International Society of Motor Control

The International Society of Motor Control (ISMC) is an international scientific society dedicated to stimulating and fostering education and open debate among scientists from all nations on basic and applied research in the area of control of movements of biological systems. Founded in 2002 and domiciled in the state of Delaware, United States, the ISMC serves as a global forum for the motor control research community. The Society's core activities revolve around its biennial 'Progress in Motor Control' (PMC) meeting, which brings together researchers to discuss contentious and emerging issues in the field. The next edition, PMC XVI, is scheduled for 2027. In addition to the flagship PMC meeting, the ISMC organizes a Motor Control School; the 2026 edition is planned for July 17-21, 2026 in Intervales, SP, Brazil, with free registration. The ISMC publishes Motor Control, its official quarterly journal, which is included with membership. Members receive a complimentary subscription to the journal and a 50% discount on Open Access fees for articles accepted in Motor Control. Membership is open to both students and faculty, and benefits include discounts on PMC registration, early access to job postings, and eligibility for the Early Career Investigator Award presented at the biennial PMC meeting. The Society's highest honor is the Bernstein Prize, named after Nikolai Alexandrovich Bernstein, awarded every two years at the biennial meeting to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the development of motor control in Bernstein's spirit. Past recipients include Anatol G. Feldman (2005), Mark Latash (2007), Michael Turvey (2009), Scott Kelso (2011), Grigori Orlovskij (2013), Apostolos Georgopoulos (2015), Sten Grillner (2017), John Rothwell (2019), Tamar Flash (2021), and Emilio Bizzi (2023). The ISMC maintains an official website at i-s-m-c.org, where it publishes news, job postings, and information about its meetings and awards. The Society operates internationally, with its membership and activities spanning multiple countries and continents.

The International Society of Motor Control (ISMC) was founded in 2002 and is domiciled in the state of Delaware, United States. It was established as an international scientific society to stimulate and foster education and open debate among scientists from all nations on basic and applied research in the area of control of movements of biological systems. Since its founding, the ISMC has organized the biennial 'Progress in Motor Control' (PMC) meeting, which has become a key forum for the motor control research community. The Society also publishes the quarterly journal Motor Control, which serves as its official journal. In addition, the ISMC runs a Motor Control School; the 2026 edition is scheduled for July 17-21, 2026 in Intervales, SP, Brazil. The Society's highest award, the Bernstein Prize, is presented at each biennial meeting to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the development of motor control in the spirit of Nikolai Alexandrovich Bernstein. Recipients have included Anatol G. Feldman (2005), Mark Latash (2007), Michael Turvey (2009), Scott Kelso (2011), Grigori Orlovskij (2013), Apostolos Georgopoulos (2015), Sten Grillner (2017), John Rothwell (2019), Tamar Flash (2021), and Emilio Bizzi (2023). The ISMC continues to operate internationally, with its next major meeting, PMC XVI, planned for 2027. The Society maintains an active online presence through its website, i-s-m-c.org, where it shares news, job postings, and information about its activities and awards.

• 2026

  Motor Control School scheduled for July 17-21, 2026 in Intervales, SP, Brazil.

• 2023

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Emilio Bizzi.

• 2021

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Tamar Flash.

• 2019

  Bernstein Prize awarded to John Rothwell.

• 2017

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Sten Grillner.

• 2015

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Apostolos Georgopoulos.

• 2013

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Grigori Orlovskij.

• 2011

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Scott Kelso.

• 2009

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Michael Turvey.

• 2007

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Mark Latash.

• 2005

  Bernstein Prize awarded to Anatol G. Feldman.

• 2002

  International Society of Motor Control founded; domiciled in Delaware, United States.

• PMC XVI (Progress in Motor Control) meeting planned.

International scientific society for motor control research, education, and open debate.

• Motor Control (journal)

  Official quarterly journal of the ISMC.

• Progress in Motor Control (PMC) meeting

  Biennial meeting held every two years.

• Motor Control School

  Educational event; 2026 edition in Intervales, SP, Brazil.

• Bernstein Prize

  Highest award of the Society, presented at each biennial meeting.

1. 1The International Society of Motor Controli-s-m-c.org
2. 2International Society of Motor Control - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3International Society of Motor Control - Wikipedia (Finnish)fi.wikipedia.org