Chemistry is the central science that bridges physics, biology, and materials science, exploring the composition, structure, and transformations of matter. From understanding the molecular basis of life to developing new materials and medicines, chemistry touches every aspect of our daily lives. The International Chemistry Competition embraces this spirit of discovery and gives students the opportunity to challenge their chemistry knowledge and to learn more about this fascinating subject beyond the typical school curriculum.

Vision, Mission, and Values

The International Chemistry Competition aims to be accessible to all students from all countries regardless of their background, school, or institution. For that, the International Chemistry Competition uses today's technologies and the global connection through the internet to make this competition possible: All you need is a pen, paper, and an internet connection to participate!

Chemistry is fundamental to solving the greatest challenges of our time. Our society needs capable scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers who can tackle complex issues such as developing sustainable energy solutions, creating new pharmaceuticals, designing advanced materials, and addressing environmental concerns. By engaging with chemistry through competitions and educational programs, students can discover their passion for understanding the molecular world around them. We aim to provide a sophisticated educational program that inspires students to explore chemistry deeply and enables students, parents, and teachers to get involved in nurturing the next generation of innovators and researchers.

What is unique about IChC?

Although the competition format is integral to the IChC, its primary goal is to encourage students to engage with chemistry and spark further interest in this and related scientific fields. As a result, IChC serves as a learning experience, motivating students and allowing them to learn through experimental problem-solving formats. Noteworthy aspects of the IChC program include the following:

• Internationality:
  The International Chemistry Competition is a global competition from the first round onward. All participants solve the same problems in every round: This enables a fair evaluation and allows for international exchange among participants, which is usually only available to a few national ambassadors participating in international rounds.


• Digital Accessibility:
  The competition uses the possibilities of the modern internet to give all students the opportunity to participate regardless of nation, region or school affiliation. Although having a teacher's support is beneficial, participating as an individual is always possible from anywhere around the world.


• Experimental Formats:
  Part of the IChC experience are problem formats, which are uncommon for traditional competitions and aim for a distinctive learning experience. This includes problems that focus on the extension of school-typical formats through thought-provoking modifications or types of problems, which require a deeper dive into the research surrounding a topic.


• Real-World Research:
  Getting students in touch with real-world examples of scientific research is an essential feature. The Semi-Final Round usually includes recently published research articles as part of the problem format, which is unique to IChC: For many participants, this is the first time learning about actual research, and we offer additional support to expand this learning experience.


• Adjusted Difficulty:
  The problems are designed to appeal to both science enthusiasts as well as students who are just starting to find interest in science beyond the school curriculum. To ensure that everyone has a positive experience, the level of difficulty is adjusted to include more approachable problems similar to those typically seen in school, as well as more challenging problems that incorporate unusual formats.


• Online Tools for Teachers:
  We provide teachers and schools with supplementary resources and support them throughout each edition. Teachers have access to a dedicated interface for managing the submissions of their students, tracking their results & certificates and supervising the Final Round Exam.


• Local Groups & Ambassadors:
  As IChC goes far beyond the annual competition, we strongly encourage and support the formation of local student groups related to chemistry & IChC around the world, including meetups and other events. The IChC Ambassador Program allows motivated students and mentors to encourage other youths to engage with chemistry and to establish a local community that brings together students over science.


• Supportive Alumni Network:
  Our alumni network encourages international exchange, including the distribution of various relevant opportunities like scholarships or sponsored events, to support each participant's academic career.

How does IChC compare to other science competitions? (e.g., IChO)

Comparing the International Chemistry Competition to other science competitions can be misleading: IChC does not intend to be an alternative to established competitions (e.g., International Chemistry Olympiad) or its national variations and actively encourages students to take part in such opportunities.

Instead, IChC serves as a supplementary program designed to engage a wide range of students, particularly those just beginning to develop an interest in chemistry and related scientific subjects. It focuses on accessibility, making it a platform for students of all skill levels to explore and grow their understanding of chemical phenomena and scientific reasoning.

Although the annual competition is the central element, IChC is not primarily structured around competitiveness but instead prioritizes the learning experience. Through experimental problem formats and real-world research topics, the competition introduces students to thought-provoking challenges that extend beyond standard school curricula and differ from traditional competition content. This approach appeals to students with varying levels of expertise, offering both approachable problems and more advanced tasks that inspire curiosity and creativity.

Moreover, IChC empowers students by providing an independent platform that does not rely on their school or country. It connects participants through a global network, encouraging international collaboration and exchange. With a strong alumni community and supportive resources for teachers and local groups, IChC goes beyond being just a competition.

History, Organization, and Funding

The International Chemistry Competition is coordinated by Edu.Harbour and takes place annually on an international level. The competition was organized in 2025 for the first time. The organizing team is constantly evolving, with most team members being based in Germany. The idea formed after the success of the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition, to which the International Chemistry Competition has close relations, with the aim of establishing a similar online competition addressing the fascinating world of chemistry.

The full organizing team of IChC 2026 can be found on this page: Organizing Team of 2026

Organizing such an international competition involves significant costs, including human resources, technical infrastructure, materials, and more. As an independent and globally accessible program, IChC is grateful to its sponsors for covering some of these expenses. The remaining costs are funded through participant contributions, such as the registration costs for the Semi-Final Round (Flyer) .

As a growing competition, IChC is continuously evolving and improving each year to enhance the experience for participants and expand its impact worldwide!