2026 Media Policy and Credentials

Media Policy 

  • Press credentials are reserved for working media from accredited organizations attending the SfN event for the purpose of editorial coverage. To expedite registration, review the required credentials at the bottom of this page. Press credentials are provided at SfN’s discretion and do not indicate SfN endorsement. All decisions are final. 
  • Research within an abstract to be presented at an SfN event is embargoed until the start of the in-person presentation of the abstract unless the abstract falls in either of the two categories below. Abstracts that fall in either of the two categories below are only embargoed until the start of the SfN event’s in-person programming. 
    • Abstracts uploaded to the SfN-event virtual platform prior to the start of the SfN event’s in-person programming.
    • Abstracts involved in an SfN-hosted press conference during the SfN event. 
  • All embargoes lift at the conclusion of the event’s in-person programming. Advance promotion of general topics, speakers, or presentation times is permitted and encouraged. 
  • Photography, video, and audio recording by credentialed media are permitted during in-person attendance at press conferences or in the Press Interview Room (in-person events only). All other recordings during the event, including virtual poster and exhibit content, must adhere to the SfN Photography & Recording Policy. 
  • Media must introduce themselves to event attendees as a member of the press before requesting an interview or recording. Event attendees must explicitly approve any recording of their data, limited to uses described under a Creative Commons Attribution + Noncommercial + ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. All requests by event attendees to not record and/or publish data must be honored. 
  • (In-person events only) Credentialed media must wear their meeting badge including a “press” ribbon at all times. 
  • (In-person events only) In order for non-SfN press releases to be distributed in the SfN Press Room, they must be directly related to science being presented at the meeting and are under embargo for release until the start of the presentation. Press releases and related materials may be accepted at SfN's discretion and do not indicate SfN endorsement. All decisions are final. 
  • SfN does not share, rent, or sell media registration information.
  • Credentialed media who violate the Media Policy may have their media privileges revoked. 

Credentials 

Press credentials are reserved for working media engaged in reporting and distributing information directly to the general public. Event exhibitors, scientists, non-news journal staff, and representatives of sales, advertising, public relations, financial, political, or marketing firms are ineligible for press credentials. 

Submit credential requests and accompanying verification documents to mediareg@sfn.org. 

Freelance Writers

Freelance writers must provide:

  • A letter of assignment from a news outlet that engages in reporting and distributing information directly to the general public or two bylined articles within the last three years from a news organization and
  • Documentation of active membership from a professional journalism organization (e.g., membership card, letter confirming active membership). 

Journalism Professors and Students

  • Journalism professors must send an email requesting a press pass for their students. Professors may request a press pass for themselves. Send the email to mediareg@sfn.org before the event. 
  • Journalism students must email mediareg@sfn.org and state their desire to attend the event, the name and contact information of their professor, and their university/institution. Send the email to mediareg@sfn.org before the event.

Journal News Staff 

Journal news staff must provide: 

  • A current publication masthead, editorial page, or business card listing applicant name and title of journal and
  • A bylined article within the last three years indicating the applicant as a staff editor, writer, reporter, or regular contributor. 

Traditional Media

Journalists associated with traditional media outlets (e.g., TV, radio, newspapers, online news organizations) must provide: 

  • A current publication masthead or editorial page listing applicant's name and editorial title (e.g., staff editor, writer, reporter, regular contributor), or a bylined article within the last three years, or a business card listing applicant's name, title, and address of the media outlet. 

Public Information Officers

Public information officers and writers must submit: 

  • Documentation of active membership from a professional journalism organization (e.g., membership card, letter confirming active membership); a current publication masthead showing applicant's name and title (i.e., public information officer, news director); a business card that notes applicant's name, title, and address; or a bylined article within the last three years indicating the applicant is a staff editor or writer. 

Former U.S. government communications staff separated from employment on or after January 20, 2025, must provide: 

  • Documentation of separation (e.g., a link to an updated LinkedIn page, screenshot of termination language) and
  • One bylined publication within the last three years from a U.S. government agency. 

Creator Media

Creator media (e.g., bloggers, podcasters, social media influencers, YouTubers) must provide proof that their channel: 

  • Has been publishing for at least a year
  • Regularly produces original neuroscience-related content aimed at a scientific or general audience 
  • Is listed on a major creator platform 
  • Has a demonstratable audience and 
  • Discloses any sponsorships.