MCM/ICM

Key Facts

• COMAP contests for secondary and undergraduate students, with teams of 1–3 from the same institution and an advisor
• Choose one of Problems A–F spanning continuous, discrete, data, networks, sustainability and policy
• Complete an English paper of no more than 25 pages, including the summary sheet, in approximately 96 hours
• Integrated assessment of modelling, data, research, writing and teamwork

MCM and ICM Problem Areas

• MCM Problem A: continuous models; Problem B: discrete models; Problem C: data insights
• ICM Problem D: operations research and network science; Problem E: sustainability; Problem F: policy
• The paper should clearly present a summary, problem restatement, assumptions, model, solution, validation, conclusions and references

Contest Process

• Registration generally runs from December to early February. The team leader registers the team, selects the contest category and pays the fee through the COMAP website
• Problems are usually released at 5:00 PM US Eastern Time on Thursday (6:00 AM Friday in Beijing), after which the team selects a problem and begins its research and writing
• After approximately 96 hours, teams must submit the paper PDF and required contest forms as instructed; late submissions are not accepted
• Results are usually released in batches in late April, followed by publication of the Outstanding papers for each problem

2027 Contest Schedule (US Eastern Time)

• Registration deadline: before 3:00 PM on 28 January 2027
• Contest starts: 5:00 PM on 28 January 2027
• Contest ends: 8:00 PM on 1 February 2027
• Solution report deadline: 9:00 PM on 1 February 2027

Awards

• Outstanding Winner: approximately the top 0.2%
• Finalist: approximately the top 2%; papers advance to the final round of Outstanding Winner judging
• Meritorious Winner: approximately the top 7%
• Honorable Mention: approximately the top 30%
• Successful Participant: all other teams that make a valid submission
• SIAM, INFORMS, MAA and other professional societies present special awards selected from Outstanding papers
• These percentages are approximate figures from recent years; refer to COMAP's announcements for the current contest

Preparation Tips

• Plan the 96 hours carefully: select and analyse the problem on day one, build the model and obtain preliminary results on day two, refine and validate the model on day three, and focus on writing and formatting on day four
• Study past problems before the contest and identify one or two priority areas among continuous, discrete, data, operations research, sustainability and policy topics
• The summary sheet has a major influence on judging and award levels. Refine it separately after completing the paper, clearly summarising the problem, methods, results and conclusions
• Strictly observe the 25-page limit and citation rules; exceeding the limit or plagiarism may result in a lower award designation or disqualification

Participation Info

Suitable Grades

Secondary and undergraduate students; teams of 1–3 from the same institution with an advisor

Contest Time

28 January–1 February 2027 (US Eastern Time)

Format

Choose one of Problems A–F and complete an English paper of no more than 25 pages, including the summary sheet, within approximately 96 hours