Student Idea Contest on "Life on the Moon in 2040" Begins Accepting Applications for the 2nd "SPACE IDEA CONTEST"!

Yūjin Uchū System Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Teru Ariga, hereinafter "the Company"), with the operational support of Alumnote Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Fuyuga Nakazawa, hereinafter "Alumnote"), has decided to hold the second "SPACE IDEA CONTEST" (hereinafter "the Contest") for university and graduate students nationwide, and has begun accepting applications today.

The Contest is an idea contest for students to design the future of people and space. With the free thinking unique to students, participants will tackle the design of life and systems in future space society.

Approximately 50 individuals who pass the document screening are expected to participate in the on-site judging to be held on October 3-4, 2026.

Second Contest Theme: "Living on the Moon in 2040. Design the Systems to Support Life."

For this second iteration, with "the Future of Living on the Moon" as the keyword, participants will consider the challenges of people living continuously on the moon and design systems to solve those challenges.

The Contest is open to all university and graduate students, not just those in the space field. Participating students will be challenged to create new systems to support life on the moon, leveraging their respective specialties and interests.

Apply here

Details of the theme can be found on the application website.

Background of the Event

The space market is an area expected to see further growth in the future. The Company believes that the driving force behind this growth is free thinking from diverse perspectives and passion for challenges. Through this Contest, we aim to expand the base of human resources who will lead the future space industry by providing opportunities for students interested in the space field, as well as those who have had little previous contact with it, to experience space.

Event Overview

Application Period

June 30, 2026 (Tue) - August 31, 2026 (Mon)

Eligibility

University and graduate students nationwide (regardless of faculty or academic discipline)

Must be able to participate in the main contest to be held on October 3-4, 2026 (Sat-Sun)

How to Apply

Please fill in the required information on the application form.

Schedule

Application Period (Document Screening)

June 30, 2026 (Tue) - August 31, 2026 (Mon)

Notification of Document Screening Results

Early September 2026 (scheduled)

Main Contest (On-site Judging)

October 3-4, 2026 (Sat-Sun)

Organization

Organizer

Yūjin Uchū System Co., Ltd. (JAMSS)

Operational Support

Alumnote Inc.

Cooperation

General Incorporated Association Cross-U

Application Guidelines here

Scenes from the Previous Contest

In the previous contest held in December 2024, applications were received from 128 universities nationwide, and 54 students who passed the document screening participated in the on-site judging.

Reference Releases

Seeking Ideas for a "Livable" Space and an "Even More Cherished" Earth. Student Idea Contest "SPACE IDEA CONTEST" to be Held!

[54 Participants in a Fierce Competition Over 2 Days] Novel Ideas from Students Gather! "SPACE IDEA CONTEST" In-Person Event Concludes Successfully

About Yūjin Uchū System Co., Ltd. (JAMSS)

Yūjin Uchū System Co., Ltd. is a company that leads Japan's human space development with the mission of "Designing the Future of People and Space." At the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" on the International Space Station, we have supported the activities of astronauts from the ground in areas of operation, utilization, training, and safety, including system monitoring and control, support for space experiments, astronaut training, and safety evaluation of onboard equipment.

In recent years, space has opened up to private companies as a new economic sphere, and the utilization of space is becoming more diverse. JAMSS is at the forefront of these changes, working to create opportunities for the expansion of space utilization. We will continue to contribute to the creation of new value in a wide range of fields by leveraging the technological capabilities and knowledge cultivated in human space development.

Corporate Site

Latest Information here (Official X)

About Alumnote Inc.

Alumnote Inc. is a startup originating from the University of Tokyo with the mission of "Channeling Capital into Next-Generation Education," aiming to update university fundraising methods to solve the financial difficulties of universities and educational institutions.

To utilize the operating profits of university endowments, backed by donations, as new revenue sources for universities, we support the revitalization of university communities and the fundraising operations of universities by providing digital tools and execution support for donation acquisition. We also plan and manage Giving Campaigns to support universities and students nationwide.

Corporate Site

Inquiries regarding this matter here