IYNA Virtual Brain Bee 2026 — Course / Training

The International Youth Neuroscience Association runs this online neuroscience competition for secondary-school students who live in countries without an active or planned national Brain Bee. It gives those students a route into the International Brain Bee World Championship.

Two online rounds assess neuroanatomy, neurological conditions and related brain science through IBB-aligned materials. The first-place competitor represents the program at the IBB World Championship, while second and third place are alternates.

Benefits & funding

Participation and required IYNA membership are free.
Every participant receives a certificate of participation.
First place becomes the official IBB World Championship representative; second and third place serve as alternates if needed.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 13–19 years old and enrolled in secondary school or an equivalent program in grades 9–12 during the 2025–26 school year.
Applicants must reside in a country without an active or planned national Brain Bee for the 2026 cycle; eligibility depends on residence rather than nationality.
Applicants must not have participated in any local, national or international Brain Bee during the 2025–26 academic year.
The advancing winner must still be 19 or younger at the November 2026 IBB World Championship.

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
Age requirement
13–19 yrs

Check my eligibility — free

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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

1
Create a free IYNA member account.
2
Complete the Virtual Brain Bee registration form linked from the official program page.
3
Join the program Discord and monitor email for schedules and instructions.

Program timeline

Registration opened.
April 2026
Registration deadline.
Jul 4, 2026
Preliminary round in the page’s main timeline; the format and FAQ sections instead list Aug 8, 2026.
Aug 15, 2026
Finalists announced in the main timeline; the format and FAQ sections instead list this as the final round date.
Aug 22, 2026
Final round in the main timeline.
Aug 29, 2026
Final award ceremony in the main timeline.
Sep 5, 2026