Dutch Brain Olympiad — Course / Training

The Dutch Brain Olympiad is an annual neuroscience knowledge competition for secondary school students, organized by Stichting Hersenolympiade Nederland as the national route into the International Brain Bee. Contestants complete multiple-choice, brain-anatomy, patient-diagnosis, and live question-and-answer rounds.

The next competition is planned in person for March 2027, but its exact date and venue have not been announced. Registration is not yet open; the latest published cycle took place as a one-day event in 2026.

Benefits & funding

Participation cost €5 in the latest published registration conditions; no cash award is stated.
Finalists receive access to the Dutch Neuroscience Conference and spend a day there with the Olympiad team.
The national winner may represent the Netherlands at the International Brain Bee.

Eligibility

Open to secondary school students across all exam profiles.
Students aged 16 or older may participate; those under 16 need permission from a parent or legal guardian.
Nature & Technology with Biology and Nature & Health with Physics are recommended profiles, not requirements.
A student may participate in no more than two editions.
The published conditions state no nationality or residence restriction.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

Education required
High School

Appears to have an age limit “aged 16”
confirm in the requirements

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Application process

1
Check the official homepage for the opening of 2027 registration; it is currently closed.
2
When the registration page opens, submit the requested student and school details and obtain parental or guardian permission if under 16.
3
Follow the emailed payment instructions for the €5 participation fee stated for the latest cycle.

Program timeline

Application deadline for the latest completed cycle.
1 March 2026
Latest national preliminary and final rounds.
21 March 2026
Autumn 2026
Organizers expect 2027 registration to open; no exact opening date is published.
Next in-person competition; exact date and venue are not yet announced.
March 2027