IMPA Tech reserves up to 80% of places for Olympic medalists
The 2026 selection process is open until December 23rd
Science Olympiads have become a promising gateway to higher education in Brazil. Report published on Monday (17) in Folha de S. Paulo, “USP, Unicamp and Unesp add more than 800 vacancies for olympiad access”, points out that the three main universities in São Paulo have adopted this form of admission. In this scenario of expansion of this type of access, the IMPA Tech stands out as one of the most structured and comprehensive models in the country. IMPA’s free undergraduate program reserves up to 80% of its places for medal winners from five of the main national scientific competitions – one of the most robust policies among institutions that value talents revealed in knowledge olympiads.
The strategy, which has been gaining momentum among major Brazilian universities, seeks to recognize young talent revealed while still in high school and attract students with strong analytical skills, logical reasoning and experience in solving complex problems – characteristics directly aligned with the profile of the bachelor’s degree in Mathematics of Technology and Innovation.
“IMPA Tech is our response to the challenge of training highly qualified professionals for the technology and innovation market, capable of using the cutting-edge tools of mathematics to solve problems in Brazil today,” explains Marcelo Viana, director general of IMPA.
Applications for IMPA Tech’s 2026 selection process are open until 12 noon on December 23. Up to 100 places will be offered to students from all over Brazil, 80% of which will go to medal winners from the following competitions:
- OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools)
Level 3 – national award - OBM (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad)
Level 3 - OBFEP (Brazilian Public School Physics Olympiad)
Levels B and/or C National - OBQ (Brazilian Chemistry Olympiad)
Modalities A and/or B - OBI (Brazilian Computer Olympics)
Programming mode levels 1 and/or 2, High School only
The other 20% of the vacancies are filled by the students with the best performance in the Enem math test. The selection process also includes group dynamics and individual online interviews. Access the public notice here.
With an interdisciplinary curriculum and emphases in Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science and Physics, IMPA Tech offers students benefits such as student accommodation, food and financial assistance, as well as airfare for successful candidates who live outside Rio. Located in Porto Maravalley, a technology hub run by Rio de Janeiro City Hall, the undergraduate program coexists with an ecosystem of startups and technology companies, reinforcing the students’ immersion in innovation.
