From November 4 to 9, members of the International Biology Olympiad (IBO, https://www.ibo-info.org) Steering Committee are visiting Lithuania. The visit marks a significant milestone in the preparations for the 2026 International Biology Olympiad, which will take place in Vilnius from July 12 to 19, 2026 (https://www.ibo2026.lt).
During their stay, the committee members took part in several important meetings. On November 5, they held a session at Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (LSC); on November 6, they visited the planned Olympiad venues and met with the leadership of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports; and on November 7, they met with the Rector of Vilnius University and members of the Olympiad Council.
The International Biology Olympiad is the world’s largest life sciences competition for talented school students, bringing together participants from more than 80 countries every year. Lithuania has been participating in this prestigious event since 2006, annually delegating the four best national finalists of the Lithuanian Biology Olympiad.
The IBO 2026 Vilnius event is expected to welcome over 600 guests from around the world, with approximately 200 volunteers contributing to its organization. It will be the largest in-person science event for school students ever held in Lithuania. The Olympiad is organized by the Lithuanian National Agency for Education and Vilnius University, and funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania.
To mark this critical stage of preparation, a symbolic IBO trophy – established in 1995 and passed each year to the next Olympiad organizers – is currently on display in the lobby of Vilnius University Life Sciences Center.