TLDR: Horizon Labs, Inc. is piloting the International Research and Programming Olympiad (IRPO) in the United States, focusing on Physics this year. The competition is free and combines research papers with programming challenges. Participants progress through Open, Invitational, and Grand Finals rounds, where finalists work in teams on a month-long research project. You can join as a contestant or volunteer. Links: [contestant](https://forms.gle/S1jL8f5kLUe6squx7) or [volunteer](https://form.jotform.com/243425701134043). Horizon Labs, Inc. is conducting a pilot of the International Research and Programming Olympiad, and we would like **you** to join the pilot as either a contestant or as a volunteer.
Every year, the olympiad centers around a set scientific theme and consists of research papers and applying your programming knowledge in the event. This year's theme is Physics, and the olympiad consists of a series of Open, Invitational, and Grand Finals events, where the top 20% of each round go to the next one, leading to the culmination at the Grand Finals, where one forms a team with other contestants to conduct a mini research project over the course of a month. Compared to the IRO, participating in the olympiad is __**completely free**__ as we are primarily funded by donations and allow you to apply your full knowledge in both research, science, and programming. However, for the pilot, you need to reside in the United States.