Schräge Slider Startseite

Schräge Slider Startseite

Get to know the Bernstein Network!

Get to know the Bernstein Network!

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience

Schräge Slider Startseite

Schräge Slider Startseite

Search and find our scientists now!

Search and find scientists now!

Find a Scientist

Find a Scientist

Schräge Slider Startseite

Schräge Slider Startseite

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

Cologne, Germany – September 26, 2026

Can sadness be measured?

Researchers at the University of Cologne are heading a new collaborative project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space to investigate how technologies are changing our understanding of sadness, anxiety, and pain.

Cologne, Germany – September 21, 2026

What flies, mice, and humans have in common when it comes to movement

A study published in PNAS reveals a common principle underlying joint movement, and shows that ageing weakens the propulsive strength in all species studied. New open-source software enables movement patterns to be compared across species.

Bern, Switzerland – September 17, 2026

Novel learning mechanism for brain-inspired networks

A research team led by the University of Bern has developed a novel learning mechanism for neural networks modeled after the human brain. “Spike-based Alignment Learning” uses random fluctuations in the activity of artificial neurons to reveal asymmetric connections, allowing synapses that are far apart to autonomously align with one another without communicating directly. This approach could help us better understand learning processes in the brain and develop robust, energy-efficient, brain-inspired computer systems.

Frankfurt am Main, Germany – September 16, 2026

International brain researchers gather in Frankfurt for the Bernstein Conference 2026

From September 28 to October 1, 2026, more than 600 researchers from around the world will gather at Goethe University Frankfurt to discuss current questions in Computational Neuroscience. Highlights include the presentation of the Valentin Braitenberg Award to Xiao-Jing Wang and a special evening event celebrating the 100th birthday of the award’s namesake.

Events



Developing Minds: “Mechanisms of socially guided vocal learning in human infants and songbirds: Connecting contingency to curiosity-driven learning” (Michael H. Goldstein)

15.10. – 15.10.2026

Online

Lecture series

In 1950, Alan Turing asked "Instead of trying to produce a programme to simulate the adult mind, why not rather try to produce one which simulates the child's?" Today, 75 years later, constructing a computer program that can learn like a child and that develops a human-like general intelligence and consciousness is still considered a grand, if not the ultimate, challenge for artificial intelligence (AI). An interdisciplinary community of scientists from AI, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Engineering, and Neuroscience are tackling this grand challenge. In the Developing Minds global lecture series we showcase the progress being made. It is organized by the Developmental AI Task Force of the IEEE Technical Committee on Cognitive and Developmental Systems of the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society. See also: IEEE Int. Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL), IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems (TCDS).

Bernstein Conference

BC26_Registration_Web

Register Now

BC26_Schedule_web

Detailed Schedule

BC26_Announcement_Web

Bernstein Conference 2026

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

Faculty positions

Associate or Full Professor in Cognitive and Psychological Sciences

Postdoc positions

Postdoctoral Researcher in Computer Vision and Multimodal AI for the Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease

Postdoc positions

Postdoc position: Investigating neuronal mechanisms of learning

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/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme

FENS and IBRO-PERC are offering funding of up to EUR 4.000 each to early career researchers interested in participating in cross-border laboratory visits. FENS and the IBRO Pan-Europe Regional Committee (IBRO-PERC) are dedicated to supporting early career researchers and promoting intra-European mobility. The FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme is designed to advance neuroscience research and training in Europe by enabling master or PhD students and early postdoctoral fellows to broaden their methodological expertise through targeted laboratory visits.

Deadline: 15.10.2026

Schilling Research Award of the German Neuroscience Society 2027

This prize is awarded by the NWG, biennial in the odd years, for outstanding achievements in the field of brain research. The prize of 20,000 Euro is intended to support young scientists up to 5 years after completion of the thesis considering individual conditions as specified in the DFG regulations.
A prerequisite for a successful application is outstanding research work documented by publications. The candidate should work in a German laboratory or work as a German abroad. Both self-applications and nominations are invited. Applications from all areas of neuroscience are welcome. Membership in the GNS is not mandatory. The prize will be awarded at the Göttingen meeting ( 17 – 19 March 2027), where the prize winner will give a lecture.

Deadline: 15.10.2026

Brain Awareness Week 2027 – FENS-Dana grants

Every year, on behalf of the Dana Foundation, FENS offers financial support of up to EUR 1,000 to Brain Awareness Week event organisers in Europe.

Deadline: 15.10.2026