Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest (CSMC) Prize

University of Waterloo - CEMC

Win a $500 prize if you are among the top five official participants in Canada — your school must order the contest by October 22, 2026.

Published by G Paul · last checked September 26, 2026

Total value

$500

Deadline

Oct 22, 2026

Level

High school, CEGEP

Open to

Across Canada

Applications are closed for this cycle

Applications are not open right now (they last closed Oct 22, 2026). Many awards like this one run again each year, so we re-check this page and update it when the next cycle opens. Last verified Sep 26, 2026.

Still open

7 similar awards are still open, worth up to $100,000

Browse all open awards →

What you will need

Payment of $14.00 contest fee per participant
Completed Student Information Form
Born on or after January 1, 2008 (to count as an official participant)
Live in Canada (if you write at a school inside Canada)

About this award

You can win a $500 prize if you are one of the top five official participants in Canada. This is a prize, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. The University of Waterloo - CEMC (the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing — the hub for math competitions) awards these at their discretion. This is for you if you are a high school or CÉGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel — a pre-university college in Quebec) student who loves challenging mathematical problem-solving. Your school must order the contest by Thursday, October 22, 2026. The contest takes place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, for those in North and South America, and Thursday, November 19, 2026, for those outside those regions. Results are available in the Contest Supervisor Portal four weeks after the contest date — ask your teacher for yours. Winners are chosen based on their score out of 60 on the 9-question exam. The University of Waterloo - CEMC assesses each submitted solution for completeness, clarity, and presentation style. Selection criteria for the top five spots are based on the highest scores among official participants. Ask University of Waterloo - CEMC during your application how the prize money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with University of Waterloo - CEMC whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You are eligible to write the contest if you are a student in Grade 11, Grade 12, or a CÉGEP student. To be an official participant at a school inside Canada, you must live in Canada, have been born on or after January 1, 2008, and properly complete your Student Information Form. If you write the contest at a school outside Canada, you must have been born on or after January 1, 2008, and properly complete your Student Information Form. Motivated students in lower grades are also welcome to write the contest, though they may be considered unofficial.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

Canadian citizen, permanent resident or international student
Open to high school or CEGEP students
Studying mathematics

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
This round closed on October 22, 2026
Check the award's official page for the next round before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

Problem SolvingAvoid rushing through the three full-solution questions. Instead, focus on the completeness, clarity, and presentation style of your work, as poor presentation prevents you from earning a full score. Practice with the eight modules in the CEMC preparation materials.
SupportAvoid trying to organize the contest yourself. Instead, work with your school's Contest Supervisor to ensure you are registered and supervised correctly in school on the official date.
StrategyAvoid ignoring the preparation workshops. Instead, attend the three 60-minute sessions provided by the University of Waterloo - CEMC to familiarize yourself with the problem types.
RealismAvoid assuming this is a requirement for university. Participation in the contest is not required for admission to the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, though it can be used for certain scholarships.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

This round is closed. Check the award's official page for when the next round opens.

When is the deadline?

This round closed on October 22, 2026. Many awards like this run again each year, so check the award's official page for the next round.

Can international students apply?

Yes. It is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

Similar awards

Share this award

FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 26, 2026