Submissions are open for the International Physics Competition 2026, also known as IPhyC 2026. Officially described as the “Education Program & Talent Search in Physics,” IPhyC is an international online initiative that allows participants to test their physics knowledge, strengthen their scientific reasoning and engage with problems extending beyond the conventional classroom curriculum.
The competition is conducted online, meaning participants can enter without travelling to another country or attending an in-person international event. It combines accessible introductory problems with advanced calculations, research-based questions and fast-paced assessments across three progressive rounds.
The Qualification Round is free to enter. Participants must download the official problem sheet, solve the questions and submit their work online by Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0. Successful participants can progress to the Semi-Final and Final rounds, where they may compete for cash prizes, international honours, national awards and verifiable certificates.
What Is the International Physics Competition?
The International Physics Competition is an independent educational programme designed to make international physics challenges accessible through digital technology. It is coordinated by Edu.Harbour and brings together participants, teachers, schools and local representatives from different parts of the world.
Its purpose goes beyond ranking competitors. IPhyC aims to encourage curiosity about physics, introduce participants to unconventional problem formats and help them develop skills that can support future studies in science, technology, engineering and research.
According to the organizers, the programme is intended to supplement established national and international physics Olympiads rather than replace them. Its focus is broader accessibility, educational development and exposure to scientific research. Read more about IPhyC’s mission and structure.
International Physics Competition 2026 at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme name | International Physics Competition 2026 |
| Official subtitle | Education Program & Talent Search in Physics |
| Competition format | Three online rounds |
| Qualification Round fee | Free |
| Semi-Final Round fee | EUR 12 for qualified participants |
| Qualification deadline | Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0 |
| Qualification results | Monday, 16 November 2026 |
| Semi-Final examination window | 13–15 December 2026 |
| Final Round date | Tuesday, 12 January 2027 |
| Final results | Monday, 18 January 2027 |
| Published award-package value | USD 1,500 |
| Highest individual cash prize | USD 250 |
| Participation mode | Primarily online |
| Official website | International Physics Competition |
| Submission portal | Submit a Qualification Round solution |
Why Participate in IPhyC 2026?
IPhyC provides an opportunity to apply theoretical physics knowledge to diverse and unfamiliar problems. Participants are expected to combine calculations, logical reasoning, reading comprehension and scientific interpretation.
The principal features include:
- A globally accessible online format.
- The same problems for participants around the world.
- Separate age and academic groups with adjusted qualifying scores.
- A free Qualification Round.
- Research-based problems connected to real scientific publications.
- A structured pathway from an open Qualification Round to supervised examinations.
- Participation certificates for all valid participants.
- Cash prizes and special certificates for leading finalists.
- National awards for strong performers from individual countries.
- Online accounts through which participants can access results, performance reports and certificates.
- Resources for teachers, schools and local physics groups.
- An alumni network through which former participants may receive information about scholarships, sponsored events and other academic opportunities.
Academic Areas Covered by IPhyC
The competition can draw on a wide range of theoretical and applied physics subjects. The official website’s learning and preparation resources cover areas such as:
- Mechanics
- Electrodynamics
- Thermodynamics
- Quantum mechanics
- Relativity
- Fluid dynamics
- Optics
- Particle physics
- Solid-state physics
- Plasma physics
- Astrophysics
Participants should not assume that every topic will appear in every round. Instead, they should prepare broadly and practise applying fundamental principles in unfamiliar contexts.
IPhyC is designed to develop several transferable academic skills:
- Logical reasoning and creative problem-solving
- Knowledge of physical laws, concepts and definitions
- Mathematical calculation
- Scientific reading comprehension
- Analytical thinking
- Application of theoretical knowledge
- Time management
- Adaptability to different question formats
- Clear presentation of scientific solutions
The official IPhyC training and preparation page provides preparation advice, recommended reading and previous competition material.
How the International Physics Competition 2026 Works
The competition consists of three stages:
- Qualification Round
- Semi-Final Round
- Final Round
Participants must achieve the prescribed score for their age group before progressing to the next stage.
Stage One: Qualification Round
The Qualification Round is the open-entry stage of IPhyC 2026. It contains five physics problems identified as Problems A, B, C, D and E.
The problems vary in subject, difficulty and format. Some primarily assess physics knowledge, while others require mathematical calculations, interpretation and structured reasoning.
Qualification Round scoring
Each of the five problems carries a maximum of five points, creating a total possible score of 25 points.
The minimum scores required to advance are:
| Group | Minimum qualifying score |
| Junior | 15 out of 25 |
| Youth | 17 out of 25 |
| Senior | 20 out of 25 |
All groups receive the same problems, but the qualifying threshold increases for the more advanced groups.
Qualification Round deadline
The final submission deadline is:
Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0
The organizers recommend submitting earlier to avoid last-minute internet, file-upload or website-related problems.
Submission format
Solutions may be:
- Professionally typed using a computer programme such as TeX;
- Typed using another word-processing programme and converted to PDF; or
- Written by hand and uploaded as clear scanned images or photographs.
Digitally typeset solutions may receive a special honorary note on the participant’s certificate.
Only one solution file may be uploaded. If a participant has several images, they must be combined into one PDF before submission.
Accepted formats are:
- JPG
- JPEG
- PNG
The following formats are not accepted:
- DOC
- DOCX
- ZIP
- Other unsupported file types
The uploaded file must be smaller than 10 MB.
Qualification Round participation cost
There is no registration charge for the Qualification Round. A valid solution must, however, be submitted; incomplete registrations without an attached solution may be deleted.
Announcement of results
Qualification Round results are scheduled to be announced on Monday, 16 November 2026.
Participants should receive the result by email. They can also log in to their participant accounts to access:
- Their competition status;
- Results;
- Performance reports;
- Certificates; and
- Information about the next round.
Stage Two: Semi-Final Round
Participants who meet the Qualification Round threshold may register for the Semi-Final Round.
The current 2026 round structure consists of a supervised 60-minute examination with three problems:
| Problem | Maximum points | Description |
| Basic problem | 4 | A comparatively approachable physics question |
| Advanced problem | 6 | A more challenging analytical problem |
| Research problem | 8 | A question connected to a real scientific research paper |
The maximum available score is 18 points.
Semi-Final qualifying scores
| Group | Score needed for Final Round |
| Junior | 9 out of 18 |
| Youth | 11 out of 18 |
| Senior | 13 out of 18 |
Research-paper preparation
The research paper for the Semi-Final Round is scheduled to be released on Friday, 11 December 2026.
Qualified and registered participants will receive it through email and their participant accounts. Participants may use translation tools and artificial intelligence tools during the preparation period to help them understand the research paper.
However, these tools cannot be used to obtain assistance during the supervised examination itself.
Semi-Final examination period
The examination can be taken at any selected time during the following window:
- Opening: Sunday, 13 December 2026 at 00:01 UTC+0
- Closing: Tuesday, 15 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0
Once started, the participant has 60 minutes to complete the examination. After the examination ends, a further 10 minutes is provided to scan and upload the written answers. This upload period remains supervised.
Supervision options
Participants have two supervision options.
Option One: Teacher supervision
Teacher supervision is recommended. The supervising teacher must:
- Be employed by a government-accredited school or university;
- Be an active teacher or professor rather than retired;
- Not be related to the participant;
- Register with IPhyC; and
- Receive approval before supervising the examination.
The teacher must also document the examination conditions as required by the organizers.
Option Two: Online supervision
Participants without an eligible teacher may use IPhyC’s online supervision system. This requires:
- A computer, laptop or phone with a webcam as the examination device;
- A separate phone with a camera and microphone as the supervision device;
- A valid government-issued identity card or passport;
- A stable internet connection; and
- An appropriate private examination environment.
Semi-Final registration cost
Qualified participants who choose to enter the Semi-Final Round must pay EUR 12. The general rules describe this payment as non-refundable.
The Semi-Final registration deadline is Tuesday, 8 December 2026.
Semi-Final results are expected on Monday, 28 December 2026. Complete information is available on the official 2026 Process and Rounds page.
Financial Aid for Semi-Finalists
IPhyC offers limited financial assistance for qualified participants who cannot afford the EUR 12 Semi-Final fee.
Two forms of assistance are available:
- A 50% reduction in the registration fee; or
- A complete fee waiver.
Financial aid is limited and depends on sponsorship funding. Receiving support is therefore not guaranteed.
Applicants must generally submit:
- A written explanation of their financial circumstances; and
- Evidence of household income, such as a salary slip, tax statement or official income certificate.
The financial-aid request deadline is Monday, 23 November 2026. Requests are assessed according to demonstrated financial need and the quality of the applicant’s Qualification Round work. Review the official financial-aid conditions.
Stage Three: Final Round
Participants who achieve the required Semi-Final score progress to the Final Round.
The Final Round is scheduled for:
Tuesday, 12 January 2027
The current 2026 information describes it as a digitally monitored online examination with approximately 30 questions. It takes around 30 minutes and may contain:
- Multiple-choice questions;
- Short-answer questions;
- Questions connected to previous rounds;
- Questions requiring knowledge from different branches of physics; and
- Problems related to the Semi-Final research material.
Final rankings are determined primarily by performance in the Final Round. If two or more participants obtain the same Final Round score, Semi-Final and Qualification Round scores may be used as tie-breakers.
Final Round results are scheduled for Monday, 18 January 2027.
Complete IPhyC 2026 Timeline
| Activity | Date |
| Qualification Round submission deadline | 1 November 2026, 23:59 UTC+0 |
| Qualification Round results | 16 November 2026 |
| Financial-aid request deadline | 23 November 2026 |
| Semi-Final registration deadline | 8 December 2026 |
| Research paper released | 11 December 2026 |
| Semi-Final examination window | 13–15 December 2026 |
| Semi-Final results | 28 December 2026 |
| Final Round examination | 12 January 2027 |
| Final results | 18 January 2027 |
Applicants should monitor the official website and their email accounts because the organizers reserve the right to amend dates or procedures when operational circumstances require changes.
Cash Prizes and International Awards
The official awards page describes the complete IPhyC 2026 award package as being worth USD 1,500, including cash prizes and special honours.
The published individual cash-prize schedule is:
| Group | Position | Cash prize |
| Senior | First Prize | USD 250 |
| Senior | Second Prize | USD 175 |
| Senior | Third Prize | USD 125 |
| Youth | First Prize | USD 200 |
| Youth | Second Prize | USD 150 |
| Youth | Third Prize | USD 100 |
| Junior | First Prize | USD 175 |
| Junior | Second Prize | USD 125 |
| Junior | Third Prize | USD 100 |
The nine listed cash payments total USD 1,400. The official USD 1,500 description refers to the broader award package, including special honours and certificates, rather than USD 1,500 in itemized cash payments.
First-, second- and third-prize winners also receive special prize certificates. The organizers state that hard copies are sent to these leading prize winners, while other participants receive digital certificates containing permanent verification identification numbers. View the official prize schedule.
Certificates, Honours and National Recognition
Recognition is not limited to the nine cash-prize winners.
The awards structure includes:
- Official participation certificates for valid participants;
- Semi-Finalist certificates;
- Bronze, Silver or Gold honours for Finalists, depending on performance;
- Special certificates for first-, second- and third-prize winners;
- National Award certificates; and
- A special honorary note for professionally typeset Qualification Round solutions.
The top three participants from a country may receive National Awards if they obtain at least 50% of the available Final Round points. The organizers may also publish a list of leading national performers.
Certificates include verification codes that allow schools, universities and other institutions to confirm their authenticity through the IPhyC website.
Information Required for Submission
Applicants should prepare the following information before opening the submission form:
- Correct full name;
- Date of birth;
- Current country and city of study;
- Active email address;
- A password containing at least eight characters;
- Official name of the school or university;
- Grade or university year applicable on 1 November 2026;
- Completed Qualification Round solution file;
- Teacher or school email address, if available;
- Preferred communication language; and
- Local IPhyC representative’s name, if applicable.
The teacher’s email address and local representative selection are optional.
Participants must enter their names and dates of birth accurately because these details are used on certificates. The organizers may verify the ages of prize winners.
How to Enter the International Physics Competition 2026
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official IPhyC website.
- Download the 2026 Qualification Round problem sheet.
- Review all five problems carefully.
- Solve as many problems as possible and show the reasoning behind each answer.
- Type the solutions or prepare clear scans of handwritten work.
- Combine everything into one accepted file.
- Ensure that the file is smaller than 10 MB.
- Open the official submission form.
- Enter the required personal and academic details accurately.
- Upload the solution file.
- Read and accept the competition rules and data policy.
- Submit before 1 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0.
- Monitor the registered email address and participant account for confirmation and results.
Submissions are not accepted by email.
Collaboration, Academic Integrity and Cheating Rules
Every participant must submit an individual solution.
During the Qualification Round, participants may:
- Work with classmates or friends to explore possible approaches;
- Receive basic guidance from a teacher;
- Consult books and online material for general definitions and scientific background; and
- Discuss the underlying concepts.
They may not:
- Copy another person’s exact solution;
- Copy a completed solution from the internet;
- Ask users on an online platform to solve the problems for them; or
- Submit work that is not their own.
During the Semi-Final examination, participants cannot use external websites, books, notes or assistance from another person. A calculator is permitted in the Semi-Final Round, but artificial intelligence and translation tools are limited to understanding the research paper during the preparation period.
During the Final Round, calculators, external sources and assistance from others are prohibited. Only blank paper and a pencil may be used for notes.
Cheating, plagiarism, impersonation or the submission of falsified information can result in immediate disqualification and loss of any registration fee. Participants should read the complete IPhyC cheating policy before entering.
How to Prepare for IPhyC 2026
A strong preparation strategy should include the following:
1. Understand the three-round structure
The Qualification Round rewards complete reasoning and clear written solutions. The Semi-Final adds a supervised, time-limited research component, while the Final requires faster responses across different physics fields.
2. Review fundamental physics
Focus on essential principles in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, modern physics, fluids and related topics.
3. Practise presenting complete solutions
Do not provide only a numerical answer. Define the variables, identify the relevant physical law, show the calculations and state the final result clearly with the correct units.
4. Strengthen scientific reading skills
Practise reading research abstracts, identifying a paper’s main finding and connecting unfamiliar terminology to familiar physics principles.
5. Solve problems under time limits
Timed practice is particularly important for the supervised Semi-Final and fast-paced Final Round.
6. Learn from errors
After attempting a problem, compare the approach with an official or trusted solution. Identify whether the mistake came from conceptual understanding, algebra, units, interpretation or time management.
7. Use official preparation materials
Consult previous IPhyC problems, recommended textbooks and the resources available through the official training page.
Role of Teachers and Schools
Teachers are not required for the initial Qualification Round, but they can play a valuable role in sharing the competition, guiding students and supervising later stages.
Registered teachers may be able to:
- View their students’ results and certificates;
- Download teacher reports;
- Pay Semi-Final fees for multiple students as a group;
- Supervise Semi-Final examinations; and
- Access educational materials.
IPhyC also offers honorary awards for teachers and schools with significant participation, strong student performance or notable contributions. These awards do not include cash payments.
Language and Global Accessibility
English is the original language of IPhyC. The website also provides translated interfaces in German, Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean and Turkish.
The organizers indicate that non-English versions may contain automatic translations. Participants using a translated version should therefore compare any uncertain scientific wording with the original English material.
Because the competition is mainly online, no international travel is required. Participants should nevertheless ensure that they have reliable internet access and the necessary devices before any supervised examination.
Important Points to Remember
- The Qualification Round is free, but the Semi-Final costs EUR 12.
- Limited financial aid is available for eligible Semi-Finalists.
- The Qualification Round deadline is 1 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0.
- One solution file must be uploaded in an accepted format.
- The file must be under 10 MB.
- The same problems are given to all age groups.
- Older groups have higher qualifying thresholds.
- Personal information must be entered accurately for certificates.
- All entries are individual, even where limited Qualification Round discussion is allowed.
- Applicants should rely on the official website for any timetable changes.
Conclusion
The International Physics Competition 2026 offers an accessible way to test physics knowledge in an international setting without the cost and logistical burden of travelling overseas. Its three-round structure combines open-ended problem-solving, engagement with scientific research and supervised online assessments.
Participants can earn internationally verifiable certificates, compete for cash prizes and national recognition, and develop practical skills in scientific reasoning, analytical thinking and research comprehension. Anyone planning to enter should download the Qualification Round problem sheet immediately, prepare a complete and clearly presented solution, and submit well before the official deadline of 1 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC+0.
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