Neuroscience Competitions for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 16 neuroscience competitions for high school students. Of these, 10 are free to participate in and 7 offer virtual participation. Examples include AAN Neuroscience Research Prize, American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize, and APA TOPSS Competition (Psychology/Neuro).
- 16
- listed
- 10
- free
- 7
- virtual
- 16
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are neuroscience competitions for high school students?
- Neuroscience Competitions for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students interested in neuroscience. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- Are any of these competitions free?
- Yes — 10 of the 16 competitions listed here are free to participate in.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 7 of the 16 competitions listed here offer virtual or online participation.
- Are neuroscience competitions good for a college application?
- Yes — neuroscience competitions are a common way for high schoolers to show sustained interest and initiative in neuroscience on college applications.
Related Categories
16 activities found·Browse by category
AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
Submit a research paper on a neuroscience topic. Winners present at the American Academy of Neurology conference.
American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize
National competition co-sponsored with the Child Neurology Society for original high school research on the brain and nervous system, judged on relevance, creativity, and data interpretation.
APA TOPSS Competition (Psychology/Neuro)
Essay competition for high school students. Topics often focus on biopsychology or substance abuse mechanisms.
Bay Area Brain Bee
The local chapter of the International Brain Bee (neuroscience trivia). Usually held at CSU East Bay. Winner goes to Nationals.
Brain Awareness Video Contest (Society for Neuroscience)
Annual contest for short educational neuroscience videos, with a dedicated Best High School Submission award; winners featured on BrainFacts.org.
BU Brain Bee (Boston University)
Regional Brain Bee run by Boston University's Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience.
Houston Brain Bee (Rice Neuroscience Society)
Regional Brain Bee chapter run by Rice University's Neuroscience Society, with winners advancing toward the national Brain Bee.
International / USA Brain Bee
Live Q&A neuroscience competition for high schoolers testing knowledge of the brain, neuroanatomy, histology, MRI, and patient-diagnosis skills, running through local, regional, national, and international levels.
International Brain Bee
A global neuroscience quiz competition open to teens ages 13-19 that tests knowledge of brain anatomy, imaging, and neurological disorders through local, national, and international rounds, run by a consortium including the Society for Neuroscience and APA.
International Neuroscience Olympiad (INO)
Global brain-science competition using exams, events, and collaborative learning to make neuroscience accessible to students worldwide.
International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) Ideaathon
Virtual competition where teams propose a solution to a neurological problem (e.g., "Design a better treatment for epilepsy").
JSHS (Junior Science & Humanities Symposium) - NorCal
Research presentation competition. You must submit an original neuroscience research paper to compete.
Long Island Brain Bee (Zucker School of Medicine)
Regional Brain Bee for Long Island high schoolers hosted by the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
Regional Brain Bee at Rutgers (Newark)
Regional Brain Bee hosted by Rutgers Brain Health Institute in Newark, NJ.
Simply Neuroscience Synaptic Hacks
Annual hackathon focused on neurotechnology and computational neuroscience.
The Art of Neuroscience
Create an artistic representation of the brain (video, image, sculpture).
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.