ESRS Newsletter May 2026

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am writing to you from Tbilisi, Georgia, where the ESRS Board is currently meeting with the Assembly of National Sleep Societies (ANSS) Executive Committee and the National Sleep Societies for our annual ANSS Presidents Meeting. The exchange of experiences between societies navigating very different healthcare systems and resource environments has been insightful, and these conversations will inform how we approach collaborative initiatives in the coming year. What strikes me most is how challenges that feel unique to one country often resonate across borders and how much we learn when we create space to compare notes and share our varied experiences.

I am particularly excited to share that this month marks the launch of the ESRS-CSRS Research Exchange Programme, our first collaboration of this kind with the Chinese Sleep Research Society (CSRS). We are inviting ten early-career ESRS members to attend one of China’s foremost annual conferences in sleep medicine and sleep research, and to present their work within an international scientific setting. Applications are open until 29 May. Don’t miss this opportunity! More information is available here.

On 20 May at 14:00 CEST, we will host a Town Hall on the upcoming ESRS board and committee elections – an open session where you can ask questions about the election process and how to get involved. Participation is open to all but requires registration. We recommend submitting your questions in advance if you have any, so we can prepare accordingly.

Registration for Sleep Europe 2026 is in full swing, and time is moving quickly! Secure your place and take advantage of the early-bird rate, available until 28 July. The Preliminary Scientific Programme is continuously being updated with new sessions and speakers, so I encourage you to keep an eye on what is coming. There will be much to look forward to in Maastricht!

Supporting the attendance of our community is important to us, and we want to make your journey to Maastricht as accessible as possible. To that end, we have two initiatives:

• Sustainable Travel Grants – provide financial support for environmentally conscious travel and accommodation choices – such as travelling by train or sharing accommodation- making the congress more accessible whilst honouring our commitment to sustainable practices. Learn more and apply here.
• If you’re looking to share accommodation for Sleep Europe 2026, you can submit your details and browse other participants who are also seeking flatmates via our Room Share Board. Room-sharing is not only a practical, cost-effective choice, but also a wonderful way to build connections before the congress even begins, and it may qualify you for our Sustainable Travel Grant.

On 18 June, the ESRS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) invites you to join the second edition of the ESRS EDIC Book Club, featuring The Gendered Brain by Gina Rippon. This discussion will explore how gender stereotypes shape brain development and what this means for sleep research. I am particularly interested in this conversation, and I genuinely hope many of you will join us. More information and registration are available here.