Applications are open for the International Machine Learning Competition 2026 ($1,500 prize) - the International Machine Learning Competition (IMLC), where students worldwide learn how machine learning really works by solving problems from the basics to current research.
Compete across three rounds over about five months. Total prizes and awards are worth $1,500 USD, plus international/national awards and Gold, Silver, or Bronze Honours. Qualification Round deadline: Sunday, 13 December 2026, 23:59 UTC.
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official IMLC site (imlco.org). It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - IMLC 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | International Machine Learning Competition (IMLC) 2026 |
| Organiser base | Primarily online; organising team largely based in Germany |
| Prize pool | $1,500 USD total prizes and awards |
| Rounds | Qualification → Pre-Final → Final |
| Qualification deadline | 13 December 2026, 23:59 UTC |
| Final results | Announced ~1 March 2027 |
| Open to | High school and university students worldwide (gap-year students planning university also eligible) |
| Experience needed | None - school maths and curiosity are enough to start |
| Submit | Qualification Round submission portal |
About IMLC
Today, machine learning powers most of what people call AI - yet few students learn how a model is trained, why it predicts what it does, and when it fails. IMLC fills that gap beyond typical school curricula. Problems span six areas: core methods and optimisation, deep learning, frontier models, real-world applications, and trustworthy AI. You start with fundamentals and work up to a recent research paper.
Benefits & Awards
- Total prizes and awards worth $1,500 USD
- Official digital certificates for all participants (verification IDs)
- International awards for outstanding participants
- National awards for top performers from each country
- Gold, Silver, or Bronze Honours for high-scoring finalists
- Special awards for outstanding teachers, schools, and regional representatives
- International community, mentorship, and academic networking
- Hands-on skill development from fundamentals to frontier ML research
Competition Process
- Qualification Round (until 13 Dec 2026) - Solve ML problems independently online from anywhere. Score 15/17/20 points by age group to advance. Collaboration with friends is allowed in this round only.
- Pre-Final Round - Supervised or digitally monitored exam; includes reading a real scientific research paper. (Pre-Final registration costs apply; financial aid available.)
- Final Round - Supervised, tool-free international final on a unified schedule (~40 minutes). Top finishers earn awards; results around 1 March 2027.
Eligibility
- Current high school or university students worldwide
- Gap-year students between high school and university who plan to start university soon
- Interest in machine learning, AI, and/or mathematics
- Computer with internet for online stages; no powerful GPU required
- No prior ML experience required
Age groups
- Junior: 10th grade and below (and under 16)
- Youth: 11th - 13th grade (or age ≥ 16)
- Senior: 1st-year college/university and higher (or age ≥ 19)
Age/grade on the Qualification deadline (13 December 2026) locks your group for the whole edition. All groups receive the same problems; higher groups need more points to advance.
How to Apply / Submit
- Review problems and round details on imlco.org.
- Solve the Qualification Round 2026 problems.
- Submit your solution via the official submission portal by 13 December 2026, 23:59 UTC.
- Teachers/schools can manage students via the IMLC dashboard; ambassadors welcome for local outreach.
Official Links
Submit Qualification Round solutions
Related Opportunities on Opportunity Station
- Science Without Borders Challenge 2027
- AGORA Fellowship 2027 Cohort 2
- Demographics & Planetary Health Story Prize 2026
- Browse competitions
FAQs - International Machine Learning Competition 2026
When is the qualification deadline?
Sunday, 13 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
What is the prize?
Prizes and awards total $1,500 USD, plus certificates, national/international awards, and Gold/Silver/Bronze Honours.
Do I need ML experience?
No. School mathematics and curiosity are enough for the Qualification Round.
Who can enter?
High school and university students worldwide (and eligible gap-year students), competing in Junior, Youth, or Senior age groups.
Where do I submit?
Via the IMLC submission portal after solving the qualification problems.
