What is the International Academic Decathlon?

Since its establishment, the United States Academic Decathlon® (USAD) has been dedicated to supporting interdisciplinary education and academic growth for all students. Our mission is to promote learning and academic excellence among students of varying achievement levels by developing and providing multidisciplinary academic competitions using Academic Decathlon curricula. Our vision is to provide all students the opportunity to excel academically through team competition. In the United States, USAD has made a significant impact on education by encouraging students to reach their highest potential and preparing them for future challenges.

USAD, in collaboration with the World Youth Forum, launched the International Academic Decathlon (IAD). The IAD Program aims to respond to the needs of the times and the world, helping students and educators across the globe develop multidisciplinary learning skills, proficiency in complex problem-solving, and broad academic literacy. We believe that IAD will offer students and educators opportunities for educational innovation and achievement and will help cultivate future leaders with a global perspective. 

Events and Format

IAD include essay writing, themed speech, research project, and objective tests across multiple academic subjects related to the annual theme. Students participate both individually and as part of a team, mastering diverse content areas that test their analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Participation and Structure

Each year, national and regional champions advance to the IAD Global Round, an international competition that celebrates academic excellence and global learning.

The International Academic Decathlon has quickly expanded across the globe.

In August 2025, the WYF-FLALS Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit held in Macau, China, successfully hosted the IAD Global Round, bringing together:

• 50 top school teams from 8 countries and regions, including the USAD & USAP national champion team and CNAD & CNAP national champion team.
• Delegations from India, Indonesia, Thailand, and others.
• Over 400 participants engaged in this vibrant cross-cultural and interdisciplinary academic celebration.