What we do

Talent development

Study Groups

The program started as a pilot for 9th and 10th grade students, with a unified curriculum, continuous mentoring, and teacher support. Its aim is to build a solid foundation and offer motivated students the opportunity to progress toward competitions and advanced preparation. Based on the pilot's experiences, we would like to gradually expand the study group program to achieve the widest possible national coverage.

Olympiad School

The Olympiad School supports preparation for international competitions in mathematics, physics, and computer science. We provide targeted training sessions and intensive camps for the most talented students, while also helping the broader pool of competitors to develop step by step.

Admission is based on results achieved in existing national competitions and selection rounds. Detailed subject-specific criteria can be found below.

Mathematics - IMO and similar competitions

What competitions are involved?
Every year, Hungary participates in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and other prestigious international competitions (e.g., MEMO, RMM, EGMO).

How are team members selected?
Selection for the IMO and MEMO teams is based on a combination of results, including national Olympiad selection rounds, the Kürschák Competition, and the KöMaL A and B point competitions.

How do we prepare?
Preparation is supported through centralized Olympiad training sessions and take-home practice tests. Starting in autumn 2025, the Foundation will also support and organize multi-day Olympiad School camps. These invitation-based camps will run in two tracks (junior and senior) and will focus on intensive problem-solving and in-depth thematic study.

Further information:
Detailed rules, calendar, tasks: https://olimpiak.bolyai.hu/
Description of EGMO preparation: https://olimpiak.bolyai.hu/olimpiak/hu/node/7

Physics - IPhO and EuPhO

What kind of competitions are these?
Every year, Hungarian students compete in the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) and the European Physics Olympiad (EuPhO).

How does someone get into the team?
Selection is based on domestic competition results and the Kunfalvi Rezső Olympic Selection Competition held at BME.

How do we prepare?
Preparation is aided by physics camps and regular training sessions supported or organized by the Foundation. The program is typically divided into two age groups (junior/advanced): juniors deepen their high school knowledge with a strong emphasis on independent problem solving; advanced students prepare specifically for the types of tasks encountered in international rounds.

Preparation is also supported by weekly student Olympic clubs in several cities.

Further information
Physics Olympiad preparation: https://ipho.physics.bme.hu/

Computer science

We also support preparation for international computer science competitions (the exact program description, selection procedure, and related events will be posted soon).

Professional training

Teacher support and mentorship

We provide professional development opportunities and continuous expert mentoring for teachers to support the quality of school-based study groups. Participating schools also receive access to educational materials and methodological support.

Competition support

Subject-based academic competitions are widely recognized tools of STEM talent development (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The Foundation supports traditional, in-person, written-format competitions that are accessible nationwide and typically free of charge (such as the Arany Dániel and Mikola competitions).

Our aim is to relieve organizers of financial and administrative burdens so they can focus on professional and educational excellence rather than fundraising.

Supported competitions:

Mathematics: László Kalmár Mathematics Competition, Dániel Arany Student Competition, József Kürschák Mathematics Competition
Physics: József Öveges Carpathian Basin Physics Competition, Sándor Mikola Physics Competition, National Szilárd Leó Physics Competition
Computer Science: László Zsakó International Programming Competition, Mihály Kovács Graphic Programming Competition, Tihamér Nemes Application Competition

Journals and point-based competitions

National Journal: KöMaL (Secondary School Mathematics and Physics Journal)

Founded over 130 years ago, KöMaL is a professional journal that operates a nationwide point-based competition system. The best student solutions are published under the names of students aged 14 to 18.

The journal reports on national and international competitions and also features problem sets, articles of interest, and book reviews.

Go to the KöMaL website: https://www.komal.hu/home.h.shtml

International journal (MATPHYN - Mathematics, Physics, Informatics)

MATPHYN is the English-language international scientific journal of the MATFIN Foundation. Building on the 131-year tradition of KöMaL, the journal aims for global reach and welcomes international problems and articles.

Through its worldwide point-based competition system, MATPHYN creates continuous opportunities for talented Hungarian students to engage in international-level challenges alongside peers from around the world.