International Brain Bee (IBB)
Grant Information
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 2025 World Championship with an educational and cultural experience at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum in Barcelona, Spain. Through one-on-one mentoring with scientists and professionals, roundtable discussions, and hands-on activities exploring the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience and its connections with 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 2026 Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. The 2026 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.
To further expand opportunities and broaden accessibility, the IBB will collaborate with the International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) to launch the IYNA Global Virtual Brain Bee Chapter in 2026 to enable students from countries without national Brain Bees to participate in the program.
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.