European officials believe another European should replace Dominique Strauss-Kahn as IMF managing director.
Mr Strauss-Kahn resigned last week to fight sex assault charges in New York.
Difficult decision The five executive directors representing the so-called BRICS countries at the Washington-based fund expressed their position in a joint statement.
"We are concerned with public statements made recently by high-level European officials to the effect that the position of managing director should continue to be occupied by a European," they said.
"The recent financial crisis which erupted in developed countries underscored the urgency of reforming international financial institutions so as to reflect the growing role of developing countries in the world economy."
The BBC's Tom Burridge in Washington says this statement is a direct challenge to Europe and if the BRIC countries can rally behind one of several contenders from emerging economies, it will leave a difficult, and diplomatically sensitive, decision for the 24 members of the IMF's executive board.
Newly confident emerging economies have been pushing for years for a greater voice, and more voting shares, at the IMF.
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Rajiv Biswas Asia-Pacific Chief Economist, IHS GlobalIt's against all good principles of governance for a global institute to only have its leader from Europe.”
A number of European figures have thrown their weight behind French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde as the next IMF head.
Post colonial If confirmed, she would continue the tradition of having a European lead the fund, which was established in 1944.Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist at IHS Global, said he was "angry" about the selection process, calling it a post-colonial relic.
"It's against all good principles of governance for a global institute to only have its leader from Europe," he told the BBC's Asia Business Report.
"It's absolutely unacceptable now."
Mr Biswas pointed out that, within 10 years, the combined economic might of developing countries would exceed that of developed countries.
Hat in hand
The idea has many followers around the world, including a former IMF chief economist Kenneth Rogoff.
He told the BBC World Service's Business Daily that the IMF often goes hat in hand to emerging markets for money, so it is important that they feel served.
"The days are gone when it should automatically be a European," said Mr Rogoff.
"It should go to the best qualified person and since it's been a European so long, it really should go outside."
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