2026 Neurobiology of Cognition Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on the Neurobiology of Cognition has been a flagship meeting for this highly interdisciplinary field since its inception in 2010. The 2026 convocation will be the eighth meeting in the series. The long-term goal of the conference is to improve the treatment of cognitive disorders through a better understanding of human cognitive function in health and disease. To this end, the conference has four main goals: To promote discussion and collaboration between scientists working in different domains of cognitive neuroscience; to highlight important recent discoveries and gaps in our knowledge; to encourage intensive discussion of new and unpublished findings that have the potential to change the field; to enhance the career- long growth of scientists in the field, with a particular emphasis on junior scientists and trainees. To achieve these aims, the conference brings together leading experts with early-career scientists and trainees for a weeklong experience characterized by both cutting-edge research presentations and relaxed interactions. Broad topics to be covered include memory, decision-making, perception, action, and social cognition. GRC speakers are encouraged to present and emphasize new results and cutting-edge laboratory techniques. In addition, two sessions on topics of emerging interest are introduced to the itinerary this year: one devoted to the interface of cognitive neuroscience and artificial intelligence, and the other focused on advances in transcranial and intracranial neuromodulation in the context of basic research and clinical treatment. Twenty-nine invited speakers will join approximately 120 additional investigators and trainees for the weeklong conference. The GRC will be preceded by the Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on the Neurobiology of Cognition, geared toward graduate students and postdoc attendees. The GRC format fosters communication and collaboration by hosting the meeting in a remote location and encouraging all attendees to participate for the entire week. Speakers are invited on the basis of their availability to stay for the entire conference, with exemptions reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The 9 GRC sessions begin with the first session Sunday evening, and two per day Monday through Thursday. Daily meals are held together in a communal dining room, and free time for recreational activities and informal scientific discourse is left open in the afternoon. This meeting structure helps to break down barriers between topic subfields and career ranks, and provides unique networking and mentorship opportunities. The organizers of the GRC and GRS make extensive efforts to select speakers who represent perspectives from across the field. Priority for acceptance to the attend the meeting and for funding support will be given to trainees. Through its 14-year history, the Neurobiology of Cognition GRC has helped to grow this field and has fostered career growth and new collaborations. The chairs of the GRS and GRC expect the 2026 meeting will be another successful rendition of this flagship meeting.