The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) carried out its mission this year in supporting the neuroscience community in several impactful ways.

FENS Forum

FENS organised the largest neuroscience meeting in Europe, the 13th FENS Forum 2022, in collaboration with the Société des Neurosciences, which took place in Paris, France on 9-13 July. The event welcomed 7,890 participants from 92 countries and hosted more than 400 speakers, 22 plenary and special lectures, 56 scientific symposia, 22 satellite and networking events and 19 special interest events covering all aspects in modern brain research. It also provided exclusive learning and networking opportunities, as researchers from all around the world were able to meet, share knowledge and celebrate excellence in neuroscience.

European Journal of Neuroscience (EJN)

The official journal of FENS, the European Journal of Neuroscience, is led by a diverse editorial team and provides a vehicle for publication that furthers the understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system in both health and disease and engages with issues of importance to the neuroscience community. Starting in July 2022, EJN launched the FENS-Kavli Network Editorials series which catalyses discussions in the wider neuroscience field and opens doors to new actions that may improve the future of brain research. Initial topics ranged from mentorship challenges associated with the pandemic to alternative funding models for neuroscience and environmentally conscious research practices in biosciences. More will come in 2023!

Advocacy, outreach and engagement

During Brain Awareness Week 2022, the FENS Committee on Animals in Research (CARE) issued a ‘Commentary on calls to phase out animal experiments’ following the European Parliament’s Motion for Resolution in 2021. It clarified the need for animal research and described how a ban would have a negative impact on progress in brain research and the development of better medical treatments, European Health innovations, the economy and animal welfare in global research. FENS also continued awarding its BAW grants on behalf of the Dana Foundation, and supported 33 projects from 19 European countries. The ALBA Network was focused this year on expanding definitions of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by increasing community engagement and raising awareness of certain specific forms of bias and discrimination that have sometimes received less attention. FENS was also a proud participant in the European Brain Research Area (EBRA) EU Project and its Final Conference.

Supporting early- and mid-career researchers

The FENS Committee for Higher Education and Training (CHET) organised a number of webinars to support the professional development of early career neuroscientists. It also supported the European Neuroscience Conference by Doctoral Students (ENCODS) in Paris, France, organised by and for PhD neuroscience students. The Network of European Neuroscience Schools (NENS) offered Exchange Grants to Master’s and PhD students who were able to learn new techniques in labs outside of their home countries. FENS was also able to relaunch its Summer School in Bertinoro, Italy in May. It provided a broad perspective on ‘Artificial and natural computations for sensory perception’. The FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence (FKNE) supported scientific exchanges and a number of key discussions and events as well as its EJN editorials.

FENS will host its yearly programme of meetings and training activities and develop new activities, both in-person and online.

Education & Training

The FENS-Hertie Winter School “Neuro-immune interactions in health and disease” will take place between 29 Jan-4 Feb 2023 in Tyrol, Austria. Organised by FENS and the Hertie Foundation, it targets PhD students and early post-doctoral fellows based in Europe. The new FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme will be launched in January 2023 and aims to foster and broaden the scope of their methodological training by supporting goal-directed laboratory visits in established European laboratories.

The FENS-TCCI-NeuroLéman Summer School 2023: “Motor control: from thought to action” will take place on 2-8 July 2023, at EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.

The FENS-Hertie Winter School 2023 will take place on 3-9 December 2023, in Obergurgl, Austria.

Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness Week 2023: FENS, on behalf of the Dana Foundation, will offer financial support of up to 1,000 EUR to event organisers within Europe during the Brain Awareness Week (13-19 March 2023).

European Journal of Neuroscience (EJN)

Throughout 2023, EJN will continue to publish ground-breaking research in neuroscience while embracing innovation to provide a balanced, open and rigorous publishing experience. By recognising new needs and facilitating knowledge exchange, the journal will reinforce the scientific community as well as its invaluable impact on society.

Communications Initiatives

FENS Cast, the federation’s first ever podcast series, will be launched in January 2023. The first season features FENS member scientists focusing on various areas of brain research, from the use of AI in neuroscience to neuroscience seen from a philosophical perspective. A new episode will be released each month on Podbean and on the FENS website. FENS Voices, a written interview series, will continue highlighting the FENS neuroscience community by showcasing their impact, inspiring and informing future neuroscientists and the public and initiating dialogue and exchange about brain research.

Meetings in 2023

The Brain Conference: “Establishment and Maintenance of Brain Cell States”, taking place on 23-26 Apr 2023 in Rungsted Kyst, Denmark. Organised by FENS, alongside Lundbeck Foundation.

ENCODS 2023: “Labcoats and Laptops: Neuroscience through different lenses”, will take place on 1-2 May 2023 in Faro, Portugal. Organised by ENCODS.

FENS Regional Meeting 2023 (FRM 2023), taking place on 3-5 May in Algarve, Portugal. It is organised by the Portuguese Society for Neuroscience (SPN).

The next Brain Conference will take place on 18-21 October 2023, Rungsted Kyst, Denmark.

Meetings in 2024

FENS Forum 2024 will be organised by FENS in partnership with the Austrian Neuroscience Association and the Hungarian Neuroscience Society and will take place on 25-29 June 2024 in Vienna, Austria. This Forum will bring together experts in all fields of neuroscience to take us to the forefront of our current understanding of modern brain science.