Sensory Motor System Research Group: Chronic Ketamin Administration Impairs Short-Term Memory Performance and Reduces Glutamatergic Transmission
  

• Kyu-Sung Kim, Korea Brain Research Institute Dementia Research Group: Pathological effects of PM 2.5 exposure on the brain and its link to neurodegenerative disease progression