International Research Olympiad (IRO): Guide
In one line
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.
Key points
- 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.
Last updated 26 Jan 2026
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Read in layers
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Read the summary above.
10 seconds
Scan the first few sections below.
100 seconds
Jump into the section that matches your decision.
- Start Here
- 1 What exactly is IRO?
- 2 Eligibility and format (check the official cycle)
- 3 Costs and travel
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.
Start Here
| If you have... | Read this first | What to do next |
| 1 second | IRO tests research thinking, not memorised science facts. | Check the current cycle rules before registering. |
| 10 seconds | The path is usually online Opens, proposal-style Semifinals, then in-person Finals. | Practise turning interests into testable questions. |
| 100 seconds | A strong student can choose variables, controls, fair data collection, and a clear evidence claim. | For example, replace "test fertiliser" with "compare plant height after 14 days using the same soil, light, water, and seed type". |
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.
