The International Mathematical Olympiad is an annual world championship mathematics competition for secondary-school students. Each invited country or territory may send a national team of up to six contestants, and students reach the event through their national mathematical olympiad or an equivalent selection program.
The 2027 edition will take place in Budapest, Hungary, from 16 to 26 July and is hosted by the HUN-REN Rényi Institute. Contestants sit six proof-based problems over two consecutive days and also take part in an international program designed to build mathematical connections across countries.
Benefits & funding
- The host organisation covers accommodation, meals, transport between the official arrival or departure points and accommodation, and necessary transport within the official program.
- Contestants or their delegations remain responsible for international travel, insurance, extra days, and travel outside the covered official arrangements.
- Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded to about half of contestants in an approximate 1:2:3 ratio; an honourable mention is available for a full solution to at least one problem without a medal.
- The event includes opportunities to meet international peers, attend mathematical talks, and join cultural activities.
Eligibility
- Entry is by invitation through an eligible national team; individuals do not apply directly to the international event.
- A country may send up to six contestants selected through its national mathematical olympiad or equivalent program.
- For IMO 2027, contestants must have been born on or after 1 July 2007.
- Contestants must have been enrolled in full-time primary or secondary education on or after 1 December 2026. Home-schooled contestants must not have received a secondary-school diploma or equivalent and must have been working toward one on that date.
- A contestant normally represents a country of citizenship. A genuine long-term resident educated in another country may represent that country after at least one full academic year there and with at least two total years of full-time education there before leaving secondary education, provided the move was for a bona fide family reason.
- A student may not attempt the final selection examinations of more than one country in the same IMO year.
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
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Application process
- 1Use the IMO countries directory to find the official national contact or national mathematical olympiad website.
- 2Enter the national mathematical olympiad or equivalent selection program and follow its country-specific dates and forms.
- 3Complete the national selection process without attempting another country’s final selection in the same IMO year.
- 4If selected, provide the required details to the national team leader, who completes the invitation-only IMO registration.
Program timeline
Varies by country
National olympiad and team-selection stages
16 July 2027
IMO 2027 begins in Budapest
26 July 2027
IMO 2027 ends