Naturalistic Neuroscience: From perception to action and back
NN2026 will be held 28-29 of May 2026 at University of Bonn.
In the real world, sensory information shapes our decision and actions, but the reverse is equally true: our actions determine which information we obtain next. From the perspective of the brain, this closed-loop planning problem is radically more complex than the open-loop setting common in cognitive and systems neuroscience, where a brain is stimulated and its response recorded in short trials. Naturalistic neuroscience seeks to understand this perspective with experimental paradigms that seek to strike a balance between full experimental control and full realism.
This international symposium brings together experts from diverse fields to explore the current state and future directions for naturalistic neuroscience research. As a two-day event, NN2026 spotlights substantive research, novel neurotechnology, and theoretical underpinnings in naturalistic neuroscience. In addition to a series of distinguished keynote talks, participants will have the opportunity to present their work through oral or poster presentations. During the symposium, it will also be possible to visit local naturalistic neuroscience and virtual reality facilities.
NN2026 is hosted by caian – Centre for AI and Neuroscience at University of Bonn, and supported by NeurotechEU – The European University of Brain and Technology and the iBehave network as the event aims to strengthen the local neuroscience community while fostering global collaborations.
Invited speakers (confirmed):
- Gareth Barnes (University College London)
- Georg Keller (Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research)
- Karin Roelofs (Radboud University)
- Katja Reinhard (Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati)
- Neil Burgess (University College London)
- Matthias Stangl (Boston University)
Scientific Committee
- Prof. Dr. Dr. Dominik R. Bach (University of Bonn and University College London)
- Dr. Sabine Krabbe (German Center for Neurodegenerative Disease)
- Prof. Dr. Floris de Lange (Radboud University Nijmegen and University of Bonn)
Application & Registration
Application and registration are currently closed. They will open in mid-February.
Registration will close on Sunday April 19, 2026.
Click on the buttons below to learn more about the procedures.
Overview Ticket Prices and Fees
Conference Tickets: 20 EUR
Ticket to Social Dinner: 50 EUR
Programme
NN2026 offers a two-day programme, including key notes, talks, poster sessions, as well as lab visits and the opportunity for informal exchange and networking over a social dinner.
7
Keynotes
15
Talks
2
Poster sessions
Facility visits and lab tours
Participating labs
Our Sponsors
We thank the following organizations and companies for their support of our event.
tba
Supported by
This event at the University of Bonn is kindly supported by the following infrastructure and programes:
caian - The Centre for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence
Caian is a research centre within the Transdisciplinary Research Area "Life and Health" at University of Bonn. It aims to enhance the understanding of life across theoretical and disciplinary boundaries at the interface of neuroscience, psychiatry, and computer science.
NeurotechEU - The European University of Brain and Technology
NeurotechEU is a European network of nine leading universities focusing on neurotechnology, co-funded by the European Union. This university alliance set out to educate the next generation of top scientists and health care professionals, to improve quality of life for everyone.
iBehave Network - Empowering the Future of Neuroscience
The iBehave Network brings together neuroscientists, computational scientists and clinicians from NRW to answer fundamental questions about brain development and function and to develop new technologies.
Contact
Conference Office