U-22 Programming Contest 2026: Applications Now Open! Deadline August 31

Applications Open July 1! Deadline End of August

Applications for the U-22 Programming Contest 2026 and the 5th U-22 Key Visual Contest have opened on July 1. (Deadline: August 31). The U-22 Programming Contest is aimed at young programmers and creators and marks its 47th year.

This year, the selection committee discussed the handling of generative AI before accepting applications.

With accuracy significantly improved since last year, we have entered an era where AI can create almost everything, leading to discussions about the evaluation of technology.

As a result, by unanimous decision of all committee members, it was determined that the use of AI in the creation of works is acceptable, as it was last year.

However, if AI is used, applicants will be required to provide more specific details than last year about where and how it was utilized during the entry process.

This will allow for evaluation from various perspectives, such as whether the applicant's intended content was appropriately used in the right places, whether security, maintenance support, and modifications were addressed, and whether originality and novelty were recognized, including the discovery of unprecedented new usage methods.

As digitalization is promoted worldwide and AI technology advances, we are required to adopt different work methods and acquire new technical skills and expertise.

The U-22 Programming Contest seeks works from children, students, and university students that solve everyday problems based on their own ideas, make society more convenient, or pursue their passions to the fullest. We have showcased and awarded many compelling works at the contest venue and have supported their activities to help them advance to the next step.

This year again, the next generation of top engineers will gather for the contest.

In an era where anyone can create new services, we encourage you to use the contest to showcase your passion and achievements. Anyone 28 years old or younger if a student, or 22 years old or younger if employed or a freelancer, can participate.

For those who do not meet the participation criteria, we invite you to watch the final judging session online on November 29. We hope you will experience the ideas and abilities of the next generation of young programmers, support their future growth, and find inspiration for your own motivation and business.

Continuing from last year, the "5th U-22 Key Visual Contest," which seeks the key visual for the following year from the U-22 generation, will be held concurrently. We expect participants to appeal to their peers with their unique ideas and to help liven up the U-22 Programming Contest together.

Applications for both contests will be accepted from July 1 to August 31. We look forward to receiving many applications from you.

U-22 Programming Contest 2026 Schedule (Tentative)

July 1 (Wed) - August 31 (Mon)

Application Period

Early October

Preliminary Screening Results Announcement

Late October

First Screening Results Announcement

November 29 (Sun)

Final Judging Session *YouTube Live planned. Register to watch here.

5th U-22 Key Visual Contest Schedule (Tentative)

July 1 (Wed) - August 31 (Mon)

Application Period

November 29 (Sun)

Announcement of Excellence Award (approx. 3 works) at the U-22 Programming Contest 2026 Final Judging Session

April 2027

Key Visual Announcement

Eligibility (Common)

22 years old or younger (born on or after April 2, 2004)

OR 28 years old or younger if a student (born on or after April 2, 1998)

(Or, a group composed of individuals meeting the same criteria)

*If 22 years old or younger, employed individuals, freelancers, etc., are also eligible. If a student, those 28 years old or younger (e.g., doctoral students) are eligible.

U-22 Programming Contest 2026 Application Method

Register a summary of your work with limited public access on ProtoPedia.

Upload a video introducing your work (including an execution demo) to YouTube with limited public access.

Register creator information, appeal points, explanation of AI usage, and URLs for items 1 and 2 above in the entry form.

Upload all submitted materials to the online storage designated by the secretariat.

Entry for U22 Programming Contest Here

Awards and Prizes

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (¥500,000) x 4

Director-General of the Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, METI Award (¥50,000) x 6

Sponsor Company Awards, etc.

5th U-22 Key Visual Contest Application Method

Register applicant information and design image in the entry form (Web).

*If the key visual for submission exceeds 10MB, upload it to online storage and share the work data via URL.

Key Visual Entry Here

Awards and Prizes

Excellence Award (¥10,000) x 3 works

Key Visual Adoption: Production Fee ¥100,000 (excluding tax)

U-22 Programming Contest Overview

This is a project submission contest, open to all genres and languages, that supports young people who use "programming" to bring their ideas to life, solve everyday problems, and are passionate about development. It is a continuation of the "U-20 Programming Contest," which was held from 1980 and organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Since 2014, it has been organized by the executive committee with the support of sponsoring companies who share the desire to support the next generation of IT programmers, marking its 47th year.

<U-22 Programming Contest Management Secretariat>

Established within the Software Association (Abbreviation: SAJ / Chairman: Kunihiro Tanaka, President and CEO, Sakura Internet Inc.).

Please direct inquiries regarding this matter to the contact information below.

U-22 Programming Contest Management Secretariat

u22-info@saj.or.jp