The International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IM²C) is an international mathematical modeling competition for secondary school students. Teams apply mathematics to an open-ended applied problem where there may be multiple valid approaches and no single correct answer. IM²C is organized through a partnership between COMAP (the Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications) and NeoUnion ESC Organization, with regional organizers around the world.
How the challenge works:
Teams of up to four students work together on one applied problem over a consecutive five-day period. Once the competition period begins, each team chooses its own five-day window. During that time, students define and clarify the problem, develop and justify assumptions, build mathematical models, analyze data and results, evaluate the strengths and limitations of their approach, and communicate their findings in a written report. Teams may use any inanimate resources, including books, websites, software, and data sources, but all analysis and problem-solving must be completed by the student team members. The 2026 problem statement (PDF) required each team to send its solution as a typed PDF submission in English, including a one-page summary sheet, a table of contents, a letter of up to two pages, and a complete solution of up to 20 pages.
Recent problems include "Protecting Wildlife at Scale" (2026), "Global Sports League" (2025), "Picking the Perfect Pet" (2024), and "Using Land: A Valuable Resource" (2023).
How to enter:
IM²C runs through participating countries and regions, and each one may select up to two teams for the international competition. Students enter through their local organizer, listed on the Countries & Regions page. In the United States, the Countries & Regions page lists COMAP's High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM) and Middle Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MidMCM) as the organizer route. Organizers are listed for countries and regions including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, and Mexico.
Judging and awards:
An international panel of judges evaluates submissions on the quality of the modeling process, the effectiveness of the analysis, the reasonableness of assumptions, and the clarity of communication. Teams receive one of four levels of recognition: Outstanding, Meritorious, Honorable Mention, or Successful Participant. According to The Challenge page, Outstanding teams may have their solution papers or abstracts published and are recognized at the IM²C International Summit and Awards Ceremony.
International Summit:
Each year IM²C ends with an International Summit and Awards Ceremony, where outstanding teams present their models, and Outstanding and Meritorious teams are recognized. The IM²C timeline lists the inaugural in-person IM²C Summit in Hong Kong in 2025 and the second annual Summit in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2026. According to the 2026 results page, twenty-seven students from nine teams traveled to Boston and Cambridge for the 2026 Summit, held August 5 to 9, 2026, with the formal Summit on August 8 at the Harvard University Science Center.
History:
IM²C was founded in 2014, and its first competition in 2015 had 17 teams from 10 countries and regions. The IM²C timeline lists 2025 as the largest participation year to date, with 69 teams from 39 countries and regions. The 2026 results page reports 68 finalist teams from 37 countries and regions in 2026, working during a five-day period between February and April 2026.
Official sources: