From 11–13 March 2026, the inaugural EBRAINS Student Conference on Interdisciplinary Brain Research brought together an enthusiastic and diverse group of early-career researchers to engage in cutting-edge brain science discussions and networking.
With 101 attendees from 21 countries, including 56 women and 45 men, the conference proved to be a vibrant international forum fostering interdisciplinary exchange.
The event welcomed participants across multiple career stages, including bachelor and master students, PhD candidates, post-docs, senior researchers, developers, and other professionals, reflecting the rich diversity of the EBRAINS community. With 101 attendees, the conference saw strong engagement and active participation.
A Collaborative Effort in Nice
This first edition was made possible through a close collaboration with Neuromod, who hosted the conference locally in Nice, France, at the Château de Valrose. Together with the EBRAINS team, Neuromod played a key role in shaping and delivering this event.
The scientific programme was designed and organised by a dedicated group of 18 EBRAINS Student Ambassadors, motivated early-career researchers from across the EBRAINS network, who came together to design a conference truly tailored for students, by students.
A Rich Programme of Scientific Presentations and Networking
The conference featured a remarkable scientific programme designed by early-career researchers for their peers.
Keynote speakers included Hannah Monyer (German Cancer Research Center), who explored how inhibitory neurones control neuronal networks locally and at long distances, emphasising their implications in health and disease. Sandra Diaz Pier (Forschungszentrum Jülich) delivered a keynote on leveraging high-performance computing to optimise brain models across scales.
Sabine Liebscher (Medical University Innsbruck) presented on circuit dysfunction beyond cell loss in neurodegeneration, revealing hidden mechanisms underlying brain disorders. Sergii Tukaiev (Università della Svizzera Italiana & Taras Shevchenko National University) shared insights into the neurophysiology of emotional burnout and related biomarkers. Barbora Rehák-Bučková (Radboud University Medical Centre) discussed the promises and pitfalls of normative modelling in precision medicine, highlighting cutting-edge approaches to individualised brain research.
Besides keynote lectures, attendees explored a variety of workshops introducing EBRAINS tools for brain research, including tutorials on neuromorphic hardware, neural network simulations, and brain atlas access. The programme also featured sessions on personalised brain modeling and promoted inclusive collaboration through a workshop on equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Together, these keynote talks and workshops provided an engaging and versatile programme that combined state-of-the-art neuroscience with practical skill-building for the next generation of brain researchers.
42 students and young researchers presented their own work
A total of 22 oral abstract presentations and 42 poster presentations highlighted innovative research projects spanning many facets of brain science. These sessions allowed young scientists to share insights, receive feedback, and forge new collaborations in a supportive environment.
We were pleased to support 10 students funded by Neuromod through their generous travel grants, enabling broader participation. Additionally, we were delighted to welcome researchers from the African Brain Data Network, whose attendance was kindly sponsored to further strengthen global collaboration.
Fostering Connections Across Borders
Beyond the scientific programme, the conference facilitated numerous opportunities for networking and informal dialogue. Participants connected through dedicated sessions that encouraged questions, collaborative discussions, and sharing of experiences. These interactions created a dynamic atmosphere for community building and mentorship within the EBRAINS ecosystem.
Looking Forward
The success of the 1st EBRAINS Student Conference sets a promising precedent for future editions, continuing to empower young researchers and strengthen the international brain research community. On behalf of the EBRAINS Education Programme and Organising Committee, sincere thanks go to all attendees, presenters, workshop leaders, and contributors who made this first conference an inspiring and memorable event.
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