International Brain Research Organization

What International Brain Research Organization does

International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), founded in 1978 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, is a global nonprofit federation that supports and connects the worldwide neuroscience research community. It operates through five elected regional committees (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Pan-Europe, US/Canada) and links more than 80 member neuroscience societies across over 100 countries. Its activities are delivered by a small Brussels secretariat (1-10 staff) and elected volunteer leadership under President Shubha Tole and Executive Director Lars Kristiansen.

IBRO's core deliverables fall into four categories: (1) peer-reviewed journals—Neuroscience (50 years in 2026) and IBRO Neuroscience Reports (10 years in 2026)—which generate the majority of organizational funding; (2) a portfolio of grant programs including travel grants, parenthood grants, collaborative research grants, Rising Stars Awards ($8,000-$30,000), Schools Support (up to $50,000), and the Fund for Undergraduate Research Internship Programs (up to $25,000); (3) structured neuroscience training schools (750 researchers trained from 67 countries in 2022 alone); and (4) the biennial IBRO World Congress, with the 2027 edition scheduled for Cape Town. Complementary offerings include a monthly newsletter (IBRO Highlights), the International Brain Bee (K-12 pipeline), and advocacy participation through the European Brain Council.

The business model is non-commercial. More than 70% of IBRO's initiatives are funded by proceeds from journal publishing; the balance comes from membership dues paid by affiliated societies, donations, and co-funded partnerships with organizations including Wellcome (NCAMH), Simons Foundation (Computational Neuroscience Imbizo), RIKEN CBS (Summer Program), FENS, and SfN. IBRO does not sell products or charge for grants and training; all programs are provided free to eligible researchers via open-call applications processed through ibro.org and regional committee networks. Distribution is community-led, relying on website content, social media, the monthly newsletter, regional committees, and partner organization channels to reach researchers globally.

Name

International Brain Research Organization

Legal name

International Brain Research Organization

Website

https://ibro.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) is a Brussels-headquartered global nonprofit federation founded in 1978 that connects 80+ neuroscience societies across 100+ countries via five regional committees, funding research and training through journal proceeds, grants, and partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neuroscience research support services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Research Administration & Grants Management Support (Pre/Post-Award, Compliance) (EDAEALAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate) (EDAIAIAF)

Keywords

• Neuroscience research grants
• Scientific training programs
• Peer-reviewed journals
• Academic research support
• Neuroscience education

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Journal Publications: IBRO publishes two peer-reviewed journals - Neuroscience and IBRO Neuroscience Reports. More than 70% of the organization's initiatives are funded by proceeds from journal publishing activities.
2. Membership Dues: IBRO is composed of member neuroscience societies from around the world that pay membership fees, contributing to organizational funding.
3. Donations and Support: IBRO accepts financial contributions from individuals and organizations to support its programs and empower the global neuroscience community.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IBRO is a global non-profit federation that advances neuroscience research worldwide by providing research grants, training schools, and travel support to neuroscientists, and by publishing two peer-reviewed journals (Neuroscience and IBRO Neuroscience Reports). It connects more than 80 member neuroscience societies across five regional committees (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Pan-Europe, US/Canada) and convenes the biennial IBRO World Congress. Programmatic activities are funded primarily by revenue generated from its journal portfolio (over 70% of initiatives), supplemented by membership dues, grants, and donations.

Product overview

IBRO (International Brain Research Organization) is a global neuroscience organization operating as a membership-based federation rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of two peer-reviewed journals (Neuroscience and IBRO Neuroscience Reports), comprehensive grants programs supporting neuroscience research worldwide, and training/education initiatives. The organization connects over 75 neuroscience organizations across more than 90 countries through five regional committees (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Pan-Europe, and US/Canada). Revenue generation primarily comes from journal operations, funding over 70% of organizational initiatives. The portfolio includes funding programs (Rising Stars Awards, Collaborative Research Grants, Travel Grants, Parenthood Grants, Schools Support), training programs (neuroscience schools and courses), the biennial IBRO World Congress, and newsletters (IBRO Highlights and IBRO 2027 World Congress News).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Neuroscience: IBRO's peer-reviewed journal publishing impactful neuroscience research
• IBRO Neuroscience Reports

Products and services

• Neuroscience (Journal) IBRO's primary peer-reviewed journal publishing impactful, internationally-relevant neuroscience research; it is IBRO's flagship scientific publication and a major revenue source funding over 70% of organizational initiatives. Targeted at neuroscience researchers globally and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
• IBRO Neuroscience Reports IBRO's open-access peer-reviewed journal disseminating neuroscience research, marking its 10th anniversary in 2026. Targeted at neuroscience researchers globally seeking open-access publication of impactful findings.
• IBRO Grants Programs IBRO's umbrella portfolio of neuroscience-focused funding opportunities that supports career development and global knowledge exchange, including travel grants, collaborative research grants, rising stars awards, parenthood grants, and schools support. Targeted at early-career neuroscientists worldwide.
• IBRO Training Programs IBRO's portfolio of structured neuroscience schools and training programs for scientists worldwide, including advanced training schools, foundation training schools, and specialized courses (e.g., RIKEN CBS Summer Program, Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo). Targeted at graduate students, postdocs, and early-career researchers seeking advanced neuroscience training.
• IBRO World Congress IBRO's flagship biennial international neuroscience conference bringing together researchers from around the world, with travel grant support available. The next congress is scheduled for September 13–16, 2027 in Cape Town, South Africa. Targeted at the global neuroscience research community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750 researchers trained in 2022 alone through 30 supported schools
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Alzheimer's AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Alzheimer's Association joined as a new Governing Partner of the International Brain Bee in 2021, supporting the organization's mission to inspire students to pursue neuroscience careers.
• Dana FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Dana Foundation is one of five founding organizations of the International Brain Bee (2018) and partners with IBRO on Brain Awareness Week Campaign to equip scientists with skills and tools to advocate for brain research importance.
• American Psychological AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018American Psychological Association is one of five founding organizations of the International Brain Bee established as a US-based non-profit in 2018.
• International Brain Bee (IBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBRO is a founding member of the International Brain Bee, established as a US-based non-profit educational organization in 2018. IBRO supports IBB's mission to inspire students to pursue neuroscience careers through annual virtual World Championship and in-person NextGen events held at partner meetings.
• ALBA NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative programs with ALBA Network create platforms to raise awareness about unique issues faced by underrepresented communities in neuroscience and offer practical resources and dedicated training to tackle these challenges.
• World Women in Neuroscience (WWN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative programs with World Women in Neuroscience aim to provide mentoring, networking opportunities, and capacity-building support for women in neuroscience globally.
• European Brain Council (EBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBRO's Pan-European Regional Committee (IBRO-PERC) is a member of EBC and holds a seat on its board. IBRO-PERC participates in advocacy initiatives including the Pledge for Science campaign, Animal Research Taskforce, and No Health Without Brain Health campaign.
• Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel grant programs with FENS offer scientists from around the world opportunities to acquire scientific knowledge and benefit from career development opportunities at FENS Forum and other events.
• Society for Neuroscience (SfN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBRO maintains travel grant programs with SfN enabling neuroscientists worldwide to attend the annual Neuroscience conference with travel and local expense support.
• RIKEN Center for Brain SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBRO partners with RIKEN Center for Brain Science to support the annual RIKEN CBS Summer Program offering advanced neuroscience training through two-month lab internships or intensive five-day lecture courses.
• Simons FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimons Foundation supports the Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo, a 3-week annual summer school building African capacity in computational neuroscience held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Society for Neuroscience (SfN): The largest professional neuroscience society in the world, serving researchers globally with conferences (annual Neuroscience meeting), publications (The Journal of Neuroscience), training programs, and advocacy. Highly comparable to IBRO as a fellow global neuroscience membership and convening organization, and IBRO already partners with SfN on travel grants.
• Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS): Federation of national European neuroscience societies that organizes the biennial FENS Forum and runs training schools and exchange programs. Directly comparable to IBRO as a regional federation of neuroscience societies; IBRO-PERC partners with FENS on exchange fellowships and stipends.
• World Federation of Neurology (WFN): UK-based global federation of national neurological societies with regional structures, providing education, research grants, and advocacy across 100+ countries. Closely comparable organizational model to IBRO: a federation of member societies with regional committees, training programs, and global conferences.
• European Brain Council (EBC): Brussels-based advocacy and coordination body for European brain research, of which IBRO's Pan-European Regional Committee is a board member. Comparable in coordinating neuroscience policy, advocacy, and pan-European programs across member organizations.

Broad incumbents

• Wellcome Trust: One of the world's largest biomedical research charities and a major direct funder of neuroscience, including the joint Neuroscience Capacity Accelerator for Mental Health (NCAMH) with IBRO. Comparable in mission to support neuroscience research globally, but at materially larger scale (multi-billion-pound endowment).
• The Kavli Foundation: US foundation supporting fundamental research in neuroscience, astrophysics, and nanoscience through Kavli Institutes at major universities globally. Comparable as a global neuroscience funder with strategic interest in basic brain research, though operating via institutional partnerships rather than direct grants to individuals.
• Dana Foundation: US private foundation supporting brain research and public engagement, including co-founding the International Brain Bee with IBRO. Comparable mission of advancing brain science and education, and a current IBRO partner on Brain Awareness Week campaigns.
• Simons Foundation (Simons Collaborations / SFARI): Major US philanthropy funding neuroscience research including SFARI for autism and the Simons Computational Neuroscience Imbizo co-supported by IBRO. Comparable as a global neuroscience funder with structured capacity-building programs, but with vastly greater financial scale than IBRO.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI): One of the largest US private funders of biomedical research with significant neuroscience investment through its Investigator program and Janelia Research Campus. Comparable mission orientation toward advancing brain research, but with substantially larger program budgets and a different (investigator-based) delivery model.

Emerging players

• International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF): International organization advancing neuroinformatics infrastructure, standards, and training for neuroscience research globally. Comparable in serving as a global coordinating body for neuroscience research communities, but with a narrower scope focused on data, tools, and computational infrastructure rather than grants and training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IBROorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@IBROorg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ibroSecretariat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-brain-research-organization
• Instagraminstagram.com/ibro_insta

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Brain Research Organization