Abstracts and Sessions
When can I submit my abstract?
Abstracts are accepted for a two-week submission period in June. Late-breaking abstracts are not accepted. Learn more about abstracts.
Can I be a presenting author on an abstract if I am not an SfN member?
The submitting author of an abstract is required to be an active SfN member. Any of the co-authors included in an abstract's author block can be the presenting author. Membership is not required to be a presenting author. If the submitting author is an SfN student member, the student member must also be listed as the presenting author.
What is the difference between the presenting author and the submitting author?
The author listed as the presenting author in the author block is expected to present the abstract at the annual meeting. The presenting author’s name will appear in bold in the abstract’s author block. The presenting author must register for the meeting to present the abstract. The submitting author is the SfN member whose account is used to submit the abstract. The submitting author is designated with an asterisk in the abstract’s author block.
May my coworkers and I present sequentially?
Use the linking group feature in the online abstract submission system to indicate to the Program Committee that you wish to be sessioned with other submitters in a poster session or nanosymposium. The limit is 20 abstracts in a single poster session linking group and 14 abstracts in a nanosymposium linking group; however, please note no more than two abstracts from the same lab can be included in a nanosymposium. All abstracts in a linking group must be submitted under the same themes and topics and presentation preference. While SfN makes every effort to honor linking group requests, we cannot guarantee linking groups or special requests for sessioning (e.g. specific order of abstracts), which are left to the discretion of the Program Committee. Cohesion of the scientific program is priority over special grouping requests.
Am I automatically registered for the meeting by submitting an abstract?
No, you must register for the annual meeting separately. Payment of the abstract handling fee does not include registration for the annual meeting. If you are presenting an abstract at the meeting, you may not register as a guest; guest registration is limited to members of the nonscientific community. An abstract presenter must register as a member, nonmember, student member, or student nonmember. View the annual meeting registration section of SfN.org for more information.
When will I receive confirmation of receipt of my abstract?
An email confirmation is automatically sent to submitting authors after their abstract has been finalized. You must complete all steps of the abstract submission form and submit the abstract handling fee for your abstract to be considered finalized.
I am the presenting author of an abstract but am unable to attend the meeting. What should I do?
Although the presenting author is the preferred presenter, any of the co-authors listed in the author block on the submitted abstract may present without having to notify SfN. The presenter must be listed as a co-author on the abstract as submitted to SfN. If none of the co-authors listed in the author block are able to present the abstract, the presenting author may request that their abstract be marked as "Withdrawn" or "Unable to Attend." Notifications will be sent to all presenting authors allowing them to make this request.
When can I find out my presentation information?
Presentation information is sent to all presenting authors via email in August (status of abstract acceptance or rejection) and September (session information and individual presentation time information for accepted abstracts). To ensure you receive all SfN correspondence, add program@sfn.org, SfN_Program@abstractsonline.com, and sfn@support.ctimeetingtech.com to your email "safe senders" list. Presentation information is only sent to presenting authors. It is the responsibility of the presenting author to forward communications regarding presentation information to co-authors.
Is there any way to ensure that I have a nanosymposium?
Selection for this presentation format is not guaranteed and is competitive due to there being a greater demand than there is space. Session assignments are made according to availability, merit, quality, and thematic need. The Program Committee will make the final decision regarding session placement for abstracts. All sessioning assignments are final.
May I take photographs on the poster floor?
Please review the photography and recording policy.
May I bring my live exhibit to the meeting?
No, live exhibits are prohibited.
May I request a refund for my abstract handling fee?
No, the fee is for processing and nonrefundable. Once the abstract has been submitted, it is considered processed.
What size is the poster board space?
Poster boards are 6 feet (1.8m) wide and 4 feet (1.2m) high.
What are the themes and topics for abstract submission?
The Program Committee uses a list of themes and topics to determine how abstracts will be grouped together in poster or nanosymposium sessions. The list incorporates basic science and disease-related topics under the same themes, which allow the Program Committee to create scientific sessions that will allow for increased interactions between basic science and disease-related researchers. The list is reviewed and adjusted annually by the committee. Review the themes and topics list.
How can I access a copy of my abstract submission and/or print a receipt for my abstract handling fee?
Visit www.sfn.org/cfa to log into your Presenter Portal to access a read-only copy of your abstract submission and your receipt for your paid abstract handling fee.
