International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC)
$125 Cash Prize
International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) is a competition by Edu.Harbour GbR for students in Class 8–12, open to students across India. Registration closes 17 Apr 2026.
Mode
Online
Eligibility
Class 8–12
Fee
€11
Duration
Multi-round competition held over several months.
Format
Individual
Time needed
Varies by round; requires time for problem-solving and a final online exam.
Key Dates
- Registration opens
- 1 Mar 2026
- Registration closes
- 17 Apr 2026
- Competition
- 4 May 2026 – 6 Jul 2026
Online · Online
About This Opportunity
The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) is a prestigious online science contest that invites students from all countries to test their skills in astronomy and astrophysics. It provides a unique platform for participants to tackle complex problems that extend beyond the standard school curriculum, fostering critical thinking and advanced problem-solving abilities.
This competition is open to all high school and university students, with participation divided into three distinct categories: Junior (under 16 years), Youth (under 19 years), and Senior (19 years and older). The fully online format ensures accessibility for any student with an internet connection, allowing them to compete for cash prizes, telescopes, and prestigious international awards from home.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 8–12
- Age Range
- 13 - 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Open to all current high school and university students. Participants are categorized into three groups: Junior (under 16 years), Youth (under 19 years), and Senior (19 years or older).
Prerequisites
- Interest in astronomy, astrophysics, and physics.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Access to a stable internet connection for online submission and exams.
- Fluency in English is beneficial as some problems may require reading research materials.
Open to all high school and university students globally. Participants are grouped by age: Junior (under 16), Youth (under 19), and Senior (19+). No geographical restrictions apply as it is an online competition.
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
The competition covers a wide range of topics in astronomy and astrophysics. The problems require knowledge of celestial mechanics, including Newton's Laws of Gravitation and Kepler's Laws. Key areas include stellar properties, cosmology, solar system physics, and coordinate systems. The pre-final round also introduces problems based on reading and understanding scientific research papers, offering exposure to current developments in the field.
Rewards & Recognition
Award
$125
Top performers in each category receive cash prizes. The highest cash awards are $125 for the 1st prize in the Junior category.
Prizes
Telescope & Medals
First prize winners in the Youth and Senior categories receive a telescope. All finalists receive Gold, Silver, or Bronze honors.
Certificate
Participation & Honor Certificates
All participants receive an official certificate of participation. Finalists are awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze honor certificates, and top participants from each country receive a National Award certificate.
Recognition
International Recognition
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- Problems in the pre-final round require reading and analyzing scientific research papers.
- Offers national awards to recognize the top participants from each country.
- Provides an opportunity to win a telescope signed by Nobel laureates and astronauts.
Exam format
- Total marks
- 20
- Duration
- 20 minutes
- Format
- Multiple-Choice Questions
- Language
- English
Rounds & format
The competition has three stages. The Qualification Round consists of five astronomy problems. The Pre-Final Round includes six more challenging problems, some requiring analysis of research papers. The Final Round is a 60-minute online exam with 20 multiple-choice questions, with 60 seconds per question.
How entries are judged
Evaluation is based on the number of correctly solved problems in the initial rounds. Final winners are determined by the highest scores on the multiple-choice exam. In case of a tie, results from previous rounds are considered.
Selection process
Qualification for the Pre-Final Round is based on achieving a minimum score in the Qualification Round, which varies by age category (15 points for Junior, 17 for Youth, 20 for Senior). Advancement to the Final Round is based on performance in the Pre-Final Round.
How to apply
- 1Begin with the free Qualification Round by solving five astronomy problems and submitting solutions online by the deadline.
- 2Successful participants advance to the Pre-Final Round, which requires registration and a fee to solve more challenging problems.
- 3Top performers from the Pre-Final Round qualify for the Final Round, a supervised online multiple-choice exam.
Fees & financial support
Fee details
The initial Qualification Round is free to enter. Participants who qualify for the Pre-Final Round are required to pay a registration fee of 11 EUR.
Financial support
Financial aid is available to assist socio-economically disadvantaged participants with the registration fee for the Pre-Final Round.
Refund policy
Fee information is related to the Pre-Final round registration and policies are managed by the provider.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC)?
The registration deadline is 17 Apr 2026.
Is International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC) free?
€11 registration
Who can participate in International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC)?
Students in Class 8–12. children aged 13-18.
What will my child gain from International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC)?
Win cash prizes up to $125 USD.. Receive prestigious Gold, Silver, or Bronze honor certificates.. Earn a National Award as one of the top participants from your country.. All participants receive an official certificate of participation.. Opportunity to win a telescope signed by Nobel laureates and astronauts.. Develop advanced problem-solving skills in astronomy and astrophysics.. Gain experience with real-world scientific research papers..
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