Complete Coder Incentive Program

We are excited to announce the addition of a new element to the 2006 TCO, called the TCO Complete Coder Incentive Program. Here's how it works:

Structure
TCO competitors who want to guarantee they will receive prize money during Online Rounds 2, 3 & 4, plus the first Onsite Round of the TCO algorithm competition need only to compete in the component development and/or design process prior to Round 2 of the TCO algorithm competition.

In order to be eligible for guaranteed prize money in certain rounds of the algorithm competition, a competitor must pass review on any three (3) components. If a competitor passes review three (3) times in development only, he/she will receive prize money in each of Online Rounds 2, 3, 4 and the Onsite Semi-final Round of the algorithm competition, depending on when he/she is eliminated. If a competitor passes review three (3) times and at least one (1) of those is in design, he/she will receive an additional 50% bonus in each of Online Rounds 2, 3, 4 and the Onsite Semi-final Round of the algorithm competition, depending on when he/she is eliminated.

Eligibility
TopCoder members meeting the following eligibility criteria are eligible to compete in the program:

• Must be at least 18 years of age as of December 7, 2005; AND
• If not a US resident, must be living in, and participating from, your country of residence; AND
• Must currently be eligible for participation in TopCoder Component projects (i.e., not suspended from TopCoder).

Timeframe
Competitors can participate in design components from December 7, 2005 through March 9, 2006. Competitors can participate in development components from December 21, 2005 through March 9, 2006. Any components posted after March 9, 2006 are not eligible for this program.

Prize Money
During the algorithm tournament, those competitors who have passed review on three (3) development components will receive the following prize money:

Round 2 participants - $100
Round 3 participants - $200
Round 4 participants - $400
Onsite Semi-final participants - $500

During the algorithm tournament, those competitors who have passed review on three (3) components with at least one (1) in design will receive the following prize money:

Round 2 participants - $150
Round 3 participants - $300
Round 4 participants - $600
Onsite Semi-final participants - $750

Don't delay! Be sure to check out all of the available components soon.