FAQ

The International Brain Bee (IBB) is a global neuroscience competition for high school students. The aim of the Brain Bee is to motivate students to learn more about the brain and to inspire them to pursue careers in neuroscience or medicine.

There are currently over 50 participating countries or regions.  The structure may vary from country to country, but many include local Brain Bee competitions. The winner of each Local Brain Bee competition advances to their national competition, and the winner of each National Brain Bee competition is eligible to participate in the IBB World Championship.

The competition involves questions related to various topics in neuroscience, including brain anatomy, neural pathways, neurological disorders, and neuroscience research.

The IBB World Championship is the highest level of the Brain Bee competition.  To participate in the IBB World Championship, you will need to qualify through a National Brain Bee. This may involve first participating in a Local Brain Bee competition.

You can find the list of participating countries on our website, including contact information and website. Check the National Brain Bee Chapter website for information about the competition details in your country. If there is a Local Brain Bee chapter in your area, you can contact them directly to inquire about participation.

Once you have registered for the competition, you will need to prepare for the written and oral exams. Most Brain Bees provide study materials, including textbooks, articles, and online resources, to help students prepare for the competition.

If you are interested in participating in a Brain Bee, it is important to start preparing well in advance and to stay motivated and committed to your studies. The competition can be a challenging but rewarding experience, providing you with an opportunity to learn more about neuroscience and to meet other students who share your passion for the brain.

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Brain Bees are typically open to students who are between the ages of 13 and 19. To be eligible for participation in the World Championship, National Champions may not be older than 19. You may need to meet certain eligibility requirements, such as being enrolled in a high school or having a certain level of knowledge in neuroscience. Please check with your respective Local and/or National Brain Bee regarding their official participation rules.

You can find the closest Brain Bee near you on our website. Once you have identified the country or region that you are located in, you can contact the Local Brain Bee chapter for more information on how to participate.

Alternatively, you can search for Local Brain Bee competitions using online search engines or social media platforms. You can also check with your school’s science department or science club, as they may have information on Local Brain Bee competitions. It’s important to note that not all countries or regions may have a Local Brain Bee chapter, so you may need to travel to participate in a competition.

If you are a student living in a country that does not have a National Brain Bee, you can participate in the International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) Virtual Brain Bee. For more information and registration details, contact virtual.brainbee@youthneuro.org.  The winner of the IYNA Virtual Brain Bee will qualify for the IBB World Championship.

The International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) Virtual Brain Bee allows students in countries that do not currently have a National Brain Bee to participate in the International Brain Bee.  The winner of the IYNA Virtual Brain Bee will qualify for the IBB World Championship.  For more information on the IYNA Virtual Brain Bee and registration details, please contact: virtual.brainbee@youthneuro.org  

Students are not allowed to participate in more than one Local Brain Bee and/or one National Brain Bee in any given year. 

Students are also not allowed to participate in both – a National Brain Bee competition and the IYNA Virtual Brain Bee. Students who reside in countries with an active National Brain Bee are not eligible to compete in the IYNA Virtual Brain Bee. 

Students who register for more than one competition in any given year will be disqualified and may be disqualified from any future competitions.

Students are eligible to participate in the Brain Bee in their country of residence.  Students are not allowed to participate in more than one National Brain Bee in any given year, including the International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) Virtual Brain Bee. If students register for more than one National Brain Bee competition in the same year or a national competition and the IYNA Virtual Brain Bee, they will be disqualified.

Starting a National Brain Bee in a non-participating country can be a great way to bring awareness about neuroscience and brain research to your community and provide an opportunity for students to engage in learning about the brain.

1. Check the International Brain Bee website to ensure that there is no existing National Brain Bee in your country. If there is, you may want to contact them or your closest local chapter to see if you can get involved.
2. To start a National Brain Bee in your country, find a group of dedicated individuals who share your passion for neuroscience and are interested in helping you. This can include students, teachers, researchers, and other members of the community who are interested in supporting brain research and education.
3. A guide and checklist on how to start a Brain Bee can be downloaded from the IBB website.
4. Contact IBB Academic Director Ionut Dumitru, PhD to inquire about the process for starting a new National Brain Bee. He will provide you with guidance and support on how to organize and run a successful competition.
5. Identify potential sponsors and partners who can provide financial and logistical support for the competition. This can include local universities, research institutions, and companies that have an interest in supporting science education.
6. Develop a plan for organizing the competition, including identifying a venue, recruiting participants, and arranging for judges and volunteers.

Starting a National Brain Bee can be a challenging but rewarding experience, providing you with an opportunity to make a difference in your community and help promote neuroscience education and research.

If you are a student wishing to participate in the Brain Bee, you cannot be involved in the organization of the competition. However, you can encourage local teachers and researchers to start a Brain Bee.

If you are too old to participate in the International Brain Bee World Championship, there are still many ways to get involved in the organization and support its mission to promote neuroscience education and research.

Here are some ideas:

• Volunteer: The International Brain Bee relies on the help of volunteers to organize and run its competitions. You can reach out to your Local Brain Bee chapters to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

• Mentor: You can also get involved by mentoring younger students who are interested in neuroscience and brain research. You can offer to help them prepare for the Brain Bee or provide guidance and support as they explore the field of neuroscience.

• Spread the word: Help promote the Brain Bee and its mission by sharing information about the organization and its events on social media or by hosting information sessions at your school or community center.

• Attend events: Attend Local Brain Bee events or other neuroscience-related events in your area to stay connected with the community and learn more about the latest developments in the field.

• Donate: Consider making a donation to support its mission and help fund future competitions and educational initiatives.

By getting involved in the Brain Bee community, you can continue to promote neuroscience education and research and make a positive impact on the lives of young students who are interested in this field.

Please note that all National Brain Bees are organized independently from the IBB. 

Local and National Brain Bees are all run by volunteers who have full-time jobs and other responsibilities. These volunteers dedicate their time and effort to organizing and coordinating outreach events like the Brain Bee on top of their regular commitments.  They may therefore not be able to respond to all inquiries immediately or not regularly respond outside of registration periods for their annual competitions.

Please be patient and keep checking their website for updates on future competitions.