Early Career Award

The SNL Early Career Award (ECA) was established to honor researchers whose high quality of scientific work and academic citizenship exemplify the ideals of the Society. One ECA is awarded each year at the annual meeting. The recipient is selected from among nominations put forward by the membership.

Award Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant must conduct research into the neurobiology of language and have no more than 10 years of active research/teaching experience following completion of their PhD (not counting career interruptions).  If there was no break in active research/teaching, for the upcoming 2026 award, the degree must have been awarded in or after 2016.

Nominations

Nominations must be made by a current SNL member. Self-nominations are welcome. Nominations are open from April 2, 2026 through May 4, 2026.

Nominations are reviewed by an Award Committee consisting of SNL members. Members of the Award Committee and of the current SNL Board cannot serve as nominators. Nominees from previous years may be re-nominated, assuming the nominee is still eligible.

Nominations should include:

• A CV
• A short (500 word) description of the nominee’s contributions to the neurobiology of language
• Two letters of recommendation (each no more than 2 pages long)

The Award Committee announces the recipient approximately one month following the nomination deadline. The award is presented at the SNL Annual Meeting. The winner receives a prize of $1,000 and is invited to deliver a presentation of their work at the Annual Meeting

Award Schedule

Nominations Open: April 2, 2026
Nominations Close: May 4, 2026
Recipient Announced: June 19, 2026