National Neurological Societies as congress co-hosts
A New Chapter for EAN Congress Hosting
EAN Congress 2028, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Traditionally, National Neurological Societies have had the opportunity to propose cities within their countries to host the EAN Congress, presenting their suggestions at the Assembly of Delegates.
The selected society would then nominate members for the Local Organising Committee, which played a key role in shaping the congress programme and logistics.
However, this model has proven to be limiting. Due to factors like infrastructure, accessibility, and venue capacity, only a handful of countries can meet the requirements for hosting. As a result, many regions are left without the chance to participate in this significant way, reducing both the visibility of the congress and the inclusivity of its reach across Europe.
Moreover, the trend of repeatedly selecting the same destinations risks narrowing the diversity of local involvement.
This practice stands in contrast to the EAN’s mission: to represent all of Europe and foster a truly pan-European community of neurology.
Successful cooperation between the Finish Neurological Society and societies from neighbouring countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – for the EAN Congress 2025 has also confirmed that involvement of different National Neurological Societies in creating the Congress programme can be beneficial. Based on the experience of the EAN Congress 2025, opening the Local Organising Committee to more societies may lead to a broader and truly pan-European collaboration for EAN Congresses in the future and provides all National Neurological Societies with the opportunity to showcase developments in their countries.
So now it is time to rethink how we host the EAN Congress—ensuring broader participation, greater equity, and a stronger connection to all corners of Europe.
Therefore, we are launching the call among National Neurological Societies that are Full Institutional members of the EAN to co-host the EAN Congress 2028, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
To ensure fairness across all National Neurological Societies the following ruleset shall apply:
- Only National Neurological Societies that are institutional members of the EAN can apply
- Up to 3 National Neurological Societies can submit a joint application together A National Neurological Society can only participate in one proposal per year
- A National Neurological Society that has been part of a Local Organising Committee (LOC) or Co-Organising Committee (COC) cannot apply again for 5 years after the congress in which they participated as member of the COC
- A National Neurological Society from a country hosting an EAN Congress is not eligible to apply again for 5 years after the congress has taken place in their country (e.g., EAN Congress 2028 in Rotterdam – the Netherlands Society of Neurology can apply again in 2032).
- If the EAN Congress is happening or planned on a reoccurring basis in the same country, the National Neurological Society of the host country shall not be eligible to become co-host of a EAN Congress.
- The Co-Organising Committee shall consist of 5 members (2 members coming from the national society of the country where the EAN Congress is hosted, and 3 members from the national society/societies selected as co-hosts)
- Increased visibility of the society/societies and neurological community from the country/countries to the EAN community
- Prominent space at the plenary sessions, Congress Opening and Highlights Session
- Prominent space at the EAN booth
- Visibility and promotion of the society/societies activities throughout the year
- Up to 10 free registrations per society/societies that was/were chosen as a Congress Co-Host
- Travel and accommodation costs for COC members will be covered by the EAN
- Present the application for final selection during the 2026 Assembly of Delegates
- Nominate a total of three representatives to the Co-Organising Committee
- Present on the society/societies at the Highlights session at the EAN Congress 2027
- Present on the society/societies during the EAN Congress 2028 Opening session (5 minutes)
- Organise a staffed area with prominent visibility at the EAN Congress 2028 advertising the society/country (mini booth)
- Record an interview or podcast at the EAN Congress 2028 about neurology in your country/countries
- Organise the History of Neurology session together with the local society at the EAN Congress 2028
- Promote the society/country via EAN social media during the EAN Congress 2028
- Work in close collaboration with the local society and the EAN Programme Committee
The application process is handled via online submission form:
An application form needs to be filled in completely, otherwise the application will not be accepted.
Applicants must provide a motivation letter (up to 750 words) listing reason the society/societies should be selected as co-hosts. In cases of joint applications, the letter shall also indicate the reasons for submitting a joint application.
- Deadline for applications: 1 December 2025.
- Expected decision: February/ March 2026.
A shortlist of 3 applications will be provided to the EAN Assembly of Delegates 4 weeks prior to the meeting.
Representatives of the shortlisted applications are invited to the Assembly of Delegates to present their candidacies.
The following aspects will be evaluated, based on the information provided in the submission form:
Engagement in activities/projects
- National Brain health activities/initiatives (co-)organised by the society/societies
- Advocacy activities for neurology
- Recent neurological developments in the society’s country
- Implementation project of WHO intersectoral Global Action Plan for epilepsy and other neurological disorders
Promotion of EAN in the NNS country
- Organisation of EAN educational activities:
- Regional Teaching Days
- Regional Teaching Courses
- Regional Teaching Sessions
- Participation of EAN Board members in the national congress (past or planned)
- Participation in the EAN NNS Forum
- Other activities that deserve attention
Selection criteria:
- Motivation letter (up to 5 points)
- Activities taking place in the country (1 point per society per activity)
- Activities related to the EAN (1 point per society per activity)
| 2025 Congress | Announcement of the project at the Assembly of Delegates |
| 2026 Congress | Assembly Selects the co-hosting society for the 2028 Congress |
| 2027 Congress | Promotion of the co-hosting society at the Meet booth |
| 2028 Congress | First congress organised with the co-hosting society |