The ISM slots, provided by SfN, offer international opportunities for submitting abstracts for the SfN Annual Meeting and registering at a discounted member rate, benefiting thus individuals with limited resources to join multiple societies and encouraging increased participation among developing countries.

Through the ISM Slots program, we anticipate strengthening our collaboration with the relevant regional partner organization, such as the Federation of Neuroscience Societies of Latin America and the Caribbean (FALAN) with the objective of ensuring the full use of this opportunity by your eligible members and the neuroscience community in your region.

What does this administration change mean?

Annually, SfN provides an agreed number of 5-digit unique codes for each world region within IBRO’s purview. IBRO is then responsible for the administrative handling of the program.
In advance of the abstract submission period, which starts on 23 April 2024 and closes on 7 May 2024, IBRO initiates a call for applications that, in collaboration with our regional partners, is communicated as widely as possible to scientists in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.

A definite number of interested participants will receive a unique code from IBRO on a first-come, first-served basis that they will subsequently use when submitting their abstracts receiving a discounted member rate. Following the abstract submission, individuals with ISM Slot codes are recorded into SfN’s
registration system and may then receive the benefit of registering at the meeting starting from 16 July 2024 at an SfN member rate.

How can you get involved?

This is an exciting opportunity for IBRO and FALAN to actively collaborate in promoting this initiative across your region.
While the ISM Slot codes can be claimed by any number of audiences, Master’s and PhD students and postdoctoral candidates from developing countries should be prioritized, followed by individuals in Category I, II, and III countries of the region as defined by the World Bank.
FALAN members who are already SfN Members should refrain from using an ISM code as part of their Abstract submission and registration to the meeting.

By sharing this opportunity within your network and when relevant, among your membership, you actively contribute to reaching eligible individuals from your region who may truly benefit from this program, making our collective effort more impactful and inclusive.

Naturally, and as described above, IBRO will be responsible for allocating the ISM slots to the applicants.

What are the next steps?

In March 2024, in advance of the publication of the call for the ISM Slots, we will share a promotional package for the ISM slots that your society can utilize for the dissemination of this opportunity in your region.

In addition, we will share further information and detailed instructions on using the ISM Slot codes to submit an Abstract and how to register for Neuroscience 2024 at an SfN Member rate.

IBRO is excited to work closely with you in our continued efforts to promote neuroscience around the world. We appreciate your support and collaboration and remain at your disposal for any questions you may have.

Kind regards,
Angeliki Lorents on Behalf of IBRO Secretariat
External Relations and Events Coordinator
www.ibro.org