Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The International Machine Learning Competition (IMLC) 2026 is an annual competition for students interested in machine learning. The Qualification Round is the entry stage where participants download problem sets, solve them independently, and submit their solutions online. The competition is open to students worldwide, including those from Zimbabwe and the SADC region.
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: Sunday, 13 December 2026, 23:59 UTC+0
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Participants must complete and submit their solutions before this deadline. Late submissions are not accepted.
Eligibility
The competition is open to students from all countries. Key eligibility factors include:
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- Age-based scoring: Your date of birth determines your age group, and different age groups require different scores to qualify for the next round. The competition verifies the age of all winners.
- Current grade/year of study: You must select your grade or year of study as of the submission deadline (13 December 2026). Options range from 7th grade or below through 3rd year college/university or higher, including gap year students.
- Academic honesty: You may use books, the internet, and AI tools for assistance, but you must solve the problems yourself. Full AI-generated solutions are not permitted.
How to Apply
The application process requires completing an online submission form with the following steps:
- Download the Qualification Round 2026 Problems: Access the PDF problem set from the official website.
- Complete the submission form: Provide your full name (forename and surname, not in ALL CAPS), date of birth, country, city, email address, and create a password of at least eight characters.
- Enter school/university details: Select or type your full official school or university name. If your institution is not listed, you can enter it manually.
- Select your current grade or year of study: Choose the option that applies to you as of 13 December 2026.
- Upload your solution: Submit one single file (PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG) containing your solutions. The file can be typed digitally or a clear picture of handwritten notes. Maximum file size is 10 MB.
- Review and submit: Confirm your information and agree to the Rules and Data Policy of IMLC 2026.
Document Requirements
Prepare the following for your submission:
- Solution file: One PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG file (max 10 MB) containing your complete solutions to the Qualification Round problems.
- File conversion tools: If you have multiple images, combine them into one PDF using ImgToPdf. If you used Microsoft Word, convert to PDF using PDF-Convert. If your file exceeds 10 MB, compress it using PDF-Compress.
- Valid email address: All communications including results will be sent to this address. Check your spam folder.
What Happens After Qualification
Successful qualifiers from the Qualification Round advance to later stages of the competition. Important notes about subsequent rounds:
- Later rounds are supervised, tool-free exams: The Pre-Final Round and Final Round take place under supervised conditions without access to books, internet, or AI tools.
- Pre-Final Round registration is self-funded: Qualified participants must cover the Pre-Final Round registration costs themselves to register and participate.
- Results and certificates: You can log into your participant account using your email and password to check results and download certificates.
Language and Communication
The original language of the competition is English. However, you can select a preferred language for email communications from the following options: German, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, or Turkish. Note that these are automatic translations and you can change your selection at any time through your participant account.
Optional Information
The submission form includes optional fields that help the organizers improve the competition:
- IMLC Ambassador: Select if you had personal contact with an ambassador (Julia Giordano Bianchi, Yuvraj Dass, or Zain Ali Khan). Your ambassador will have access to your personal details, email, results, and certificates.
- How you heard about IMLC: School teacher, email, ambassador, social media, student network, opportunity website, Google search, or other.
- Teacher/school email: If you become a winner, your school or university will be informed of your achievement.
Tips for Zimbabwe and SADC Applicants
Students from Zimbabwe and the SADC region should note:
- Ensure your date of birth is entered correctly, as age verification is conducted for all winners.
- Check your email regularly, including spam folders, for competition updates.
- Start working on problems early to allow time for questions and technical troubleshooting.
- Consider the time zone difference: the deadline is 23:59 UTC+0, which is 01:59 on 14 December 2026 in Zimbabwe (UTC+2).
- Prepare your solution file in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues with file size or format.
Official scholarship page: https://imlco.org/en/submission
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships