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Get to know the Bernstein Network!

Get to know the Bernstein Network!

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience

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Bernstein Conference 2026

Bernstein Conference 2025

Bernstein Conference

Bernstein Conference

Welcome

The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience connects experimental and theoretical scientists. It comprises more than 200 research groups and 450 individual scientists from all over the world who combine experimental neuroscientific approaches with theoretical models and computer simulations.

The Bernstein Network was launched in 2004 through a major funding initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) which aimed at advancing the transfer of theoretical knowledge to clinical and technical applications. The network is named after the German physiologist and biophysicist Julius Bernstein (1839-1917).

News

Brussels, Belgium – February 4, 2026

Ultrafast nanolasers mimic how the brain imagines unseen parts of the world

A new study fostered by EBRAINS has demonstrated how networks of spiking nanolasers could emulate a key principle of brain function: to imagine things that we cannot directly perceive by sampling from internal models of the world. The study, led by scientists from the University of Bern in collaboration with Thales Research & Technology located in the Paris-Saclay campus area, has now been published in Nature Communications. Physical computers based on semiconductor lasers represent some of the most promising candidates for next-generation AI systems, given their envisaged advantages in speed, bandwidth and power consumption compared to conventional electronics. The study demonstrates how advances at the intersection of neuroscience, physics and computer science could lead to new forms of artificial intelligence.

Göttingen, Germany – December 19, 2026

How coordination emerges during real-time social interaction

New study from the Cognition of Interaction Collaborative Research Consortium elucidates continuous dynamics of cooperation and competition.

Cologne, Germany – February 6, 2026

Brain network identified for effective treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Deep brain stimulation is a key procedure in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Researchers have now identified the optimal target network in the human brain.

Brussels, Belgium – February 4, 2026

From brains to AI: a new theory of learning through time

A new study published in Nature Communications presents a theory of how the brain can learn complex temporal patterns such as speech, music or movement. The work introduces a framework describing how networks of cortical neurons can use local, real-time signals to recognise patterns that unfold over time, helping bridge a gap between neuroscience and machine learning. Beyond advancing our understanding of brain function, the findings could also inspire new generations of energy-efficient artificial intelligence systems.

Events

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Neuromatch: Python for Computational Science Week

07.02. – 15.02.2026

Online

Self-study week

One of the greatest barriers to getting into computational neuroscience is Python skills, especially in LMICs. Neuromatch are hosting a Python for Computational Science Week, 7-15 February for Python self study of their open-source materials, with community support on Reddit.

Bernstein Conference

BC26_Announcement_Web

Bernstein Conference 2026

Past

Past and future conferences

Become a Member

The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience supports science, research and education in computational neuroscience, and disseminates research themes and findings to the public. Everyone who is active in the field of computational neuroscience or related subjects can become a member of the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience.

Job Offers

PhD-student positions

PhD position in Computational Neuroscience: Curiosity [C3]

Faculty positions

W3-Professorship in Machine Learning in Physics

Other positions

Coordinator Program Development in Neuroscience

Further Job Offers

Stay informed

As a quarterly digest, the public bulletin informs about exciting new topics in computational neuroscience and summarizes the news of the Bernstein Network for the scientifically interested public. The public bulletin is in German only. Register now!

Calls

FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence PhD Thesis Prize

The FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence PhD Thesis Prize is awarded every second year at the FENS Forum and honors a young neuroscientist for his/her outstanding PhD thesis in any domain of neuroscience. Personal prize money: 2.000 €.

Deadline: 15.02.2026

FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence Mentoring Prize

The FENS-Kavli Scholars aim to promote neuroscience and support early-career neuroscientists in Europe. We recognize that mentoring plays an essential role in fostering scientists, but mentoring efforts are often not recognised or rewarded in a scientific career. Personal prize money: 2.000 €.

Deadline: 15.02.2026

Ernst Schering Prize

The Schering Stiftung is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the Ernst Schering Prize 2026. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional achievements in basic research across the life sciences. The prize is designed to support outstanding scientists who are distinguished by their unique scientific profiles. It carries a prize money of € 50,000.
Eligible for nomination are both individual scientists and collaborative teams worldwide: who perform biological, medical, or chemical basic research in the field of biomedicine; whose pioneering research has in recent years resulted in new and inspiring pathways or led to breakthroughs in biomedical knowledge; who actively participate in relevant debates between science and society, or who have started initiatives to guide future generations and inspire them to further their career. A special focus is on nominees actively pursuing their scientific goals for the benefit of society. Nominations are welcome by established scientists, scientific societies, or scientific organizations.

Deadline: 16.02.2026