International Brain Bee

This grant continues support for the International Brain Bee’s (IBB) virtual World Championship and in-person NextGen champion’s event, fostering a diverse new generation and global network of budding neuroscientists who understand the real-world applications and ethical considerations of neuroscience and the importance of conducting science to improve people’s lives.   

For 26 years, the IBB has instilled a lasting passion for neuroscience among high school students worldwide through an informal education initiative. The IBB is much more than an academic competition; it includes an extensive program of social, cultural, and educational activities that expose participants to different disciplines, approaches, and careers in neuroscience.  

The NextGen event awards the top five competitors from the 2024 World Championship with an educational and cultural experience at the Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference in Toronto, Canada. Through one-on-one mentoring with scientists and professionals, roundtable discussions, and hands-on activities exploring the intersections of various disciplines with the connections between neuroscience and society, competitors receive guidance on their academic and career pathways, reinforcing IBB NextGen’s role in positioning the IBB program as a catalyst for workforce development in neuroscience. 

The World Championship is held virtually in conjunction with the 2025 Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. The 2025 World Championship continues to provide a social and educational program that is engaging, interactive, and encourages open dialogue and collaboration among participants. Events include a neuroethics dialectic, a career panel featuring a diversity of neuroscience careers, a neuroscience and society session, team-building activities, and plenary lectures. A new community-building platform called Bee Connected enables ongoing communication and engagement among participants and IBB staff. 

This grant supports the Dana Education objective to engage K-12 students in learning about neuroscience through structured education opportunities (formal and non-formal) that integrate relevant, real-world topics and issues to capture their interest and inspire continued study.