Explore the top international science olympiads below, with helpful guides to build your knowledge and skills while showcasing your talent.
International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI)
Description: IOAI is an annual competition for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. It aims to inspire and challenge young minds to explore AI and develop the next generation of AI problem-solvers. The inaugural edition was held in Bulgaria in 2024.
Eligibility:
- High school students from around the world
- Open to coding prodigies, machine learning enthusiasts, or anyone curious about AI
Prizes:
- Medals (gold, silver, and bronze)
- Certificates
- Potential internship opportunities with leading AI companies
- Scholarships for AI-related university programs
International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)
Description: IChO is an annual competition that brings together the world’s most talented high school chemistry students, testing their knowledge in theoretical and practical chemistry.
Eligibility:
- High school students selected through national chemistry competitions
Prizes:
- Medals (gold, silver, and bronze)
- Certificates
- International recognition
- Scholarships and opportunities for further study in chemistry
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Description: IMO is the oldest and most prestigious of the International Science Olympiads. It focuses on solving complex mathematical problems that require deep understanding and creative problem-solving.
Eligibility:
- High school students who have excelled in their national mathematics competitions
Prizes:
- Medals (gold, silver, and bronze)
- Certificates
- International recognition
- Scholarships and opportunities to attend top universities
International Research Olympiad
Description: the International Research Olympiad (IRO) is a global competition that evaluates students’ research ability and critical thinking. It aims to foster rigorous scientific inquiry beyond traditional memorization, with multiple rounds culminating in a finals event at Harvard University.
Eligibility:
- Students aged 13-18 from over 45 countries
- Register and pass through preliminary rounds
Prizes:
- Medals: gold, silver, and bronze for top performers in the final round
- Finalists: the top 15 participants attend the finals at Harvard University to present their research
- Additional awards: sponsor prizes, media opportunities, and recognition
International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
Description: IPhO is an annual competition for pre-university students that promotes physics and develops problem-solving skills, with both theoretical and experimental exams.
Eligibility:
- High school students selected through national physics competitions
Prizes:
- Medals (gold, silver, and bronze)
- Certificates
- Recognition
- Scholarships and opportunities to study at prestigious institutions
International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA)
Description: IOAA is an annual event where high school students compete in theoretical, data analysis, and observational problems in astronomy and astrophysics.
Eligibility:
- High school students selected through national astronomy and astrophysics competitions
Prizes:
- Medals (gold, silver, and bronze)
- Certificates
- International recognition
- Scholarships and opportunities for further study in astrophysics
International Biology Olympiad (IBO)
Description: IBO is an annual competition that stimulates young talent in biology, with theoretical and practical exams covering many biological topics.
Eligibility:
- High school students who have excelled in their national biology competitions
Prizes:
- Medals (gold, silver, and bronze)
- Certificates
- International recognition
- Scholarships and opportunities to study biology at top universities
Top International Math Competitions for High School Students
International Science Olympiad (ISO)
Description: the International Science Olympiad aims to identify and nurture young scientific talent by giving students a platform to compete globally. The exam assesses theoretical and practical knowledge, challenging understanding beyond the textbook.
Eligibility:
- Students in grades 1 to 12
- Register individually or as part of a school team
Prizes:
- Perfect Score Award: for students scoring above 95% in the final round, including a gold medal and $100 cash
- Gold medals: for scores of 95% or above
- Silver medals: for scores between 90-94%
- Bronze medals: for scores between 80-89%
- Merit certificates: for all medalists
- Participation certificates: for non-medalists
GENIUS Olympiad
Description: GENIUS Olympiad is an international high school project competition focused on environmental issues. Organized by Terra Science and Education and hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology, it encourages students to develop innovative projects with an environmental emphasis across many disciplines.
Eligibility:
- High school students globally
- Projects must focus on environmental issues
Prizes:
- Awards: medals and recognition in categories such as Science, Writing, Business, Robotics, Art, Music, Short Film, and Coding
- Finalist status: the opportunity to showcase projects at the finals
- Participation fee: $425 per participant
- Optional trips: visits to DC, NYC, Boston, and Six Flags
Conrad Challenge
Description: the Conrad Challenge is an innovation competition that invites students to develop solutions to global challenges, inspiring them to create impactful projects across categories including sustainability, health, and technology.
Eligibility:
- Middle and high school students globally
- Individual or team participation
Prizes:
- Category winners: recognition and awards across challenge categories
- Global finals: the opportunity to present at the Conrad Challenge Global Summit
- Scholarships and grants: for top-performing teams
- Mentorship: access to industry experts and mentors
More STEM Competitions
Rishab Jain, an ISEF winner, has succeeded in many research competitions and projects during high school. His free Student STEM Guide lists 50+ more opportunities and competitions. You can also sign up for the International Research Olympiad.
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