The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is an annual competition for secondary-school chemistry students, coordinated by a Steering Committee and an International Jury. Each participating country selects its own team, normally four students and two mentors.
The 59th IChO runs in Taipei from 19 to 28 July 2027, with a practical and a theoretical exam plus scientific and cultural exchange.
Benefits & funding
- The organizer covers the organized program, including accommodation, transfers from its designated airport or station on arrival and departure days, and accident insurance.
- Participating countries pay return travel and a team participation fee, currently USD 3,000 per team; every delegation member needs their own medical insurance.
- Top scorers win medals or honorable mentions; every competitor gets a participation certificate.
Eligibility
- Secondary-school students, or recent graduates who have not started university; graduation no earlier than the most recent one before 1 July 2027.
- Under 20 on 1 July 2027.
- Competitors must hold the passport of the country they represent, or have attended that country’s secondary-school system for more than one academic year (any nationality on this second route).
- Countries that have sent teams, per the official results archive: Afghanistan, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UK, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam. A country new to IChO must first send observers to two consecutive olympiads.
- If a country’s team cannot be formally invited, its students may take part as individuals.
- No central applications: each country picks its team, normally through an open national selection.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
High School
Age requirement
≤ 19 yrs
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Application process
- 1Find the organization that runs the Chemistry Olympiad in your country.
- 2Check its eligibility rules, selection stages and national deadline.
- 3Enter and complete the national selection.
- 4If selected, follow the national delegation’s instructions; the country registers its team with the organizer.
Program timeline
Invitations sent; countries not automatically invited apply.
By end of November 2026
Preparatory problems released.
January 2027
Age and graduation reference date.
1 July 2027
19 July 2027
IChO 2027 opens in Taipei.
28 July 2027
IChO 2027 ends.