Competition for the Best Scientific Paper by an Early Career Author

The Czech Neuroscience Society (CNS) is pleased to announce a new competition to recognize outstanding early-career scientists conducting neuroscience research in the Czech Republic.

Eligible participants, either the first author or the corresponding author, are invited to submit their published scientific paper for evaluation by the CNS committee. Laureates will be required to present their work in a public lecture organized by the CNS and will receive an honorary cash prize. The competition will be announced twice a year.

Eligibility and Rules

• The applicant must be the first or corresponding author of an original research (not a review) article in neuroscience published (accepted) in a peer-reviewed high quality journal.
• The applicant must be affiliated with a research institution in the Czech Republic on the evaluated paper.
• The applicant must be a CNS member in good standing at the time of the paper's acceptance date and at the time of the competition submission deadline.
• The paper must have been accepted between 1.1.2025 – 30.6.2026
• The applicant must be under 10 years from the PhD title defense (excluding periods of parental leave) at the time of the paper's acceptance. PhD students may also apply if eligible.
• If one paper would be submitted by more than one eligible applicant, the price would be shared if awarded.
• Applications must include PDF of the accepted paper (in case when the paper is not published a proof of acceptance is required), a short CV of the applicant and confirmed date of the PhD defense. Parental leave proof, if applicable.
• The applications must be sent to CNS by 31.7.2026.
• The application should be sent to the CNS email ( neuroved@biomed.cas.cz ) and in copy to the CNS award committee head Dr. Jan Svoboda ( jan.svoboda@fgu.cas.cz ) and society scientific secretary Dr. Helena Janickova ( helena.janickova@fgu.cas.cz )
• The selected awardee is required to deliver a public presentation/lecture on the topic of the awarded paper (40 mins + discussion). The presentation will be organized by the CNS. The date and place will be arranged in coordination with the awardee.
• The CNS reserves the right to withhold the award or to grant multiple awards in a single round of the competition.