ACNS 2025 Conference
Abstract Submission

Abstract submission deadline: Friday 15th August

ACNS encourages submission of abstracts describing new research in cognitive neuroscience, defined broadly as the study of the relationship between the brain, mind and behaviour. Abstracts must be written in understandable English and will be evaluated on the basis of scientific merit by peer review. Abstracts should report original data that will not be published elsewhere prior to the meeting, although presentation at a recent meeting (e.g., within a year) of another society is acceptable. We encourage all types of research: new research and preliminary findings, protocols and registered reports, theoretical reports, systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Abstracts that are accepted for presentation will be published in the conference proceedings, which will be published on the ACNS website. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to make editorial corrections to submitted abstracts.

Please review the submission instructions carefully below.

• The presenting author must register and attend ACNS2025.
• The presenting author will receive an email confirming abstract submission.
• If you do not receive an email response within 3 days after submission, ACNS did not receive your abstract. In this case, it is your responsibility to contact the Local Organising Committee Chairs (email: conference@acns.org.au ).
• The presenting author will be notified of abstract acceptance by Friday 26th September, and format of the presentation by the last week of October.
• All correspondence about abstract submissions will be sent to the presenting author only.
• Each registrant may be presenting author on one submission only.
• If the presenting author is a student, they are eligible to apply for a travel stipend. Please indicate your student status at the time of registration (e.g., PhD, Masters, undergraduate). Only ACNS student members at the time of registration are eligible for this stipend.

Presentation Formats

Poster

All posters will be displayed in a Poster Gala session.

Open talk

There will be opportunities for oral presentations within open paper sessions. These will be selected on thematic content and quality of abstract. Open talks will be 15 minutes, including time for questions.

Fast talk

This format provides the opportunity to present work in a brief talk format. Fast talks will be 5 minutes.

Symposia

This format provides the opportunity for multiple oral presentations on a single topic within a 1.5-to-2 hour session. These will be selected on thematic content and quality of abstract. Each symposium talk will be 15 minutes, including time for questions, with 4-6 speakers.

• include speakers, preferably from different institutions, who are able to address a range of different perspectives and/or methods.
• include at least one early or mid-career (EMCR) researcher (defined as <10 years post-PhD).
• have two co-chairs, one of whom is an EMCR
• include 4-6 speakers with clearly linked content.
• include time for an integrative discussion of the topic, of up to 30 minutes at the end of the symposia.
• align with ACNS principles on equity and diversity. For example, there should be consideration of gender balance in the symposia speakers.

1. Symposium title.
2. Names and contact details of the proposer (who must be an ACNS member) and co-chairs of the session (the proposers can also serve as symposium chairs).
3. A summary of content and significance (500 words).
4. Names and contact details of 4-6 speakers and the titles of their talks.
5. An abstract of each talk (250 words per speaker)

Submission instructions

All abstracts must be prepared in plain text, in understandable English with no embedded symbols or formatting characters.

Submissions may not include charts, graphs, tables or references. Please spell out the symbols (alpha, beta, microns, picomolar, etc.) or translate them (mean, chi square, etc.) in your abstract submission.

• Use a clear, descriptive title. Do not use capital letters and restrict to 20 words maximum.
• Enter each author and list their primary affiliation/institution. Do not abbreviate the affiliation.
• Include full first and last names for each author.
• The body of the Abstract must not exceed 250 words. It should not include section subheadings, but must clearly indicate background, methods, results and discussion.
• If you wish to provide a funding source for your research, please include it as the last sentence in your abstract.
• Proofread your submission. Then proofread it again.
• Consider submitting your abstract earlier than the deadline. ACNS welcomes early submissions!

We encourage all types of research: new research and preliminary findings, protocols, theoretical reports, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. If in doubt, please contact the Local Organising Committee Chairs: conference@acns.org.au