International Machine Learning Competition 2026

The International Machine Learning Competition 2026 is an international academic competition designed to help students understand how machine learning works and explore the technology behind many of today’s artificial intelligence systems. The competition gives students an opportunity to solve machine learning problems, develop analytical skills and engage with concepts that may go beyond their regular school curriculum.

The competition is open to students from around the world who are interested in machine learning and artificial intelligence. No prior machine learning experience is required to begin, making the competition accessible to students who are interested in learning the subject while testing their problem solving abilities against participants internationally.

The 2026 edition begins with a Qualification Round consisting of five machine learning problems covering different topics and levels of difficulty. Successful participants can progress to a more advanced Pre Final Round and then to the Final Round, where finalists compete for international prizes, honours and recognition.

About the Competition

The International Machine Learning Competition gives students an opportunity to learn about machine learning through structured problem solving. The competition moves from foundational concepts to more advanced problems and eventually introduces participants to real world machine learning research.

The competition is divided into three main stages.

Qualification Round

The first stage contains five problems covering a range of machine learning topics. Problems may involve understanding how models learn from data, mathematical calculations and other fundamental concepts. Participants submit their solutions online.

Students are divided into Junior, Youth and Senior groups based on their age or grade. Students in all groups receive the same problems, although the score required to progress differs between groups.

Pre Final Round

Students who qualify move to a supervised 60 minute examination containing three problems. These include a basic problem, an advanced problem and a research problem based on a real machine learning research paper.

The research component gives participants an opportunity to engage with current machine learning research and develop the ability to understand and apply ideas from academic literature.

Final Round

The Final Round consists of a supervised online examination with approximately 30 questions. The questions cover machine learning knowledge developed through the earlier stages of the competition.

The 2026 Final Round is scheduled for February 23, 2027, with results expected on March 1, 2027.

Competition Benefits

• Total prizes and awards valued at US$1,500

• Official digital participation certificates

• Gold, Silver and Bronze Honours for qualifying finalists

• First, second and third prizes in the Junior, Youth and Senior categories

• National recognition for top participants from each country

• Opportunity to develop practical understanding of machine learning

• Exposure to real world machine learning research

• International academic recognition

• Access to an international community of students interested in machine learning

• Opportunities to connect with other students through the IMLC network

• Potential access to information about scholarships, sponsored events and other competitions

Competition Categories

The International Machine Learning Competition has three age and education groups.

Junior

• Students in Grade 10 and below

• Participants must generally be under 16 years old

Youth

• Students in Grades 11 to 13

• Participants who are at least 16 years old may also fall into this category

Senior

• First year college or university students and above

• Participants aged 19 years or older may also fall into this category

The age or grade of the participant on the Qualification Round submission deadline determines their competition group for the entire competition.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to current high school and university students worldwide

• Students from all eligible grades and countries may participate

• Students interested in machine learning or artificial intelligence are encouraged to apply

• No previous machine learning experience is required to participate in the Qualification Round

• Students taking a gap year between high school and university may participate

• Participants must submit their Qualification Round solutions by December 13, 2026

• Students must provide accurate personal and school information for certification purposes

Required Application Information

For the Qualification Round, participants are required to submit their solutions to the five competition problems.

The submission should include:

• Solutions to the Qualification Round problems

• Participant name

• School or educational institution

• City

• Date of birth

• A digital solution file or clear images of handwritten solutions

Typed solutions are recommended, although clear handwritten solutions may also be submitted. If several images are used, they should be combined into a single PDF file.

There is no registration or participation fee for the Qualification Round.

Prize Structure

The competition offers a total of US$1,500 in cash prizes and special honours.

Senior Category

• First Prize: US$250

• Second Prize: US$175

• Third Prize: US$125

Youth Category

• First Prize: US$200

• Second Prize: US$150

• Third Prize: US$100

Junior Category

• First Prize: US$175

• Second Prize: US$125

• Third Prize: US$100

Additional national awards are available for the top participants from each country. Finalists may also receive Bronze, Silver or Gold Honours depending on their performance.

Important Dates

• December 13, 2026: Qualification Round submission deadline

• December 28, 2026: Qualification Round results

• January 19, 2027: Pre Final Round registration deadline

• January 22, 2027: Research paper released for the Pre Final Round

• January 24 to January 26, 2027: Pre Final Round examination period

• February 8, 2027: Pre Final Round results

• February 23, 2027: Final Round examination

• March 1, 2027: Final Round results

How to Apply

1. Review the International Machine Learning Competition 2026 information and competition rules.
2. Confirm that you meet the student eligibility requirements and identify your appropriate age or education category.
3. Access the Qualification Round problems and work through all five machine learning problems.
4. Prepare your solutions digitally or as clear handwritten documents.
5. Make sure your name, school, city and date of birth are entered correctly because this information will be used for competition certificates.
6. Submit your Qualification Round solutions through the official IMLC submission system before December 13, 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
7. Check your participant account and email for the Qualification Round results.
8. If you qualify, register for the Pre Final Round and review the research paper provided by the organisers.
9. Complete the supervised Pre Final examination during the designated examination period.
10. If you qualify for the Final Round, complete the final supervised online examination and await the official results.