PI: Buelow, Hannes E. Project Summary The "CeNeuro2024 C. elegans Topic Meeting: Neuronal Development, Aging, Synaptic Function, and Behavior" serves as a unique platform for researchers that use C. elegans to address fundamental questions in neuroscience and neural diseases. C. elegans research has provided critical insights into fundamental and highly conserved aspects of biology, including neurotransmission, sensory processing, circuit dynamics and disease. Set to occur biennially at the University of Madison, Wisconsin, this event stands as a cornerstone in the worm neuroscience community, attracting established leaders, emerging faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students from across the globe. Significantly, this conference offers a distinctive arena to (1) Present leading-edge, unpublished breakthroughs in worm neuroscience; (2) Facilitate verbal and poster presentations for postdoctoral and graduate scholars, with a special emphasis on women and underrepresented groups; (3) enable mentorship prospects for new investigators, particularly women and individuals of underrepresented backgrounds. Three pivotal themes shape the conference's focus: Addressing Diversity: The event acknowledges the prevalent scarcity of diversity, particularly gender and underrepresented groups, within the academic and C. elegans domains. Travel funding will be channeled to promote the engagement of underrepresented scholars, featuring them as speakers or session chairs, and fostering diversity and inclusion dialogues with a focus on trainees and junior faculty. Inclusivity for LMICs: The conference will extend financial support to exceptional trainees and junior faculty from low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). This initiative seeks to amplify global participation, diversifying the research realm and nurturing novel cross-cultural collaborations. Bridging Research Spheres: To bridge the aging and neuroscience research disciplines, the "CeNeuro2024" conference will synergize the C. elegans Aging & Metabolism and Neuroscience meetings. Participants of the former will receive stipends, enabling their attendance at a collaborative session on the inaugural day of the neurobiology meeting, spotlighting aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Beyond professional ties, joint activities will encourage personal interactions, fostering a holistic integration of aging and neuroscience research. In conclusion, funding for this conference endeavors to catalyze gender diversity and involve underrepresented groups, thereby enriching the research community. It also seeks to embrace trainees and faculty from LMICs to enhance international collaboration. Lastly, the conference strives to seamlessly merge the realms of aging and neuroscience research for comprehensive advancements. This initiative holds potential to redefine the contours of knowledge and propel collective efforts towards innovative scientific achievements.