International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) – Afghanistan National Selection 2027
Job Description
Opportunity Description
Want to represent Afghanistan on the world stage in artificial intelligence? The International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) Afghanistan National Selection 2027 marks the country’s first-ever national process for choosing students for Afghanistan’s national AI team. BANFES Limited, the only organization that IOAI officially accredits to represent Afghanistan, runs the competition. It welcomes school-age students living and studying inside Afghanistan, and it costs nothing to take part at any stage. Four students will earn a place on the national team, and two more will join as reserves. Then, the winning team goes on to compete at IOAI 2027, which AI Singapore and Nanyang Technological University jointly host in Singapore from 4 to 10 July 2027. Meanwhile, registration for the 2026–2027 selection cycle opens on 5 September 2026, so interested students should mark their calendars now.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Provided by | BANFES (Blockchain and AI Non-Formal Education System), sole IOAI-accredited organization for Afghanistan |
| Host institution | International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), jointly hosted for 2027 by AI Singapore (AISG) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore |
| Location | National selection: online (Round 1) and provincial centers across Afghanistan (Round 2); single center for Round 3; training camp in Kabul; international final in Singapore |
| Admission Deadlines | Registration: 5 September – 1 October 2026 |
| Scholarship Number | 4 national team members plus 2 reserves |
| Gender | All genders |
| Type | Free national academic competition and team-selection process |
International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) Benefits
- No fee for registration, exams, preparation courses, or the training camp at any stage of the national selection.
- Free weekly mock exams offered ahead of Round 1.
- Free preparation courses offered ahead of Round 2.
- Travel to and from the Round 3 exam center is paid for every shortlisted student, including the return journey for students who are not chosen for the final team.
- The four team members and two reserves receive a fully covered training camp in Kabul: accommodation, living costs, and all classes are paid for by BANFES.
- A confirmed place at IOAI 2027 in Singapore (4–10 July 2027) for the national team.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be 20 years old or younger on 1 July 2027.
- Applicants must enroll full-time in primary or secondary education on or after 1 December 2026.
- Additionally, home-schooled and non-formally educated students also qualify, as long as they have not yet earned a high-school diploma and are working toward one.
- The applicant must live in Afghanistan and receive their education inside the country.
- The competition welcomes students of every gender, ethnicity, religion, province, and economic background.
- Furthermore, registering does not require a school nomination.
- Also, applicants do not need previous Olympiad experience.
- Students who experienced interrupted schooling may still register.
How to Apply?
- Register online through the official BANFES IOAI Afghanistan page between 5 September and 1 October 2026. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes.
- After registering, each student receives a unique six-character student code by email, along with the Round 1 answer sheet.
- Round 1 (mathematics, statistics, and probability) takes place on 15 October 2026. It is an online multiple-choice exam, open within a four-hour window; the answer sheet can be completed and photographed on a phone, so no printer is needed.
- For questions about eligibility or registration, contact BANFES through the details listed on the official page below.
- For more information, visit their official website
Apply Now
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