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Nomination Deadline: October 31 Annually

Dr. Martha Bridge Denckla pioneered the field of Developmental Cognitive Neurology. A master clinician and beloved mentor to physicians, neuropsychologists, and teachers, her research has revolutionized our understanding of autism, learning disabilities and ADHD, as well as the role of the motor system in disorders of cognitive development. The Child Neurology Society announces a prestigious new award in Dr. Denckla’s name to honor a physician-scientist (e.g., child neurologist, neurodevelopmental disabilities physician, or related pediatric sub-specialist) of national and/or international status. Nominees should be conducting ongoing human-subjects research with relevance to children with neurological disorders, especially neurodevelopmental disabilities, using cognitive/behavioral/psychological, cognitive neuroscientific, epidemiological, clinical, and/or related approaches. Eligibility is not limited to CNS members.

Nominations for the 2026 Martha Bridge Denckla Award should be submitted on or before October 31, 2025. The awardee will give a 25-minute presentation at the 55th CNS Annual Meeting to be held October 14-17, 2026, in Montreal, QC, following a 5-minute introduction by a colleague of their choosing. The awardee will receive an honorarium, waived meeting registration, and travel/hotel reimbursement.

The 2025 CNS Award will be presented at the 54th Annual Meeting, October 8-11, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Award recipients will be informed of the committee’s decision by January 15, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee is a physician-scientist who is a child neurologist or NDD specialist (or related sub-specialist) of national and/or international status who is performing leading research in cognitive neuroscience or related investigation in human subjects with relevance to children with neurological disorders, especially neurodevelopmental disabilities, either genetic or acquired.

Procedure

  1. Submit an electronic nomination online via this form.
    a. Enter the nominee’s contact information and why they are deserving of this award.
    b. If you would like to submit nominations for multiple awards, please complete the submission form for each award, returning to the award submission link for each award nomination.
    c.  No letters of recommendation or CVs are required in order to submit a nomination.
  2. Additional documents may be requested from the nominee by the awards committee at a later date.
  3. Nominations must be completed through this form by October 31 each year. 
  4. The 2026 awardee will be informed of the Award Committee’s decision by January 15, 2026.