IMPA Launches Exchange Program for OBMEP Medalists in China
Public school students who won gold medals at the 20th edition are eligible to participate
IMPA (Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics) published on Wednesday (22) the call for applications for an international exchange program in China for national gold medalists from the 20th edition of OBMEP (Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad), held in 2025. There are 26 spots available for public school students from all regions of the country. Applications are now open and will remain so until July 31. Check out the announcement here.
The program, which will take place from November 30 to December 13, 2026, in Zhejiang Province, will include academic, scientific, and cultural activities with a packed schedule at Chinese educational and research institutions. All travel expenses will be covered by IMPA in partnership with the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education, including international airfare, lodging, meals, domestic travel within China, and international travel insurance.
IMPA will also cover the students’ travel expenses from their home cities to the international departure airport in Rio de Janeiro, as well as reimburse them for passport issuance fees and consular visa application fees.
Candidates who meet the following requirements may apply for the selection process:
- To win a gold medal at the national level in the 20th edition of OBMEP (2025).
- Be at least 16 years of age by November 28, 2026.
- To have been regularly enrolled throughout the 2025 school year in public schools.
- Be regularly enrolled in the Junior Scientific Initiation Program (PIC) or the OBMEP Mentors Program in 2026.
- Demonstrate satisfactory attendance at PIC or Mentoring Program activities.
- Be in good physical and mental health, capable of handling long-distance international travel, including frequent travel and a busy schedule of activities.
- Demonstrate personal autonomy, emotional maturity, and the ability to adapt to international contexts, as assessed through a group interview.
The selection process will consist of two stages. In the first stage, the information and documentation submitted will be reviewed. The second stage consists of an evaluation of the candidate’s history of participation in science competitions, the PIC, or the OBMEP Mentoring Program, as well as group and individual interviews.
The 26 openings will be distributed by region, ensuring the participation of students from across the country: North (5 openings), Northeast (7 openings), Midwest (4 openings), Southeast (6 openings), and South (4 openings). The process will also promote gender equity, with a preferential allocation of 50% of the spots for each gender, based on the applicant’s self-declaration. Click hereto apply.
The 20th edition of OBMEP brought together more than 18.5 million participants from 99.9% of Brazil’s municipalities. The country’s largest academic competition is open to students from the 6th grade of elementary school through the 3rd year of high school.
In addition to the exchange program for OBMEP medalists, IMPA Tech undergraduates and IMPA doctoral students are also participating in the Institute’s initiatives with China. The graduate student group departed on July 8 for China for a one-month academic and cultural experience. Undergraduate students, meanwhile, will travel in August for a six-month exchange program.
For IMPA Director-General Marcelo Viana, these initiatives represent a significant step forward in scientific cooperation between Brazil and China and in the training of young Brazilian talent. “China has established itself as one of the world’s leading scientific powers, and being part of this ecosystem is essential for IMPA. We want our students to have direct exposure to the most advanced technology and innovation, bringing this knowledge back to strengthen Brazilian science,” said Viana.
