In collaboration with neuroscience societies around the world, IBRO holds international congresses once every four years to promote the field of neuroscience, increase awareness about neuroscience research and facilitate collaboration between students, teachers, researchers and other stakeholders.
The 10th IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience will be hosted by the Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI) and The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Science (KSBNS) in Daegu, South Korea, from 21-25 September 2019.
Call for Symposia is now closed. Those selected will be posted here when available.
A key objective of IBRO-sponsored congresses is to advance neuroscience in regions that need assistance. This can be achieved by holding regional congresses and meetings and by facilitating the participation of scientists from economically-challenged regions at congresses and meetings held in parts of the world with greater scientific strength and resources. To further facilitate this role, the congress/meeting venues alternate from region to region.
Close collaboration of the Congress organizers with IBRO leadership, the World Congress Committee and other scientific societies and related organizations is encouraged. Such links should help ensure that these events achieve their science-fostering goals, add valuable resources and reduce risk.
Those making decisions on the dates and location of IBRO-sponsored congresses and meetings should take into consideration the need to avoid conflicts with other international or regional neuroscience meetings.
Who may bid
Any IBRO member society or organization can bid to host an IBRO World Congress. Letters of interest are first requested approximately one year before the next World Congress and a shortlist is determined in consultation with the World Congress Committee and IBRO leadership. The selected shortlist candidates are then asked to submit a full proposal.
The bid is to be accompanied by a letter from the member society representative to the IBRO Governing Council describing why his/her proposal offers the strongest justification for hosting the next IBRO World Congress. The letter should also certify that the IBRO member will assume full responsibility for the management and financing of the Congress.
The proposals that best meet IBRO requirements will be made available to all members of the Governing Council who will determine the next host location of the World Congress through an electronic voting process organized by the IBRO Secretariat.
Next Steps
Once the venue has been selected, the next step for the host society is to establish two committees: The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the International Scientific Program Committee.
The Local Organizing Committee shall be responsible for the appointment of the following officers:
- Honorary President of the Congress
- Chair of the Local Organizing Committee
- Treasurer of the Congress
- Chair(s) of the International Scientific Program Committee
The Local Organizing Committee shall select the list of scientific themes of the Congress Program to be proposed to the IBRO Executive Committee for approval. The Local Organizing Committee shall also present to the IBRO Governing Council a slate of candidates for the election of members of the International Scientific Program Committee of the Congress.
The selection of these candidates shall involve broad consultation and be based on their expertise in the areas of neuroscience encompassed by the themes of the Congress. For each theme, two candidates will be proposed. In making up the pool of candidates, the Local Organizing Committee shall take into account the need for balanced gender and geographical representation of the candidates. The Governing Council of IBRO shall elect the members of the International Scientific Programme Committee of the Congress by electronic ballot organised by the IBRO Secretariat.
The Member Organization organizing the Congress carries all financial responsibilities for the Congress. Within six months after the end of the Congress, the Treasurer of the Congress shall submit an audited financial report to IBRO. The use of any financial profit arising from the Congress shall be negotiated with IBRO.
Throughout the planning of the Congress, the Local Organising Committee shall endeavour to work in close collaboration with IBRO’s Secretary General and the World Congress Committee.
The Governing Council shall have final decision-making authority in all essential matters pertaining to the organisation of IBRO Congresses. (Article III of the By-Laws).
Issues to be considered by the organizers of IBRO Congresses:
1. One plenary session in the main scientific programme entitled “The IBRO Presidential Symposium,” to be planned in conjunction with IBRO and taking place at or shortly after the opening of the Congress.
2. A convenient scheduling of three other special sessions on:
• IBRO activities
• Alumni
• A subject of special interest such as “Women in World Neuroscience” or a topic of particular regional significance
3. The organisation of the IBRO World Congress Young Investigator Training Programme (YITP) that provides short laboratory stays before or after the World Congress in the region or country where it is being held as well as YITP World Congress participation.
4. Special scientific and satellite activities such as lab visits, training courses or advocacy events for IBRO Alumni, young investigators, other Congress participants and the public.
5. A broad range of available housing options that can provide low-cost to high-end accommodation for Congress participants.
6. A reasonable number of low-cost registration fees for IBRO Alumni and investigators from economically-disadvantaged regions of the world.
7. The gathering of information on issues that are relevant to IBRO’s mission and activities (e.g. information on geographic and gender distribution, age, strength of local/regional neuroscience community, etc.)
IBRO World Congresses
Lausanne, Switzerland (1982) – 2500 delegates
Budapest, Hungary (1987) – 3000 delegates
Montréal, Canada (1991) – 3500 delegates
Kyoto, Japan (1995) – 3500 delegates
Jerusalem, Israel (1999) – 3500 delegates
Prague, Czech Republic ( 2003) – 4000 delegates
Melbourne, Australia ( 2007) – 2500 delegates
Florence, Italy ( 2011) – 4200 delegates
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2015) – 2500 delegates
Daegu, South Korea (2019)
