France Brain Bee is the annual French national round of the International Brain Bee, organized by the Paris Brain Institute since 2019. It introduces secondary-school students to neuroscience and brain disorders through an English-language competition in Paris.
Participants complete written neuroscience questions, patient-diagnosis cases, and neuroanatomy and histology identification. The top five advance to a live 15-question final, and the winner qualifies to represent France at the IBB World Championship.
Benefits & funding
- Participants meet researchers and other professionals at the Paris Brain Institute.
- Participants from outside the Paris region may request support covering part of their travel costs; the organizer does not publish an amount or detailed conditions.
- The French winner qualifies for the IBB World Championship and receives dedicated preparation that includes a one-week placement at the Paris Brain Institute.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be middle- or high-school students enrolled at an educational institution located in French territory.
- Nationality is unrestricted; international students attending an eligible school in France may apply.
- Applicants must be no older than 19 on the competition date.
- Each school may support no more than five applicants, and every student must apply individually.
- The competition is conducted in English and takes place in person at the Paris Brain Institute.
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
≤ 19 yrs
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Application process
- 1Complete the individual online application during the annual 1 November–31 December window.
- 2Provide personal and contact details, a teacher reference, and a motivation letter explaining interest in the Olympiad.
- 3Ask the teacher to confirm support when contacted, or ensure the school includes the applicant on its emailed list of up to five supported students.
- 4If selected, bring signed parental authorization and image-consent forms on paper on the competition day.
Program timeline
Applications opened for the 2026 competition.
Nov 1, 2025
Application deadline for the 2026 competition.
Dec 31, 2025
Application decisions issued by this date.
Jan 31, 2026
France Brain Bee 2026 took place in Paris.
Mar 21, 2026
The next annual application window opens.
Nov 1, 2026