This section answers your questions about the SCUDEM Challenge.
If you have questions that are not addressed here, you can also consult our Instructions and Rules page which gives more in-depth details on the challenge.
About SCUDEM
SCUDEM is a mathematical modeling challenge for teams of up to three students. Each team selects one of three problems and develops a solution using differential or difference equation models.
Challenge problems are provided from the following areas:
Physics and Engineering
Chemistry and Life Sciences
Social Sciences
The competition culminates in a 10-minute presentation in which teams explain their model, methodology, and results.
SCUDEM is open to teams of 3 undergraduate or high school students. Each team must have a coach (typically a faculty member or instructor). Participation is international — teams from across the US and around the world compete each year.
No, students can be from any school or institution. They do not need to be from the same grade level or in the same physical location. Note this rule is unique to the SCUDEM challenge and is not the same in COMAP’s other contest.
Three problems are released at the start of each challenge period, covering: physics/engineering, chemistry/life sciences, and social sciences. Each team selects exactly one problem to model.
SCUDEM is organized by COMAPThe Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications. COMAP is an award-winning mathematics education non-profit organization that has worked with educators, students, businesses, and industry to support and create learning environments where mathematics is used to investigate and model real issues in our world. SCUDEM is supported by MathWorks.
Timeline & Dates
For SCUDEM XI 2026: registration opens July 1, 2026. The challenge period runs from 3:00 p.m. ET on Friday, October 16, 2026 (when problems are released) through 3:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 (video submission deadline). Results are expected by mid-December 2026.
Registration closes at 2:00 p.m. ET on Friday, October 16, 2026 — the same day the challenge begins.
For SCUDEM XI 2026: The challenge deadline is 3:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Videos should be uploaded to YouTube and with Visibility set to Unlisted, and a SCUDEM Team Video Submission Form submitted before the end of the Challenge.
Rules & Competition Format
No. Once the challenge period begins, teams may not receive assistance from any living person outside their 3-member team — including the coach. Coaches are strongly encouraged to help prepare teams beforehand (modeling strategies, reviewing past problems, etc.), but during the challenge their role is limited to moral support and check-ins.
Create a video presentation of your work in no more than 10 minutes.
i. The first screen of the video must display:
assigned team number,
chosen problem letter and title, and
full names, institutions, and locations of all team members
full name, institution, and location of the coach.
At least 3 judges review each video using a published scoring rubric. Teams receive one of three designations: Outstanding, Meritorious, or Successful, along with written feedback from the judges.
Yes. Teams and coaches may work together remotely or in person. Many participating teams have members in different geographic locations. The SCUDEM site provides a guide to team meeting platforms to help with coordination.
Registration & Fees
The team registration fee is US$100 per team. Note: COMAP has made grant funds available for first time teams, teams from developing countries or teams that need financial assistance. These teams can request a one-time exemption from registration fees. Exemptions are award on first come basis and can be requested by emailing scudem@comap.org.
The coach or team member must complete the team registration process for each team using the team registration form.
Software & Resources
Yes. All fully registered participants (students and coaches) receive a complimentary MATLAB & Simulink license from MathWorks. After registering, visit the MathWorks competition page and click “Request Software.” A license key arrives within 48 hours. Note: MathWorks software use is not required and will have no affect on your judging.
Solving the problems does not require the use of AI tools, although their responsible use is permitted.
Teams that elect to use AI tools in any part of their modeling work and/or submission are required to submit a AI Use report as part of the SCUDEM Team Video Submission Form. Click here to download the COMAP AI policy with examples.
Participants build team collaboration skills, gain experience modeling open-ended real-world problems with differential equations, strengthen their resume or graduate school application, and receive detailed written feedback from multiple expert judges. Many alumni describe it as one of their most valuable undergraduate experiences.
Outstanding Award teams have their video posted publicly on the SIMIODE YouTube channel. Some teams have also gone on to publish their work in peer-reviewed undergraduate mathematics journals. By registering, student teams agree to their video potentially being shared publicly in the event of an Outstanding Award.
Anyone can volunteer as a judge — you can even serve as both a coach and a judge (you simply won’t be assigned your own team’s videos). Judging runs from November 13, to December 8, 2026 and requires approximately 1 hour total.
