Dear EAN members, colleagues, and friends,
It is my pleasure to write to you with a selection of important updates from across the EAN’s scientific activities. Over recent months, I have had the privilege of working closely with many of you on initiatives that not only strengthen our community but also expand our opportunities for collaboration, leadership, and learning. The EAN continues to thrive thanks to the enthusiasm, expertise, and dedication of its members, and I am delighted to share some of our latest developments, as well as information on several exciting events to come.
I would like to begin with news regarding the Scientific & Coordinating Panels, which remain one of the strongest threads within the EAN and are often referred to as our scientific backbone. They play an essential role in shaping the EAN Congress programme and, for the EAN Congress 2026 in Geneva, they have already provided more than 280 proposals—a remarkable demonstration of the creativity and commitment of our panel members.
The EAN Board has decided to align the Management Group (MG) elections for the Coordinating Panels with those of the Scientific Panels, which will streamline processes, and ensure a more coordinated approach. The Management Groups, which typically consist of three to six elected members led by two co-chairpersons, work in close partnership with the Scientific Committee to guide the work of each panel. Elections are held every two years in the autumn, and the timeline for the 2025 elections is as follows:
- 1 September – Call for applications opens for the Scientific & Coordinating Panels’ Management Groups
- October – Voting period
- End of 2025 – Announcement of results
Management Groups are elected by panel members, and all active members (FEAN, Full, or RRFS) are eligible to apply. Serving on a Management Group is both a responsibility and a privilege: it offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the direction of scientific progress within Europe, develop leadership skills, and work alongside distinguished colleagues from across the continent. I encourage all eligible members with a passion for advancing neurology to consider standing for election.
I am also pleased to highlight a new and exciting contribution from our panels—the EAN Panel Yearbook. This initiative forms part of our ongoing mission to promote scientific excellence and foster deeper collaboration within the EAN community. The yearbook is designed to be “quick to read yet essential to know, offering concise overviews of the most important contributions to neurological literature and recent scientific progress, as selected by our Scientific & Coordinating Panels.
This first edition of the EAN Panel Yearbook was officially presented during the Opening Session of the EAN Congress 2025 in Helsinki and has already been warmly received. It is intended for neurologists specialising in the respective panel fields, as well as for the broader neurological community seeking an accessible overview of key developments in our discipline.
Available exclusively in digital format, the EAN Panel Yearbook can be accessed on our website at EAN Panel Yearbook 2025 – ean.org. I encourage you to explore this new resource, which reflects the expertise and breadth of knowledge within our panels, and to share it with colleagues who may benefit from its insights.
Looking ahead, preparations are well underway for the 5th EAN Science School, which will take place on 13–17 March 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. The overarching theme for this edition will be Updated Concepts and Emerging Fields in Translational Neurosciences. As in previous years, the programme will combine high-quality scientific lectures with interactive workshops and rich opportunities for networking.
Applications for the Science School are now open and will remain so until 20 October 2025. This event is designed for early-career neurologists who wish to broaden their scientific expertise while engaging with peers from across Europe and beyond. More details, including the application process, can be found on our website at: https://www.ean.org/research/programmes-and-funding/science-school.
Another major development is the forthcoming launch of the Certificate in Clinical Research in Neurology (CCRN). Officially launching at the EAN Congress 2026 in Geneva, the CCRN is a two-year course offered free of charge to EAN full individual and RRFS members. It is aimed primarily at neurology residents, trainees, and research fellows who wish to build their knowledge and skills in clinical research.
The programme will provide participants with the tools needed to design, conduct, analyse, and publish clinical research to the highest standards. It will also encourage networking among peers and foster academic development, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to contribute to the advancement of neurological science.
The first application period for the CCRN will open in December 2025 and close on 20 January 2026, with successful applicants notified by March 2026. Those interested will find full details on the EAN website at Certificate – Clinical Research in Neurology – ean.org
These developments—our newly-aligned Panel Management Group elections, the launch of the Panel Yearbook, the upcoming Science School, and the introduction of the CCRN programme—demonstrate the EAN’s ongoing commitment to supporting excellence in neurology through leadership opportunities, scientific resources, and educational pathways.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all who contribute to these initiatives, from panel members and faculty to applicants and participants. Your dedication is what makes the EAN such a vibrant and forward-looking community.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events and to continuing our shared work to push the boundaries of neurological research, education, and care.
Best regards,
Gereon R. Fink
EAN Scientific Committee Chair
