Ontario Student Neuroscience Conference 2026
Presented by NANSA at University of Toronto
A student-led conference showcasing neuroscience research from students across Ontario — keynotes, workshops, talks, and posters.
At a glance
- Date & time
- Monday, August 24, 2026
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM - Location
- Bahen Centre for Information Technology
40 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 2E4
University of Toronto, St. George campus - Host
- NANSA — Neurological and Neurodegenerative Disease Student Association, University of Toronto
- Who it's for
- Any student enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Ontario, in any program
- Registration
- $15.99 early bird until August 17, then $20. Closes August 19.
About the conference
A province-wide stage for neuroscience students.
The Ontario Student Neuroscience Conference is a student-led academic conference built to showcase neuroscience research and spark collaboration among students across the province.
OSNC is open to any student enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Ontario — undergraduate, graduate, and medical students among them — whatever your program or major. If your work touches the nervous system, there's a place for it here.
Across the day you'll find keynote lectures, workshops, oral and poster presentation sessions, thematic symposia, and structured networking — alongside faculty, graduate program representatives, industry professionals, and neurological disease charities.
The programme
What to expect on the day.
Keynote lectures
Leading neuroscience researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals on where the field is heading.
Oral presentations
Selected students present original research to a full room, with time for questions from peers and faculty.
Poster sessions
Dedicated poster blocks built for conversation — the format where most collaborations actually start.
Workshops
Practical sessions led by facilitators on emerging methods in neuroscience and neurotechnology.
Thematic symposia
Focused blocks and panel discussions organised around specific themes in neuroscience research.
Structured networking
Time set aside to meet faculty, graduate program reps, industry, and non-profit organisations.
Call for abstracts
Present your research at OSNC.
Any student enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Ontario is invited to submit an abstract, in any program or major. One application covers both the oral and poster tracks — tell us your preference and we'll match you to a session.
Oral presentation
A full talk in front of the conference, followed by live Q&A with students and faculty — usually the better fit if your project has results to discuss.
Poster presentation
Stand with your poster for a dedicated session and talk one-to-one with students, faculty, and industry. In-progress work, pilot data, and literature reviews are all welcome here.
How to apply
Four steps
Check you're eligible
You're currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Ontario, in any program, and you're presenting research you contributed to directly.
Prepare your abstract
Write for a general neuroscience audience rather than specialists in your subfield. Full requirements are set out on the application form.
Submit the application form
One form covers both tracks. Tell us your institution and program, your supervisor and co-authors, and whether you'd prefer an oral or poster slot.
Register for the conference
Submitting an abstract does not register you. Everyone attending OSNC needs to register, presenters included — don't leave it until after decisions go out.
Abstract submission
Closes August 15, 11:59 PM ET
One form covers both oral and poster tracks. If your work isn't finished yet, submit anyway — in-progress projects are welcome, particularly for posters.
- Successful applicants notified by August 17
- Presenting authors must also register to attend
Questions? Email osnc.ca@gmail.com
Registration
Save your seat for August 24.
Registration is open to students, faculty, and professionals with an interest in neuroscience — you don't need to be presenting to attend. Everyone attending OSNC must register, including presenters.
Early bird
$15.99
Until August 17
Regular
$20
August 18 – 19
Registration closes August 19. Refunds are issued up to seven days before the conference (August 17); after that we can't refund.
Your registration includes
- Full-day access to all keynotes and symposia
- Lunch included, plus refreshments throughout the day
- Structured networking with faculty, graduate programs, and industry
Key dates
Mark your calendar.
Two deadlines matter most: abstracts on August 15, and registration on August 19. Everything closes before the conference, so don't leave either to the last day.
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Saturday, August 15, 2026 — 11:59 PM ET
Abstract submission deadline
Final cut-off for abstracts, for both the oral and poster tracks. Late submissions can't be reviewed.
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Monday, August 17, 2026
Presenter decisions released
Successful applicants are notified by email with their assigned format and session.
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Monday, August 17, 2026
Early-bird pricing ends — and the refund deadline
Registration rises from $15.99 to $20. This is also the last day we can issue a refund, seven days out from the conference.
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Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Registration closes
Last chance to secure a place — for attendees and presenters alike.
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Monday, August 24, 2026 — 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
OSNC 2026
A full day of keynotes, workshops, talks, posters, and networking at the Bahen Centre, University of Toronto.
Who attends
Who you'll meet at OSNC.
OSNC deliberately mixes people who rarely cross paths — students early in their research, the faculty who supervise them, the programs recruiting them, and the organisations and companies working on the same diseases.
If you're a student
Present a summer project to an audience that gets it, get questions that sharpen the work, and meet the graduate programs you're about to apply to — whatever your program or major.
If you're faculty
See what's coming out of undergraduate and graduate labs across the province, and meet students looking for their next position.
If you're an organisation
Connect directly with Ontario's next generation of neuroscience researchers — and with the student community raising awareness for neurological disease.
Our supporters
Made possible by our sponsors.
OSNC is a student-run conference. Sponsorship is what keeps it accessible to students across Ontario.
Arts & Science Students' Union
University of Toronto
Lunch on the day
Interested in sponsoring OSNC 2026? We'd like to hear from you.
The organisers
About NANSA.
The Neurological and Neurodegenerative Disease Student Association is a student-run organisation at the University of Toronto committed to fostering student interest in research related to neurological diseases — through networking, workshops, mentorship, and speaker series.
Alongside that, NANSA raises funds and promotes awareness for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases throughout our community. OSNC is our largest event of the year.
More about NANSAOur mission
To foster student interest in neurological and neurodegenerative disease research by providing meaningful opportunities for networking, mentorship, workshops, and career development — while raising awareness and funds for those affected by these diseases.
Good to know
FAQ
Registering & attending
Do I have to present to attend?
No. Registration is open to anyone interested in neuroscience — students, faculty, and professionals. Presenting is optional and requires a separate abstract submission.
Does everyone need to register, including presenters?
Yes. Everyone attending OSNC needs to register, including students presenting a talk or a poster. Submitting an abstract does not register you for the conference — they are two separate steps.
How much does registration cost?
Early-bird registration is $15.99 until August 17, 2026. After that it's $20. Registration closes on August 19, 2026.
What if I can no longer attend after registering?
Please contact us as soon as you can. Refunds are issued up to seven days before the conference — that is, until August 17, 2026. After that date we're not able to issue a refund.
I'm not a University of Toronto student — can I still take part?
Absolutely. OSNC is province-wide, and students from every Ontario institution are encouraged to register and to submit an abstract.
Are travel grants available for students outside the Greater Toronto Area?
Not this year. We'd like to offer travel support for students travelling from outside the GTA in future iterations of OSNC.
Are accessibility accommodations available?
Yes. Let us know what you need on the registration form, or email osnc.ca@gmail.com, and we'll arrange it.
Presenting your research
Who is eligible to present?
Any student enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Ontario, in any program or major. You don't need to be in a neuroscience program to submit. You should have contributed directly to the research you're presenting.
Can I submit work that isn't finished?
Yes. OSNC is timed for mid-August precisely because summer projects are wrapping up. In-progress work, pilot data, and literature reviews are all welcome — the poster track is usually the better fit for these.
Can I choose between an oral and a poster presentation?
You indicate a preference on the application form — one form covers both tracks. Final assignments are made by the OSNC committee based on the programme and the number of submissions in each theme, so we can't guarantee your first choice.
Two of us worked on the same study — can we submit together?
Only one person can submit the abstract and present the poster or symposium talk. The other individual can be listed as a co-author or acknowledged on the poster or slides.
There is one exception: if each of you is responsible for a distinct sub-study of a larger project, and your findings don't overlap, you can both submit and present separately.
Will you cover the cost of poster printing?
No — printing is at your own cost. Many supervisors will reimburse poster printing, so it's worth asking your lab before you print.
When will I hear back?
Abstracts close on August 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, and successful applicants are notified by email on or before August 17, 2026.
On the day
Where exactly is it being held?
The Bahen Centre for Information Technology, on the University of Toronto's St. George campus — 40 St George St, Toronto, ON M5S 2E4.
What time does the conference start and end?
OSNC runs from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Is there a dress code?
Business casual.
Still have a question? Email us at osnc.ca@gmail.com.