Up to $5,000 Neuroscience Society Seeding Grant

The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) funds the first in-person or hybrid meeting that sets up a new neuroscience society or thematic network in Africa, Asia-Pacific or Latin America. The money pays for inaugural activities such as governance planning or strategy workshops, held in 2027, by groups of scientists who are not yet a formally established body.

What you get:

• Up to 5,000 USD for activities held in Africa, up to 4,000 USD in Latin America, and up to 2,000 USD in Asia-Pacific
• Covers venue rental, participant travel and accommodation, event materials, and audio-visual costs for hybrid sessions
• Administrative costs such as promotion and outreach, capped at 10 percent of the budget
• 80 percent of the grant paid two months before the activity, the remaining 20 percent after the final report

What you'll do:

• Plan and run an inaugural in-person or hybrid activity in 2027 that launches a formal neuroscience society, sub-society or thematic network
• Set out governance structures and a long-term sustainability plan for the new body
• Submit a funding report through the IBRO Grants Portal within three months of the activity

Key dates:

• Applications open: 28 August 2026 (portal) / 1 September 2026 (programme page)
• Applications close: 30 September 2026, 11:59 PM CEST
• Decisions: IBRO typically aims to respond within six weeks of the deadline
• Funded activities take place in 2027

More information:

• Full call details on the IBRO programme page
• Region is set by IBRO's country classifications, which follow World Bank naming
• IBRO Grants FAQ and Funding Terms and Conditions on ibro.org

• Emerging neuroscience societies not yet formally established, or groups actively planning to form one
• Groups based in Africa, Asia-Pacific or Latin America, in regions with little or no formal structure for neuroscience exchange
• Where a national society already exists, groups may apply only if they are formally creating a dedicated sub-society or regional chapter that meets unmet needs
• At least one letter of support from recognised neuroscience leaders or institutions in the region; applications without one are incomplete
• Activities must take place in 2027, in person or hybrid; fully virtual activities are not eligible
• Standalone conferences without a clear plan to establish a society are not funded
• Salaries, stipends, speaker honoraria and equipment purchases are not eligible costs
• Applicants create a free account on the IBRO Grants Portal