A high-stakes competition where the next generation of neuroscientists showcases their talent, earns recognition, and deepens their understanding of the brain.
Overview
Brain Blitz is a high school neuroscience competition designed to nurture student skills in neuroscience — granting participants an opportunity to showcase their talents and enrich their knowledge across key domains of the field.
Who can join
Brain Blitz is open and welcoming to students from every country — built on the belief that talent should have no borders or price tags.
Students enrolled in grades 9–12 (or their equivalent) in the 2024–2025 academic year are eligible to participate.
Students on a gap year from the 2024–2025 academic year are also fully eligible to register and compete.
Students from around the world are welcome — there are no restrictions regarding nationality or country of residence.
There are absolutely no fees associated with joining BrainBlitz. The competition is and always will be completely free.
Why compete
Brain Blitz offers far more than a score on a leaderboard. Here's what participants walk away with.
Brain Blitz gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills and excel in a community of talented contestants drawn from around the globe.
All first-round participants receive a certificate of participation. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to top finalists.
IYNA October Chapter offers a dedicated prep program — giving participants access to inclusive study materials and expert guidance before competition day.
Structure
Two rounds separate the curious from the champions. Both test depth, speed, and composure under pressure.
An individual test covering all six core neuroscience domains — 45 questions to be answered within 60 minutes. Questions are weighted by difficulty, so every point counts.
The top 16 qualifiers compete in head-to-head buzzer matches. Press first to claim +10 pts for a correct answer or risk −5 pts for a wrong one. The opponent then gets 10 seconds to answer for +5 pts.
Schedule
Key dates from registration to the winners' announcement. Follow our socials to be the first to know when registration opens.
Stage 01
Sign-ups go live. All eligible students worldwide can register — it's free and takes only a few minutes.
Stage 02
Final deadline to register. Latecomers will not be able to enter — secure your spot as early as possible.
Stage 03
Complete the 45-question online exam within 60 minutes, from anywhere in the world.
Stage 04
The top 16 qualifiers compete live in head-to-head buzzer matches. The pressure is real.
Stage 05
Gold, silver, and bronze medalists are revealed. Participation certificates are distributed to all first-round contestants.
Syllabus
Brain Blitz tests knowledge across six fundamental neuroscience domains. Master all six to give yourself the best chance at the top.
Want the full list of topics and subtopics? Download the official competition syllabus.
Instructions
All participants must comply with the following requirements. Read carefully before the competition begins.
Maintain a stable internet connection throughout the exam to prevent any disruptions or technical issues.
Prepare and test your device setup at least 30 minutes before the competition is scheduled to begin.
Keep only the competition tab open in your browser. Switching to other tabs during the exam is not permitted.
You will be monitored via camera during the exam. Only you may be visible in the camera frame at all times.
Be part of the competition. Follow our channels so you don't miss the moment registration goes live.
