ISM
ISM - International Science Movement
Premier team science olympiad in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All competition stages are held in English.
ISM — International Interdisciplinary Olympiad in Laboratory Research and Case-based Science
Premier team science olympiad in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. All competition stages are held in English.
The International Science Movement (ISM) brings together high school students in Biology, Chemistry and Physics to solve complex scientific problems in laboratory and case settings. All competition stages are conducted in English.
Task Format
Combining remote scientific research case analysis with hands-on laboratory experimentation and synchronous problem solving.
Olympiad Goals
Developing practical experimental skills, analytical rigor, evidence-based reasoning, and academic debate capabilities.
Disciplines
Biology, Chemistry and Physics, drawing on mathematics, statistics, materials science and engineering analysis.
Team Structure
4 core student members (Required), 1 optional 5th member, and 1 mandatory Team Supervisor (Teacher/Mentor).
Tournament Format & Guidelines
Comprehensive structure of the two stages of the ISM Olympiad
Online Selection Round
Online selection: research case (70%) and two proctored problem rounds (30%). The top 24 teams advance to the on-site final.
On-Site Final Round
Qualification Round for 24 teams (26-28 October) and Final Research Round for 8 teams (29-30 October). Host city and campus to be announced.
Academic Integrity & Generative AI Policy (Article 8)
The use of generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, etc.) for solving tasks or calculations is strictly PROHIBITED across all stages, unless explicitly permitted in problem statements.
ISM 2025–2026 Research Case
The research case is published on 11 October 2026. Below is an overview of the case format.
ISM 2025–2026 Research Case
Complex interdisciplinary task combining physical chemistry, molecular biology, materials science, mathematics, and computational modeling.
Submission Guidelines & Formatting:
- Full research report in PDF format (max 15 pages)
- Standard academic citation formatting (APA/IEEE/GOST)
- Appendix containing raw calculations and data processing scripts
Download ISM Regulations & Guidelines (3 Languages)
Official tournament documents are available in PDF format
Tournament Schedule
Official program of the on-site final round. Host city to be announced.
Accommodation
| Time | Event / Activity | Venue |
|---|---|---|
All day | Check-in and accommodation of teams | TBA |
Tournament Tiers & Official Medals
Official recognition structure for the top-performing teams of the ISM Olympiad.
| Tier / Category | Teams Count | Diploma & Medals | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix | 1 Team | Grand Prix Trophy & Absolute Winner Cup | TBD (To Be Announced) |
| Gold Award (I Degree) | 1 Team | Diploma I Degree + Gold Medals | TBD (To Be Announced) |
| Silver Awards (II Degree) | 3 Teams | Diplomas II Degree + Silver Medals | TBD (To Be Announced) |
| Bronze Awards (III Degree) | 3 Teams | Diplomas III Degree + Bronze Medals | TBD (To Be Announced) |
| Stage II Finalists | All Finalist Teams | Official ISM Finalist Certificates | TBD (To Be Announced) |
Supported by leading educational and scientific organizations
Ready to Test Your Scientific Potential?
Assemble a team of 4-5 high school students and represent your school at the international stage of ISM.