Chemistry Grand Prix¶
化学グランプリ
Official Websites¶
Logo¶
Overview¶
The Chemistry Grand Prix (化学グランプリ) is Japan's premier national chemistry competition for high-school students, jointly organized by the Chemical Society of Japan and the Dream Chemistry 21 Committee. The first national competition was held in 1998, with the modern annual series running since 1999. It serves as both a standalone competition and the first stage of Japan's IChO selection pathway.
Competition Format¶
Stage 1 — First Selection (一次選考)¶
- A nationwide mark-sheet examination held on Marine Day (mid-July)
- 3 hours, centered on inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry
- Participation: Approximately 2,500 students nationwide
- Advancement: Approximately 80 students progress — the leading student from each of seven regional blocks, followed by the highest remaining scores nationwide
Stage 2 — Second Selection (二次選考)¶
- A three-day session held in August
- Includes an experimental examination (4 hours of lab work, data collection, analysis, and report writing) plus a written component
Awards¶
- Grand Prize (大賞): 5 students
- Gold Prize (金賞): approximately 15 students
- Silver Prize (銀賞): approximately 20 students
- Bronze Prize (銅賞): approximately 40 students
- Special, sponsor, and regional awards may also be presented
IChO Selection Pathway¶
The Chemistry Grand Prix is the first stage of Japan's IChO selection. Approximately 20 high-performing eligible students are recommended as IChO representative candidates, drawn from younger students who will still meet the school-year requirements for the following international competition. Candidates then take a written examination in January and attend a selection camp in March. 4 representatives are chosen for that summer's IChO.
Eligibility: Entrants must be under 20 and, as of the competition April, in the third year of high school or below. There is no minimum age, but entrants must be able to perform experiments safely. Current and former Japanese IChO representatives are not eligible for the Grand Prix.
Student Outcomes¶
Chemistry Grand Prix achievements are recognized by several top Japanese universities in their admissions processes:
- Waseda University (Faculty of Advanced Science and Engineering): Operates a dedicated "Chemistry Grand Prix Admission" (化学グランプリ入試) special selection track where contest results are directly integrated into evaluation criteria
- Kyoto University (Engineering, Chemical Sciences): Uses Grand Prix achievements as supporting evidence in its recommendation-based admission (特色入試)
- Multiple universities across science, engineering, pharmacy, and medical programs accept Grand Prix records for comprehensive selection (総合型選抜) and school recommendation (学校推薦型選抜) admissions
IChO team members frequently go on to study at the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and other top institutions.
IChO Performance¶
Japan has competed in the IChO since 2003, and its lifetime record is among the strongest in Asia: 26 gold, 48 silver, 20 bronze, and 2 honourable mentions. Japan typically fields all-gold or near-all-gold teams, reflecting the country's exceptionally strong chemistry education pipeline.
History¶
- 1998 — First national Chemistry Grand Prix held
- 2003 — Japan first competed officially at the IChO in Athens
- 2010 — Japan hosted the 42nd IChO in Tokyo
- 2021 — Japan hosted the 53rd IChO, nominally in Osaka (conducted remotely due to COVID-19)