If you're a high schooler and aspire to pursue a career in neuroscience, participating in competitions can be an excellent way to demonstrate your passion in medicine.

Not only can they expose you to a community of like-minded students, but winning prestigious neuroscience competitions can add a boost to your college applications.

In this post, we cover the top 10 neuroscience competitions for high school students in 2024, including overviews, key dates, eligibility, and more. https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=N3jywbAqfNU&t=1s Bonus online competition: Check out the International Research Olympiad (IRO)!

This is the premier competition for high school researchers.

Because research is such a crucial part of the pre-med path, demonstrating an aptitude in this skill will reflect positively in your overall college application to top pre-med schools.

1. International Brain Bee About: First held in 1998, the International Brain Bee is one of the world's premier neuroscience competitions.

The contest was established to shed light on brain disorders and foster interest in neuroscience in young students.

This competition consists of three tiers—participants first win their local Brain Bee, then advance to their country's National Brain Bee.

Each country then sends one representative to compete at the International Brain Bee.

The competition consists of a series of oral and written exams and tests over neuroscience topics.

Eligibility: High school students aged 13-19 Awards: Up to $3,000 in cash prizes Dates: Regional and national competitions usually occur in January to May.

The international competition is held in July.

Cost: Free

2. American Academy of Neurology Research Prize About: The American Academy of Neurology hosts the annual Neuroscience Research Prize to encourage high school students to explore the world of neuroscience through scientific inquiry.

Students submit independent, original research related to neuroscience, which will then be judged by physicians and scientists on the basis of relevance to neuroscience, creativity, interpretation of data, and research report quality.

Eligibility: Enrolled in grades 9-12 in the U.

S.

Awards: $1,000 prize and all-expenses paid opportunity to present work at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting Dates: Application period runs from June to November.

Cost: Free

3. International Psychology Olympiad (IPsyO) About: The IPsyO is an international pre-college competition that tests over behavior science and neuroscience.

The competition is team-based, and registration is not directly open to individuals.

Students must obtain an affiliated teacher sponsor to participate.

The examination will test over application of concepts, analysis research scenarios, and experimental design.

Eligibility: High school students worldwide Awards: Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to winners based on aggregate scores.

Dates: Registration closes in July.

Competition is held for two days in August.

Cost: Free

4. US Medicine & Disease Olympiad (USMDO) About: The US Medicine & Disease Olympiad is a new competition that consists of one online exam.

Similar to the USABO, the USMDO feeds directly into the international-level competition.

The USMDO exam focuses on three areas of medicine-related biology: cell biology and genetics, human physiology, and human disease.

Eligibility: All high school students in the U.

S.

Awards: Finalist recognition (top 20); top 8 scorers advance to the International Medicine & Disease Olympiad Dates: The annual USMDO takes place on around July.

Cost: $10 fee

5. USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) About: One of the oldest and most prestigious biology competitions in the United States, the USABO feeds directly into the International Biology Competition, or IBO.

The USABO consists of two main examinations, the Open Exam and the semifinal exam, that test over all topics within biology.

Some examples include cell biology, plant and animal anatomy and physiology, and biosystematics.

The USABO contains both theoretical and practical questions, and the exams are highly difficult.

Eligibility: U.

S. citizens and permanent residents in grades 9-12 Awards: Different distinctions at different testing levels.

For example, students who perform well at the Open Exam advance to the next level and are named semifinalists; others may receive honorable mention certificates.

The top 20 students with the highest scores on the USABO semifinal exam are invited to a training camp, from which 4 will be chosen to represent the U.

S. at the IBO.

Dates: Open Exam occurs in early February each year, and the semifinal exam in March.

Registration for the USABO opens in August and closes in November.

Cost: Free

6. HOSA Future Health Professionals Description: Recognized by the U.

S.

Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, HOSA is a highly regarded national competition that provides competitive events at various levels.

Students affiliated with HOSA chapters at their schools participate in one of six testing event categories: health science, health professions, emergency preparedness, leadership, recognition, and teamwork.

Eligibility: Member of HOSA (from local/school chapter), be in middle school, high school, or be enrolled at a postsecondary institution Awards: Various awards at different competition levels Dates: Competition season spans numerous months, but usually occurs during the academic year (November to the International Leadership Conference in June) Cost: Varies; club fees may apply

7. International Science and Engineering Fair—ISEF Description: Sponsored by Society for Science (SFS), Regeneron ISEF is the world's premier pre-college STEM competition.

Students from around the world qualify for ISEF by winning competitive affiliated science fairs in their region, often consisting of numerous rounds of selection.

To enter ISEF, students prepare a unique science-oriented project, enter one of 22 project categories, and practice their pitches to judges.

Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 or equivalent Awards: Scholarship awards of up to $50,000 Dates: Regional and state science fairs have varying deadlines for entering projects.

Make sure to check the SFS website to find your relevant affiliated fair.

Cost: Fees associated with participating in fairs vary; some fairs provide reimbursement for expenses

8. Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) About: Similar to ISEF, the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is a highly regarded and prestigious high school STEM competition.

Sponsored by the Department of Defense, the JSHS consists of regional and national symposia where students compete for scholarships and opportunities.

Participants advance through regional science fairs before competing at the national level.

Eligibility: U.

S. high school students in grades 9-12 Awards: Scholarships of up to $12,000 Dates: Science fairs usually occur in the second half of the US academic year.

Cost: Free

9. Vision Global Health About: Hosted by the Global Health and Leadership Conference at Harvard, the Vision Global Heath competition aims to foster interest in global health education and develop leadership skills in high school students.

Participants in the competition create proposals to solve health-related issues and create written reports, then report them at a conference.

This year, the conference will be held in a hybrid format (in person and online).

Eligibility: High school students Awards: TBD Dates: 2024 Conference occurs from September 14-1

5. Application open date TBD.

Cost: Free 1

0. Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) Description: Also similar to ISEF, Regeneron STS is sponsored by Society for Science, and is one of the most prestigious STEM awards in the U.

S.

Nearly 2,000 students each year submit research project entries, out of which 40 become finalists.

This award is extremely competitive, and requires a lengthy application process including essays, research materials, and letters of recommendation.

Eligibility: High school seniors based in the U.

S.

Awards: Cash prizes of up to $200,00

0. Finalists are invited to Washington D.

C. to present their research.

Dates: Deadline falls on around November each year.

Cost: Free.

Neuroscience Competitions for High Schoolers—Concluding Remarks In this post, we provided the top 10 neuroscience competitions for high schoolers in 202

4. Participating in neuroscience competitions opens up a Pandora's box of benefits: earn prestigious accolades, gain support communities, and hone your knowledge.

As a high schooler, winning neuroscience competitions can be a surefire way to demonstrate your passion in medicine and add substance to your college application.

However, don't stop at just these 10 competitions.

Check out 50+ additional opportunities in STEM in this curated, comprehensive guide.

Remember, high school competitions can not only be beneficial to place on college applications, but can also provide students with valuable experiences and opportunities for growth.

Best of luck in competing!

Image Credit: York University.