International Research Olympiad (IRO): IP Math & Physics Guide

TL;DR
The International Research Olympiad (IRO) launched its inaugural cycle in 2025 and is already drawing middle- and high-schoolers from more than 20 countries. Students sit one online fundamentals test (Opens), a research-design paper (Semifinals) and, for the top 15 scorers, an in-person finals weekend in Cambridge MA. Registration is USD 25 (need-based waivers available) and every entrant receives a percentile report and certificate. In short: low monetary barrier, high signal on research readiness, perfect for IP learners eyeing future H3 projects.

1 What exactly is IRO?

The International Research Olympiad is a non-profit 501(c)(3) competition that evaluates a student's ability to design and critique scientific investigations rather than solve routine problem sets. It is not tied to a single subject; past sample questions span statistics, bioengineering, and data ethics.

Mission extract - “Empower pre-university students worldwide to practise the full inquiry cycle: ask, design, analyse, communicate.” International Research Olympiad - About

2 Eligibility at a glance