International Research Olympiad (IRO): Guide
05 Aug 2025, 00:00 Z· Last updated 26 Jan 2026
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Q: What does International Research Olympiad (IRO): IP Math & Physics Guide cover?
A: A parent-and-student primer on the IRO’s published format, eligibility, and where to confirm official details each cycle.
TL;DR
The International Research Olympiad is a research-design competition with three stages published on its official programme: an online preliminary (“Opens”), a proposal-style Semifinal, and an in-person Finals. Grade/age eligibility, fees, dates, advancement thresholds, and awards are set by the organisers each year-check the official pages for the current cycle before registering.
Pair it with our IP Physics tuition hub so your uncertainty calculations and experimental write-ups stay aligned with what IRO examiners and SEAB practical rubrics expect.
Status: IRO official site checked 2026-01-26 - structure remains Opens (online), Semifinals (proposal), Finals (in-person); eligibility/fees/timeline are cycle-specific, so always verify on the official pages before registering.
1 What exactly is IRO?
The International Research Olympiad is an international competition focused on designing and evaluating research investigations. It is cross-disciplinary by design; the organisers publish sample questions and programme notes on their site.
Mission extract - “Empower pre-university students worldwide to practise the full inquiry cycle: ask, design, analyse, communicate.” International Research Olympiad - FAQ
2 Eligibility and format (check the official cycle)
- Eligibility: Grade/age bands and any school-type conditions are listed on the official pages. Confirm the current cycle’s requirements before applying. FAQ
- Structure: The programme outlines three stages-Opens (online fundamentals), Semifinals (proposal-style submission), and Finals (in-person event). Exact timing, length, and advancement rules are set each year on the official programme page. Programme
- Rules: Proctoring, allowed tools, academic integrity, and award procedures are cycle-specific-use the official IRO pages and any published rules links for that year. FAQ
3 Costs and travel
Registration fees, any fee-waiver process, and Finals travel expectations are published by the organisers. Check the current cycle’s registration and FAQ pages for the latest amounts and support options.
