FKNE Mentoring Prize 2026 & FKNE PhD Thesis Prize 2026

Ends on 15 February 2026

The FKNE Mentoring Prize 2026 Mentoring Prize is awarded every second year at the FENS Forum and honours an individual who has demonstrated leadership in fostering the careers of neuroscientists.

Personal prize money: EUR 2.000 

This award will honour an individual who has demonstrated leadership in fostering the careers of neuroscientists.

Commitment to mentoring may be demonstrated for example by:

• recommendations from mentees representing different career stages (students, postdocs, PIs, technicians);
• evidence of support to trainees experiencing personal or professional difficulties;
  trainees’ career path and successes (both academic and non-academic);
• evidence of mentoring junior colleagues outside of the immediate supervision (e.g., comments on grant proposals and manuscripts, experimental assistance, career advice).

Eligibility:

• the nominee must be a neuroscientist with a PhD, MD or equivalent;
• the nominee must currently be a head of a research laboratory in a FENS member country with responsibility for mentoring (for example supervising students, postdoctoral researchers or technicians);
• the nominee is prepared to write a brief statement (500 words) on their mentoring vision if shortlisted for the FKNE Mentoring Prize 2026;
• the nominee has to be available to attend the FENS Forum 2026 (Barcelona, 6-10 July 2026).

Find out more about the award here.