WorldQuant BRAIN 2026 International Quant Championship (IQC) | Global Finals in Singapore

Ready to become the next champion in Quantitative Finance? 🏆

Stage 1 officially kicks off on March 17! 🚀

Explore the world of quantitative research and join the 2026 International Quant Championship (IQC) hosted by WorldQuant BRAIN. This is our flagship global competition, offering you the exclusive chance to represent Malaysia at the Global Finals in Singapore this September.

🗓️ Registration Period: Now – May 13, 2026 

🎓 Eligibility: Open to all individuals aged 18 and above.

• Form teams of 1 to 4 members from the same university.
• (Non-students are welcome to participate, provided all team members represent the same university. If you have attended multiple universities, you may choose one to represent.)

👉 Register via the Official IQC Portal (Includes training courses & webinars)

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📝 How to Join in 4 Simple Steps

• Step 1: Register – Sign up on the BRAIN platform and join the 2026 IQC.
• Step 2: Team Up – Find 1–3 friends from your university to join your squad.
• Step 3: Train – Access the "Learn" page on BRAIN for exclusive tutorials and training sessions.
• Step 4: Compete – Build and submit Alphas using market data to climb the leaderboard!

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What is the International Quant Championship (IQC)? 📊

The IQC is a team-based, three-stage global competition running from March to September 2026. Participants build Alphas* on the WorldQuant BRAIN online simulation platform using historical market data and predefined operators to simulate stock positions and accumulate points.

*WorldQuant defines Alphas as mathematical models that seek to predict future price movements of various financial assets.

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🏆 Competition Stages

1. Stage 1: Qualifiers (Mar 17 – May 18, 2026)
   Build Alphas online on the BRAIN platform with your team (1–4 members). All members must be from the same university.
2. Stage 2: National/Regional Finals (May 26 – Mid-July, 2026)
   Qualifying teams will compete in a virtual round and a final presentation (virtual or in-person) to determine who will represent Malaysia at the Global Finals.
3. Stage 3: Global Finals in Singapore (September 2026)
   The top winning teams from each region will be invited to an in-person live final in Singapore to crown the overall IQC Champions.

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💰 Prizes & Opportunities

Stage 2: National Finals

• 1st Place: USD $3,000
• 2nd Place: USD $2,000
• 3rd Place: USD $1,000

Stage 3: Global Finals

• 1st Place: USD $20,000
• 2nd Place: USD $12,000
• 3rd Place: USD $8,000

🌟 Career Impact: Top performers may be considered for Research Consultant roles, or full-time positions at WorldQuant. Cash prizes will be distributed equally among eligible team members.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can participate?

Any individual aged 18+ can join. However, the following are ineligible:

• Current or former BRAIN/VRC/Websim consultants.
• Students or alumni of WorldQuant University.
• Previous winners of Global Alphathon 2022 or past IQCs.
• Current or former employees/contractors of WorldQuant, LLC or its affiliates.

Is there a registration fee?

No. It is completely free to register an account and participate in the IQC.

How is the competition scored?

Scores are determined by the quality and quantity of eligible Alphas submitted. As a team-based competition, your total score is the sum of all individual members' scores.

Can I compete alone?

Yes, you can compete as a "team of one." However, larger teams often have an advantage in terms of the volume and diversity of Alphas submitted.

How do I advance?

The highest-scoring teams in each round advance. Usually, only the top 1 or 2 teams from Malaysia will qualify for the Global Finals in Singapore.

How do I learn about Quant Finance?

The BRAIN platform provides comprehensive resources, including online courses, video tutorials, documentation, and a community forum to help you master the craft.

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🚀 Ready to launch your career in Quant Finance?
👉 Sign Up for IQC 2026 Today!