The International Brain Bee is one of the most respected neuroscience competitions for high school students worldwide. Designed to inspire future neuroscientists, physicians, and researchers, the contest challenges students through a multi-tiered pathway to master neuroscience concepts, apply clinical reasoning, and analyze neurological disorders.
A study shows that students with early science career expectations are up to 3.4 times more likely to succeed in STEM fields. For students pursuing neuroscience, medicine, or biomedical research, the Brain Bee serves as a high-level academic credential.
This guide explains how the Brain Bee works, how students qualify and win, and how it strengthens your college applications.
- What Is the International Brain Bee?
- International Brain Bee Awards and Prizes
- How to Qualify for the International Brain Bee
- How to Get into the International Brain Bee
- How to Win the International Brain Bee
- International Brain Bee Previous Winners
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Is the International Brain Bee?
The International Brain Bee is a global neuroscience competition for high school students, founded in 1998 by Norbert Myslinski at the University of Maryland. Its goal is to help you deeply understand the brain and inspire you to pursue careers in neuroscience, medicine, psychology, or biomedical research.
You compete through a three-tier pathway, with each level becoming more advanced:
- Local Brain Bee. You start by competing in a regional Brain Bee, usually hosted by a university or research institution. At this level, you’re tested on foundational neuroscience topics such as brain anatomy, neural signaling, behavior, and neurological disorders.
- National Brain Bee. If you win your local competition, you move on to your country’s National Brain Bee. Here, the competition becomes more rigorous, often adding clinical-style questions, neuroanatomy identification, and applied reasoning.
- International Brain Bee World Championship. As a National Champion, you represent your country at the World Championship. You’ll face written exams, neuroanatomy and neurohistology challenges, patient diagnosis scenarios, and a live judging round with leading neuroscientists.
Each year, more than 25,000 students participate in Brain Bee competitions worldwide, with 40–50 countries represented at the international level, making it one of the most globally competitive academic contests for high school students.
The 2025 International Brain Bee World Championship was held virtually from November 7–12, 2025, alongside Society for Neuroscience’s annual meeting, Neuroscience 2025. Winners were announced during a live award ceremony and celebrated at Society for Neuroscience events in San Diego, California.
For the 2026 World Championship, the exact dates are yet to be set by national qualifiers. However, the 2026 IBB World Championship is expected to follow a similar November timeframe. Details are typically released earlier in the year through official Brain Bee channels.
International Brain Bee Awards and Prizes
As a Brain Bee participant, you can earn recognition at every stage of the competition, from your local chapter to the international level.
Local Brain Bee awards
At the local Brain Bee level, awards are determined by the host institution, often a university or research center. If you win locally, you typically receive first-place recognition along with qualification for your National Brain Bee, as well as certificates, medals, or trophies and academic recognition from a sponsoring neuroscience department.
Local competitions usually do not offer standardized cash prizes, but winning your local Brain Bee is required to advance and is a strong academic credential.
National Brain Bee awards
Each National Brain Bee is run independently, so cash prizes and award structures differ by country. In the United States, for example, national awards may include a $1,500 prize and the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the International Brain Bee for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place.
In other national chapters, you may receive different cash amounts, scholarships, research opportunities, travel support, or formal institutional recognition instead of—or in addition to—monetary awards.
International Brain Bee World Championship prizes
If you qualify for the International Brain Bee championship, you will compete for standardized global awards that recognize overall performance and excellence, including a $3,000 prize, personalized plaque, and medal for first place as World Champion, a $2,000 prize and medal for second place, and a $1,000 prize and medal for third place.
In addition, you may also be eligible to receive the following special awards:
- IBB Neuroanatomy & Neurohistology Award. Awarded to the top scorer in neuroanatomy and histology. It includes a $100 cash prize and a book featuring the work of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, a Nobel Laureate.
- Cajal Club Neural Progenitor Award. Awarded to the top performer in the Live Judging Session It includes a $500 cash prize and a certificate.
IBB NextGen
If you place among the top five finalists at the World Championship, you’ll be invited to IBB NextGen, an advanced academic and career development experience hosted at the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. This opportunity focuses on mentorship, research exposure, and long-term career development in neuroscience.
How to Qualify for the International Brain Bee
Qualifying for the International Brain Bee is a step-by-step process. You earn your place by advancing through the official Brain Bee pathway in your country.
Eligibility
To compete in the IBB, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a high school student, typically between ages 13 and 19 at the time of competition.
- You must win the National Brain Bee level in your country.
- You may compete in the IBB World Championship only once in your lifetime.
- Independent competitors are not allowed; you must qualify through an approved local and national Brain Bee
- You must follow all academic integrity and conduct rules set by your national Brain Bee and the IBB.
Eligibility rules can vary slightly by country, so it’s important to confirm details with your local or national coordinator.
Required documents
You do not apply directly to the IBB. Instead, documentation is handled through your local and national Brain Bee organizers. Requirements vary by country but typically include:
- Completed local and national registration forms
- Student eligibility verification (age, enrollment, and residency confirmation)
- Consent and participation agreements signed by students and guardians
- Acknowledgment of and compliance with national Brain Bee rules and policies
Your national coordinator submits or verifies these materials on your behalf once you qualify.
Contest fees
Fees depend on where you compete. Local and national Brain Bees may charge modest registration fees that vary by country and competition format, typically covering materials, meals, venue use, or administration.
For example, in the 2026 USA Brain Bee, once your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive a link to submit a $400 USD registration fee, which covers an event shirt and meals on competition day. Other countries may use different fee structures or provide alternative support.
The IBB World Championship does not have open registration and is not pay-to-enter. Many national organizers instead assist with travel, logistics, or funding for qualified students.
Registration deadlines
Each local and national Brain Bee establishes its own registration and competition timelines.
In the U.S., Local Brain Bees typically close registration between December and January. For example, the Princeton Regional Brain Bee closes registration on January 16 for the 2026 competition.
The winner of each local chapter advances to the USA National Brain Bee Championship, which is held on April 25, 2026 at the University of California, Irvine. Registration for the national championship usually opens in February for eligible winners.
Because timelines vary, your best strategy is to track deadlines early and stay in close contact with your local or national Brain Bee coordinator.
If you win your National Brain Bee, your eligibility for the IBB World Championship is automatically determined, and qualified students are contacted directly by IBB organizers with next steps and instructions.
How to Get into the International Brain Bee
To compete in the International Brain Bee World Championship, you must qualify through the official Brain Bee pathway in your country. Below are the steps you can take to qualify:
Step 1: Find a local Brain Bee.
Start by identifying a local Brain Bee chapter in your area, usually hosted by a university, medical school, or research institution. You can find chapters by checking the list of participating countries and contacting the local coordinator directly.
If there isn’t a local Brain Bee in your area, check your National Brain Bee website or contact your national coordinator to ask whether you can compete in a nearby region or country. Participation across regions is sometimes allowed but must be approved in advance.
If your country does not currently have an approved Brain Bee, it may also be possible to help initiate a local or national Brain Bee. This typically involves encouraging teachers, researchers, or university faculty to work with IBB organizers to establish a chapter.
Step 2: Register for the local competition.
Once you identify an eligible competition, complete the required registration forms and confirm that you meet age and enrollment requirements. Each local Brain Bee sets its own deadlines and rules, so register early and review all instructions carefully.
Step 3: Prepare using official materials.
After registering, prepare using official Brain Bee resources. Most local competitions are based on Brain Facts or Neuroscience: The Science of the Brain books. Many students also use review sessions, recorded lectures, chapter-based study plans, and practice questions to build accuracy and speed. Use practice questions and recorded lectures to strengthen recall and application.
Step 4: Compete in and win the Local Brain Bee.
To advance, you must place first at your local Brain Bee. This stage typically includes written exams, oral questions, or applied neuroscience challenges covering brain structure, function, and neurological disorders.
Step 5: Advance to the National Brain Bee.
If you win locally, you qualify for your National Brain Bee, where you compete against top students from across your country. National competitions are more demanding and often include advanced neuroanatomy, clinical reasoning, and patient diagnosis components.
Step 6: Win the National Brain Bee.
Winning the National Brain Bee earns you the opportunity to represent your country at the IBB World Championship. Eligibility is confirmed automatically, and IBB organizers contact you directly with timelines, instructions, and next steps.
How to Win the International Brain Bee
Once you win your National Brain Bee, the next step is competing at the International Brain Bee World Championship. The most successful students prepare with the exam format in mind, focusing on timed practice, applied understanding, and performance under pressure.
Below are some winning tips:
1. Master neuroanatomy early.
Neuroanatomy and neurohistology are consistently the most demanding sections of the Brain Bee. At the international level, you are not given a word bank, and questions can cover any structure listed in the official IBB study guide.
Winning students train by repeatedly identifying brain structures on whole and sectioned human brains, gray matter nuclei and white matter tracts, input and output fiber pathways, and structure–function relationships.
For example, you may be shown a brainstem section and asked to identify a structure and explain its functional relevance. Early mastery gives you an advantage because this section often separates finalists from the rest of the field.
2. Develop strong neurohistology skills.
In the neurohistology portion, you work with microscope slides or captured tissue images. You must identify tissues by name and describe their basic functions.
Successful competitors practice using histological images of the cortex, cerebellum, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, while learning to recognize cell layers, staining patterns, and overall structural organization, and to explain function clearly and concisely within strict time limits.
This section rewards precision and familiarity with real scientific visuals.
3. Practice clinical reasoning for patient diagnosis.
The patient diagnosis section tests applied neuroscience. You are shown videos of patients, provided a written medical history, and allowed to request results from only three diagnostic tests (such as MRI, EEG, or biomarkers).
Strong performers learn common presentations of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, practice matching symptoms to the affected brain regions, and strategically choose diagnostic tests rather than guessing.
For example, selecting an MRI over a CT—or an EEG over imaging—can determine whether your diagnosis is accurate.
4. Train under strict time limits.
Every section of the Brain Bee enforces defined time limits per question, including the written exam and live judging. Top students regularly train with timed Brain Bee practice questions, simulating real exam conditions. This preparation helps build faster recall of structures and pathways, confidence under pressure, and the ability to move on quickly when unsure.
5. Prepare strategically for live judging.
The Live Judging Session is a high-stakes elimination round. You have 30–90 seconds to write and submit each answer, with one incorrect response earning a strike and two strikes resulting in elimination.
Answers must be one word or a short phrase. Successful competitors practice writing exact responses quickly and staying composed across multiple rounds, even after difficult questions.
6. Use Official Brain Bee preparation resources.
The International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) hosts the only official Brain Bee Bootcamp, in partnership with the IBB. This bootcamp is free and open to participants at the local, regional, and national levels.
Using official resources matters. The Brain Bee does not endorse for-profit camps or tutoring programs, and any organization charging high fees under the Brain Bee name is not authorized.
7. Follow rules and maintain integrity.
Finally, winning requires strict professionalism. The Brain Bee has zero tolerance for cheating. Mobile phones, calculators, electronics, or unauthorized materials result in immediate disqualification. Translation dictionaries are allowed only under strict conditions and are checked before exams.
International Brain Bee Previous Winners
Each year, the IBB World Championship recognizes outstanding students for both overall performance and subject-specific excellence. Here are the 2025 winners and finalists:
- World Champion. Claire Zhou (United States, age 17)
- Second Place. Emma Rees (Canada, age 15)
- Third Place. Tiffany Yi (Australia, age 17)
In addition to overall placement, special academic awards were presented:
- Neuroanatomy & Histology Award. Claire Zhou (United States)
- Cajal Club Neural Progenitor Award. Anastasiia Lysenko (Ukraine, age 15), awarded for top performance in the Live Judging Session
The top five finalists—Claire Zhou, Emma Rees, Tiffany Yi, Anastasiia Lysenko, and Mahsa Alizadeh (Iran, age 18)—were invited to participate in IBB NextGen hosted at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum in Barcelona in 2026.
Recent International Brain Bee World Champions include Samuel Richards of Australia, who won in 2024, Chun Hei Tai of Hong Kong, who won in 2023, and co-champions Viktoriia Vydzhak of Ukraine and Rahil Patel of the United States, who won in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the International Brain Bee prestigious?
Yes. The International Brain Bee is one of the most selective neuroscience competitions for high school students worldwide. Only one national champion per country advances to the World Championship. Reaching the national level already signals academic excellence; placing internationally reflects global distinction.
2. Does the Brain Bee help with college admissions?
Yes—when positioned correctly. At AdmissionSight, we view the Brain Bee as a high-impact academic extracurricular because it demonstrates sustained intellectual focus, advanced neuroscience mastery, clinical reasoning, and performance under pressure. National or international results and special awards can strengthen applications to selective pre-med programs.
3. How competitive is the Brain Bee?
Extremely competitive at the top. Tens of thousands of students compete locally each year, but only national winners advance internationally, and final awards are earned by a very small percentage of participants. The World Championship features timed exams, applied diagnosis, and elimination-style live judging.
4. What should I study for the Brain Bee?
Most Brain Bee competitions are based on Brain Facts or Neuroscience: The Science of the Brain. Strong competitors use official review sessions, timed Brain Bee practice questions, neuroanatomy and histology visuals, and clinical case studies. Free resources like the IYNA Brain Bee Bootcamp are especially effective.
Takeaways
- The International Brain Bee is one of the most rigorous and respected academic competitions for high school students interested in neuroscience. Success rewards students with better clinical reasoning, discipline, and intellectual maturity.
- The contest assesses and rewards advanced knowledge in neuroanatomy, disorders, diagnostics, imaging, laboratory methods, and patient case analysis.
- Progressing through local, regional, national, and international rounds requires sustained preparation and mastery of complex neuroscience content under competitive conditions.
- If you want expert guidance on positioning the Brain Bee strategically within a competitive college application, our Academic and Extracurricular Profile Evaluation can help you frame your achievements and plan your extracurricular path with intent.
