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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.

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.

Chemnitz, Germany – January 30, 2026

Reaping the benefits of the brain’s information processing principles

The Chair of Artificial Intelligence at Chemnitz University of Technology and the Chair of Neuropsychology at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg want to make artificial intelligence more powerful by drawing inspiration from the brain's habit learning processes.

Events

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1st EBRAINS Student Conference on Interdisciplinary Brain Research

11.03. – 13.03.2026

Nice, France

Conference

The human brain is an incredibly complex system, best understood through a blend of knowledge and practices from various scientific fields. The EBRAINS Student Conference on Interdisciplinary Brain Research offers an open platform for early career researchers to exchange innovative ideas across disciplines relevant to brain research and neuroscience. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the data-driven, multidisciplinary approach to brain research fostered by EBRAINS, as well as gain hands-on experience with its platform and tools. The conference promotes extensive scientific dialogue, both intra- and interdisciplinary, among peers and faculty through lectures, workshops, hands-on training, and social events. The conference will take place on-site at Château de Valrose, University Côte d’Azur, in beautiful Nice, France. Organised by the EBRAINS Education Programme and the EBRAINS Student Ambassadors.

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

Other positions

Coordinator Program Development in Neuroscience

Faculty positions

Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and AI Security)

Faculty positions

Reader In Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning, NLP, Reinforcement Learning, and AI Security)

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

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

Else Kröner Memorialstipendien 2026

Die Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung möchte besonders begabte und motivierte klinisch und wissenschaftlich tätige Ärztinnen und Ärzte am Beginn ihres Berufsweges unterstützen, durch eine zweijährige Freistellung von klinischen Aufgaben ein besonders erfolgversprechendes medizinisches Forschungsvorhaben signifikant weiterzubringen. Damit soll der Grundstein zur wissenschaftlichen Selbständigkeit und zur Karriere als Clinician Scientist gelegt werden. Dazu schreibt die Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung auf dem gesamten Gebiet der Medizin in der Regel bis zu sechs Individualstipendien mit einer Laufzeit von zwei Jahren für junge Ärztinnen und Ärzte in der Weiterbildungsphase aus. Das Stipendium ist mit insgesamt 250.000 € dotiert und dient primär der Finanzierung der eigenen Stelle (Brutto-Jahresgehalt) während der Freistellung.

Deadline: 25.02.2026

Taiwan-German Collaboration in Research

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) are launching a call for proposals for outstanding joint research projects.
This initiative aims to bring together relevant and competitive researchers from Germany and Taiwan to design and carry out collaborative research projects. Funds to be used on the Taiwanese side must be requested from the NSTC; funds to be used on the German side must be requested from the DFG. Special attention is given to the integrated character of proposed projects, from the concept to the work plan. Funding is only available for projects that involve a convincing collaboration between the German and Taiwanese partners and for which the anticipated research benefit is clearly outlined. The collaborative projects selected will receive research funding for a period of up to three years.

Deadline: 25.02.2026