GIMM’s Group Leader, Zita Carvalho dos Santos, has been selected as one of the 2026 FENS-Kavli Scholars, joining a prestigious network of Europe’s most promising early-career neuroscientists.

The FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence (FKNE), an initiative of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and The Kavli Foundation, recognises outstanding independent researchers for their scientific excellence, originality and leadership. This year, only 15 scientists from 12 European countries were selected to join the network, following a highly competitive evaluation process.

“I’m honoured to join the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence and to become part of such an inspiring community of neuroscientists. Many of the biggest questions in neuroscience cannot be answered by a single laboratory or discipline, so I’m looking forward to exchanging ideas, building new collaborations and contributing to initiatives that strengthen neuroscience across Europe. I’m also very proud to represent GIMM in this network”, states Zita.

The new cohort will become part of an active community of 30 researchers working across 21 countries to advance neuroscience through scientific collaboration, advocacy and public engagement. Scholars are appointed for an initial two-year term, with the opportunity to serve a second term before joining the growing FKNE alumni network.

“The selection of the 2026 cohort was incredibly difficult, as a testament to the brilliance, creativity and talent of the young European neuroscience community,” said Lisa Genzel, Chair of the 2026 Selection Committee. “We are proud to announce the candidates that have been selected for the network, who excelled in scientific brilliance and leadership.”

Beyond recognising scientific excellence, the FENS-Kavli Network aims to foster the next generation of leaders in European neuroscience. Members meet regularly to exchange ideas across disciplines and contribute to initiatives that strengthen the research ecosystem, including policy recommendations, public engagement activities and actions promoting mentorship, diversity and better research environments.

“The FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence brings together exceptional early-career neuroscientists from across Europe at a time when many of the field’s most important questions require collaboration across disciplines and perspectives,” said Stephanie Albin, Senior Program Officer in Neuroscience at The Kavli Foundation. FENS President Ole Kiehn highlighted the importance of the network in advancing discovery-driven brain research while bringing together diverse perspectives from across Europe. He noted that the new scholars will contribute to the continued growth of the network and to strengthening the European neuroscience community.