Travel Award

The Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) is committed to the development of mind and brain research aimed at investigating the psychological, computational, and neuroscientific bases of cognition [read more]. CNS will offer several Travel Awards to support and encourage the participation of junior scientists at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Each Awardee will receive a ribbon and a stipend of $500 USD to help offset travel and registration costs to attend the Annual Meeting.

CNS is grateful to offer the following Travel Awards this year:

Yale Wu Tsai Institute Travel Awards

The Wu Tsai Institute is an interdisciplinary research endeavor at Yale University connecting neuroscience and data science to accelerate breakthroughs in understanding cognition. We advance this mission through fellowship programs, recruitment efforts, and funding opportunities.

NYU Abu Dhabi Center for Brain & Health Travel Award

The Center for Brain & Health at New York University Abu Dhabi aims to advance the understanding of brain function in health and disease, with an emphasis on disorders that are relevant to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Center facilitates interdisciplinary research at the nexus of the university's strengths in brain science, psychology, engineering, and health, pursuing collaborations with its local clinical and industry partners. Many of the Center's projects focus on Multiple Sclerosis, a degenerative disease with high prevalence in the UAE. These projects address core deficits in Multiple Sclerosis: perception, cognition, and motor function.

CNS Community-Supported Travel Awards

The CNS Community-Supported Travel Awards are funded through the generous contributions of our members, who are committed to supporting trainees in attending the Annual Meeting. We extend our sincere gratitude to all who have donated to make these awards possible.

Award Eligibility

All current (paid), Student & Postdoc Members of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society are eligible to apply for the Travel Award.
Applicants must be the first author and presenter of a poster submitted for presentation at the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting.

Application Process (Opening October 6th)

Applicants must have submitted a poster abstract for the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting
Applicants must submit their application by the November 3, 2025 deadline.
Applications must include:
- Abstract Title of your submitted abstract for the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting.
- Brief Personal Statement (500-word limit) - Please include a short statement describing how your research advances the field of Cognitive Neuroscience and supports the Society’s mission.
- Letter of Support from your Advisor - Upload a letter of support from your advisor. Your advisor must be a faculty member or mentor directly supervising your research. Your advisor might consider speaking to why you should be selected for this award; how the award will support you as a student; and how the award would help support your continued contributions to the field.

Presentation Requirements

For the 2026 program, poster presenters must be present to present their research in-person at the meeting in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

Please note that recipients of the Travel Award who withdraw their poster from the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting program, will forfeit their cash prize. Travel Awards cannot be transferred to someone else.

Recipients Receive

Competitive Award ($500 USD)
A ribbon which is placed on their badge at the Annual Meeting.
A special notation on the CNS website indicating the honor.

Winners can collect their cash prize at the Registration desk onsite during the CNS 2026 Annual Meeting.

Process Overview

The CNS Committee members will review each nomination.
Successful candidates are notified by the Society December 5, 2025.
Recipients are not eligible for the award in the following year.

Award Schedule

Applications Open: October 6, 2025
Application Deadline: November 3, 2025
Recipients Announced: December 5, 2025