The International Conference on Cognitive Science will be held for the first time in Nizhny Novgorod.

      On August 11, 2026, at 13:22, the announcement states that from August 24 to 28, 2026, the XI International Conference on Cognitive Science will take place in Nizhny Novgorod. The organizers are the Nizhny Novgorod University "Neimark" and the Interdisciplinary Association of Cognitive Studies (IACS).

      The international conference addresses the goals of the state initiative of the Decade of Science and Technology, set by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, for the years 2022-2031. The conference will serve as a platform for discussions among scientists from around the world about the nature of human cognition—from fundamental mechanisms of perception and thinking to contemporary challenges in the fields of artificial intelligence and communication. Participants will also touch on socially significant topics: the development of cognitive abilities in children and the prevention of diseases affecting mental activity in the elderly.

      "The holding of such a high-level event in Nizhny Novgorod is a recognition of the scientific potential of the entire region. The choice of our region as the venue is not accidental. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast is among the top five regions in Russia in terms of innovative development and funding for scientific research. Among the flagship projects are a world-class scientific center, the IT campus 'Neimark,' and the Quantum Valley Innovation and Technology Center. We look forward to welcoming leading scientists to our land for discussions on interdisciplinary research of the human mind," noted the Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Gleb Nikitin.

      The conference program will feature reports and overview lectures by leading specialists in interdisciplinary cognitive research. Among them is Professor Tatyana Chernigovskaya, a recognized expert in psycholinguistics and neuroscience, and the director of the Institute of Cognitive Studies at St. Petersburg State University. She will give a lecture on the topic: "Who is the smartest in the world, or what should we do now?"

      Also, within the framework of the conference, the Natalia Bekhtereva Prize will be awarded. It was established by the eponymous foundation and is awarded for the second consecutive year to scientists whose research opens new perspectives for medicine and is related to the application of advanced neurotechnologies.

      "The significance of the conference is enhanced by the awarding of the Natalia Bekhtereva Prize—a scientist who was largely at the origins of domestic neuroscience. This award helps highlight projects that not only expand the boundaries of knowledge but also become the basis for practical solutions in medicine and high technologies. It is important for us that Nizhny Novgorod becomes a place where science receives recognition and finds a path to real application," emphasized the Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Yegor Polyakov.

      The conference will gather leading scientists from around the world. The scientific composition of the conference will include Professor Alan Chenkie, a leading researcher in cognitive processes from the Free University of Amsterdam; Professor Claudio Franceschi, an expert in neuroscience from the University of Bologna; Professor Yuri Shtyrov, a specialist in cognitive neurophysiology from Aarhus University; Academician of the Russian Academy of Education Marianna Bezrukikh, a leading Russian researcher in age physiology; and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Konstantin Anokhin, the director of the Institute for Advanced Brain Research at Moscow State University. A total of more than 500 participants from leading scientific centers around the world are expected, including Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, Higher School of Economics, the University of Bologna, the University of Alabama, and other prestigious institutions.

      "For young scientists, participation in a conference of this level is not just an opportunity to present their work but also a chance to enter the professional community, find a scientific supervisor or partner for a joint project. We pay great attention to creating conditions for a scientific career: we support publications, internships, participation in conferences, and help build horizontal connections within the scientific community. Such events become important growth points for the new generation of researchers," said the Deputy Chair of the Government of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Ekaterina Solntseva.

      The scientific program will cover key areas: cognition, intelligence, thinking, language, brain mechanisms of mental activity, and complex forms of behavior.

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