Grade Eligibility
Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Geographic Eligibility
US, International
Discipline
Mathematical modeling, Mathematics, Data Analysis, Problem Solving
Judging Format
Jurors, Criteria based: Papers are read by 2 to 5 judges in a Triage stage, and top papers move to a Contention round with a smaller panel of experienced judges who extensively read and discuss the remaining papers, looking for insights, solutions, and clear explanations
Entries
3500 (2024 edition)
Percent Awarded
4.80%
Registration Cost
Entry
Free
Participation
Free
Important Dates
February 20, 2026
The MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3) is a free, team-based competition open to US, US territory, and UK (England/Wales) high school students. Teams must consist of 3 to 5 students and one coach. Participants are tasked with solving a real-world problem using mathematical modeling and data analysis over a single weekend. All participants under 18 require parental consent. Registration for the 2025 competition closes on February 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. The total scholarship awards exceed $100,000, with 37 team scholarships available, including a $20,000 champion award. Judging involves a Triage stage followed by a Contention round, focusing on insights, robust solutions, and clear explanations. Finalist teams are invited to an expense-paid trip to New York City for the final validation phase.
Champion: $20,000 team award
Runner Up: $15,000 team award
Third Place: $10,000 team award
Finalist: $5,000 team award
Semi-finalist: six team awards of $1,500
Honorable Mention: 19 team awards of $1,000
Certificates for all participants
SPARK Winner: $3,000 team scholarship
SPARK Runner-Up: $2,000 team scholarship
SPARK Third Place: $1,000 team scholarship
MATLAB Technical Computing Winner: $3,000 team award
MATLAB Technical Computing Runner Up: $2,000 team award
MATLAB Technical Computing Third Place: $1,000 team award
Outstanding Communication of Results Award: an additional $500 team scholarship award
Finalist teams are invited to an expense paid trip to New York City.
Remove a program before adding more
Added to Compare
Removed from Compare
Added to Saved Programs
Removed from Saved Programs
© 2026 BestSummerPrograms
