16/02/2023

The 2023 Scientific Initiation and Master's Program is now accepting applications.

The Scientific Initiation and Master's Program (PICME) opened, this Wednesday (15), the registration for the selection process of university students from any area who stood out in the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad for Public Schools (OBMEP) or in the Brazilian Mathematics Olympiad (OBM). Registration will be open until June Mondays.

The program is intended for undergraduate students at public or private institutions who have won medals in at least one edition of the OBMEP or OBM. The schedule is available on the program's website.

Participants have the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in mathematics concurrently with their undergraduate studies. The program is offered at institutions with academic master's programs in mathematics accredited to participate in PICME. Selected university students receive a CNPq Scientific Initiation scholarship of R$ 400.

Weslley Matias is one of the students who reaped the rewards of his dedication by participating in the program. After winning three bronze medals and one gold medal in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools), in addition to three honorable mentions, the young man had the opportunity to deepen his mathematical knowledge during his undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering at Mackenzie Presbyterian University.

“ The scholarship helped a lot because my course was full-time, so I couldn't work. It was an opportunity to dedicate myself to my studies while being able to count on this assistance,” said Weslley.

Weslley Matias conquistou uma medalha de ouro e três bronzes na OBMEP | Arquivo pessoal

With his degree completed, Weslley believes that his participation was essential for his professional development. Currently , he is a data analyst at Itaú Bank.

“Participating in the program was very important because I was able to engage with subjects I wouldn't see in the engineering curriculum. It was also essential for entering the job market. Participation in the Olympiad and in scientific initiation programs were differentiating factors on my resume. Today, I am where I am because of OBMEP,” he concluded.

How to register

To participate, you must apply through the PICME website. Those selected through this process will be contacted by email or phone using the information provided during registration and will receive instructions on how to proceed with their application. Approximately 300 new participants are selected annually in Brazil.

Participation in PICME begins in the second semester, except for multi-medalist candidates and/or undergraduate students in mathematics who may participate from their first semester. All participants apply through the same selection process, with two intakes into the program. The first intake is in March and the second in August 2023.

Registration began on February 1Thursdays and will continue until June Mondays , with the deadline for first-time applicants being April Tuesdays.

More information is available on the website.

Who can apply for the first entry?

a) Undergraduate students in the field of mathematics and/or who have obtained at least 4 medals (multi-medalist in OBMEP and/or OBM) entering Higher Education in the first semester of 2023.

b) Students who entered Higher Education before 2023 and have won at least one medal in the OBMEP and/or OBM from any undergraduate course.

c) Candidates who were not selected in previous years and former scholarship recipients.

Who can be selected for the Mondays entry?

The student selected for the second intake will need to wait for the renewal process of the CNPq Cooperation Agreement with IMPA. Updated information will be published on the PICME page.

a) All students regularly enrolled in undergraduate programs, at least in the second semester of 2023, with at least one medal in the OBMEP and/or OBM;

b) Eligible students not selected for the first intake.

c) Undergraduate students in mathematics and/or who have obtained at least 4 medals (multi-medalist in OBMEP and/or OBM) entering Higher Education in the second semester of 2023 (other students must wait for the 2024 selection process)

d) Students who are not multi-medalists or who are enrolled in a mathematics course starting their second semester after September 2023 should wait for the 2024 process.

PICME is coordinated nationally by the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA) and offered by graduate programs in mathematics at various universities across the country. For more information, visit the PICME website .