AI Contest 'GENIAC-PRIZE 2026' Launches, Offering 1 Billion Yen in Prize Money and Computing Resources

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and NEDO will conduct 'GENIAC-PRIZE 2026', a contest offering incentives for areas requiring further social implementation and talent development of AI (Artificial Intelligence).

Through 'GENIAC-PRIZE 2026', they aim to promote the social implementation of AI and to discover and nurture the talent to lead it.

1. Overview of NEDO Challenge

Since 2023, NEDO has implemented the 'NEDO Challenge' (hereinafter, this program), which seeks diverse seeds and solutions contributing to the resolution of technical and social issues through a contest-style prize-based research and development method*1. By quickly discovering seeds that lead to future social issue resolution and new industry creation, it aims to create opportunities for joint research and promote the practical application and commercialization of those seeds.

2. Application for 'GENIAC-PRIZE 2026'

(1) Overview

The GENIAC (Generative AI Accelerator Challenge) project*3 aims to raise the level of domestic AI development capabilities. It supports the provision of computational resources, support for demonstrations aimed at the utilization of data and AI, the hosting of matching events, and support for partnerships with global tech companies.

With the goal of accelerating AI utilization and social implementation, they will advance R&D focusing on two themes: business process reform for essential workers, where further AI development is needed, and talent development through base model development for students.

'GENIAC-PRIZE 2026' utilizes the system of this program to provide incentives such as prize money, inviting wide-ranging results from students planning to engage in AI development in the future to those already working on AI implementation in companies.

(2) Details of Application

'GENIAC-PRIZE 2026' invites challenging initiatives from companies and students for two themes: 'AI-driven business process reform for essential workers' and 'Open base model development for training developers (students) for Physical AI.' The total prize money is expected to be up to 630 million yen. Additionally, for base model development by students, up to 400 million yen worth of computational resources will be provided to project participants. Combining the prize money and computing resources, the total comes to approximately 1 billion yen.

[Recruitment Themes]

Theme 1: AI-driven business process reform for essential workers

Theme 2: Open base model development for training developers (students) for Physical AI

[Prize Money]

Total: Up to 630 million yen

Theme 1: 600 million yen

Theme 2: 30 million yen

[Upcoming Schedule]

Application briefing (Theme 1): June 12, 2026 (Fri)

(Theme 2): June 23, 2026 (Tue)

Final contest and awards ceremony: March 2027

Post-awards dissemination event: From late March 2027

Awarding of prize money: May 2027