Financial Aid 2026

The purpose of the IOAI Financial Aid Program is to promote broader global participation in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence.

The program provides travel support and/or a waived participation fee for one national team (up to four contestants) and one team leader from selected accredited IOAI countries/territories and approved IOAI GAITE countries/territories.

The selection of beneficiaries is carried out by a Financial Aid Committee appointed by the IOAI Board and is approved by the IOAI Board. The beneficiaries will be publicly announced.

For clarifications: financial.aid@ioai-official.org

Application Process

Complete application Form (online)

Application Form

Only applications from accredited organizations representatives will be accepted.

Aid application review criteria

The Financial Aid Committee evaluates all applications based on their expert knowledge and experience and a mix of criteria such as: EduSpace is used (knockoff criteria), financial need of the applicants, IOAI diversity, preparedness of the applicant’s team (how is the national round is organized, number of participants and etc.), future participation feasibility, motivation. 

Obligations of Sponsored Teams

  1. Participate fully in the IOAI (including ceremonies and cultural exchange).
  2. The participating countries undertake to provide the full names and passport details of their participants by no later than May 20, 2026. Failure to comply may lead to cancellation of the financial support allocated to the country.
  3. Submit a short post-event report (1–2 pages) on their experience and benefits including media material (photos/testimonials) via financial.aid@ioai-official.org
  4. Commit to organizing or joining national selection activities in an honest and transparent way.
  5. Use EduSpace for the 1st round or as an element of the 1st round of national selection
  6. If a team has already paid the registration fee but fails to attend the event, the fee will not be refunded or compensated, regardless of the reason for non-attendance.
  7. If a country or team is unable to attend the Olympiad after travel support or tickets have been issued, due to any reasons on the team’s side, that may lead to exclusion from future financial aid.

Timeline

  1. February – Open call for applications.
  2. WAVE 1
    • March 31, 2026 – Wave 1 Application deadline for accredited until Jan 31, 2026
    • April – Review and announce aided teams Wave 1. If there is money, the deadline will be extended for WAVE 2
  3. WAVE 2
    • April 30 – Application for accredited after Feb 1
    • May – Review and announce aided teams Wave 2 (till May 10th, 2026)
  4. May – All participant details must be collected and tickets must be booked at this stage. The final list of participants should be confirmed, and proof of visa approval and travel arrangements must be submitted.
  5. If money left after May 20, 2026 (some countries from the WL can get help based on the Board decision)
  6. August – IOAI 2026
  7. September – Post-event reports submission