The Abstract Center is now open!
ACCME Guidelines for Compliance
Please view before proceeding
When is the submission deadline?
Abstract submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2026 at 8:00pm Central Time.
How do I submit an abstract?
Go directly to the 2026 Academy Annual Meeting Abstract Center.
Academy Members: Log in to the abstract center using your CNS Account email and password. You can reset your password if you've forgotten it by clicking on “Forgot your password”. Please contact abstracts@cns.org if you need assistance with your login.
Non-members: If you have ever created a CNS non-member account, you may already have a username and password. Please try logging in with any possible email addresses that might have been used. If you forgot your password, use the Forgot Password link to reset it. If you are experiencing login issues with your CNS account or would like to verify your credentials, please contact abstracts@cns.org for assistance.
If you are not a member and have never used the abstract center before, you can create an account by clicking on the blue “Create an Account” button.
Can I submit more than one abstract?
No, only one abstract submission per Academy Member will be reviewed. Please submit only your best work. Multiple submissions are not permitted.
What are the presentation formats?
Abstracts presented as part of the Academy Annual Meeting Scientific Program are selected as Oral Presentation only.
How can I apply for the Academy Resident Award?
Once logged in to the Abstract Center, select the "General Information" tab. Choose the Academy Resident Award from the dropdown.
- Manuscripts for the Resident Award must be uploaded here by the May 1st deadline.
- No submissions for the Academy Resident Award will be accepted after the May 1st deadline.
How can I add authors?
Search the database for author names on the "Authors" tab. If the authors are not in the database, select “Add a New Author.” Once the abstract submission window closes on May 1, 2026, you will not be able to add or delete authors.
What information is required?
- Title
- Track
- Sub-track
- Author(s)
- Abstract (250-word maximum) separated into:
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Conclusion
Can I add images to my abstract?
The Academy does not allow images, figures, or graphs to be included within the abstract, but you may upload up to five supporting images, figures, and/or graphs for the abstract reviewers. Acceptable file formats are JPG, JPEG, and PNG. Images cannot be in PDF format. Supporting images will not be published and are for review purposes only.
Can I edit my abstract once it has been submitted?
Edits can be made until the Abstract Center submission deadline on May 1, 2026. Edits may include changing the title, adding or deleting authors, or changing the abstract body. Once the review process begins, no changes to the submissions are allowed. Typographical or spelling errors, improperly formatted titles, etc., will not be edited by anyone at the CNS. It is the responsibility of the submitter to review and verify all work submitted. After making changes to an abstract, remember to resubmit the abstract, even if previously submitted, to save the updated version.
All titles should be in “Title-case Format” with the first letter of each major word capitalized. Smaller conjunction or article words such as “in, of, on, a, for” should be in lower case.
Example: Current Surgeon Opinions Concerning the Indications for Surgery in Metopic Craniosynostosis
Who will review the abstracts?
All abstracts are blindly reviewed by a committee of qualified neurosurgeons.
When will I be notified of the results?
Notifications of the Abstract Selection Committee's decision will be emailed in June to the presenting authors of all abstracts, regardless of the outcome. Presenting authors of accepted abstracts are required to register for the Academy Annual Meeting.
ACCME Guidelines for Compliance
Your abstract and/or poster will be reviewed for compliance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.
Below are lists of guidelines to assist you in developing the highest quality educational content and materials. These guidelines also ensure compliance with the CNS’s CME Policies.
Before submitting to the 2026 Academy Annual Meeting Abstract Center, please review the following to ensure compliance.
You may be required to edit your submission if it is found to be noncompliant with these standards:
- ACCME and HIPAA Compliance - All individual identifiable health information regarding a client or patient must be sufficiently edited or modified to ensure HIPAA compliance.
- Standard 1: Ensure Content is Valid
- Presentations must give a balanced view of therapeutic options. All recommendations for patient care must be based on current science, evidence, and clinical reasoning.
- New and evolving topics must be clearly identified in the presentation slides.
- Standard 2: Prevent Commercial Bias and Marketing in Accredited Continuing Education
- Ineligible companies’ corporate or product logos
- Company, product, drug, or device brand/trade names (Use generic names)
- If brand/trade names are listed, there MUST be at least two (2) other names listed to avoid the perception of bias.
- If only one is listed, it must be proven the ONLY or the BEST product, device, or drug available.
- All logos or brand names visible in photos or videos must be completely covered.
- Product promotional material
- Faculty must not promote or sell products or services that serve their professional or financial interest during accredited education.
- Presentations must be free of commercial bias for or against any company, product, drug, or device.
- Educational materials (slides, abstracts, handouts, videos, and photos) must not include:
Disclosures
Disclosure information will only be required of those whose abstracts are selected for presentation at the 2026 Academy Annual Meeting. Disclosures will not be required at the time of abstract submission.
The CNS is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). We appreciate your help in partnering with us to follow accreditation guidelines and help us create high-quality education independent of industry influence. To participate as a person in control of the educational content of this accredited CE activity, we ask that all invited planners, faculty, and speakers disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible companies* that you have had over the past 24 months.
ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education require providers to mitigate relevant financial relationships to prevent commercial bias and disclose the presence or absence of all relevant financial relationships to learners prior to the activity.
According to Standard 3.2 of the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, “Owners and employees of ineligible companies must be excluded from controlling content or participating as planners or faculty in accredited education”.
In compliance with the ACCME standards, please note the following CNS policies.
- The Presenting Author of any accepted abstract /poster cannot be employed by an ACCME-defined Ineligible Company*.
- Employees of commercial interests are prohibited from having any role in the planning or implementation of CME activities related to the Ineligible Company’s business lines or products.
*An ineligible company is any company whose primary business is producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care products used by, on patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical service directly to patients to be commercial interests. A commercial interest is not eligible for ACCME accreditation or participation in Joint Providership.
Content Without Commercial Bias
The CNS must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. It is an ACCME requirement that audiences at educational programs for which continuing medical education hours are awarded be informed of a presenter’s academic and professional affiliations, and the existence of any significant financial interest or other relationship an author or co-author has with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) or services. Any such relationship must be disclosed.
In accordance with ACCME standards, please note that the presenter of any accepted abstract cannot be employed by a commercial interest. Employees of commercial interests are prohibited from having any role in the planning or implementation of CME activities related to the commercial interest’s business lines or products.