The Idea Challenge is a program in which students develop ideas that contribute to solving social issues based on their own awareness of these issues and their interests, and then work to test hypotheses aimed at bringing those ideas to fruition. A total of 39 entries were submitted for the first round, and following a review process, 35 ideas were selected.

●1st List of Awardees

At the results briefing, each team shared the background of their ideas and the results of their approximately two-month-long verification process in a format consisting of a 2-minute presentation followed by a 2-minute Q&A session. The teams delivered creative presentations within the limited time allotted, and a lively exchange of opinions took place, with faculty members posing numerous questions and offering comments.

Following the presentations, faculty members conducted evaluations and participants cast votes, including for an award newly established this academic year. The faculty evaluated the entries based on three criteria: “① Personal Passion,” “② Social Impact,” and “③ Methodology for Hypothesis Testing,” with each faculty member selecting two teams to receive the Encouragement Award. In addition, the Audience Award was determined by a vote from the participants to honor the students’ efforts.

Encouragement Award

The following eight projects were selected for this year’s Encouragement Award.

• What you need to know about money before you start working（Selected by three teachers）
• Developing and Evaluating YAYA: An AI-Enhanced Board Game for Chinese Pronunciation Learning among Beginners
• StatusMaxx
• Hexycle
• LabSync: A Smart Lab Operations & Research Tracking Platform for University Laboratories
• Connecting stdents with futures project
• Non-Invasive Platelet Counter for Point-of-Care Healthcare: Validating Market Need in Developing Countries
• startap

Audience Award

Based on the results of the audience vote, the Audience Award went to the following:

• What you need to know about money before you start working
• Developing and Evaluating YAYA: An AI-Enhanced Board Game for Chinese Pronunciation Learning among Beginners
• StatusMaxx

At QREC, we will continue to support each student’s endeavors and encourage the generation and implementation of ideas that lead to the creation of new value.

We are now accepting applications for the 2nd Idea Challenge (IC).

Whether you have an idea you’d like to bring to life, don’t have an idea yet but want to try something new, or want to further refine your work following the first round—if you have the desire to take on a challenge, you’re more than welcome to join us.

We look forward to your creative ideas and willingness to take on new challenges.

Application Deadline: By 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026

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In this program, students will develop their original ideas into concrete projects by engaging in activities such as receiving guidance from mentors, conducting market research, and creating and testing prototypes.

During the approximately two-month activity period, selected participants will work on developing business plans, forming teams, and conducting pilot projects. Additionally, during this fiscal year, each team will present an interim report in June or July as part of the “QREC Open House,” held every Tuesday, to share their progress and challenges and further refine their projects through dialogue with participants. Subsequently, they will present the results of their activities at a final presentation scheduled for August, using these outcomes as a springboard for future challenges.

Please note that we offer two types of grants—a 100,000-yen grant and a 30,000-yen grant—to fund activities, depending on the project’s content and activity plan.

*The difference in grant amount is based on the size and nature of the project and is not an indication of superiority in evaluation.

Please look forward to the new challenges and achievements that will emerge through our future activities.

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At the review meeting, each project gave a presentation consisting of a 3-minute presentation followed by a 6-minute Q&A session, for a total of 9 minutes.

A panel of five judges, including four external judges, evaluated the projects based on the following criteria:
① Social impact of the issue
② Feasibility and social significance of the solution
③ Originality
④ Process for testing hypotheses
⑤ Team composition and division of roles
As a result, 10 projects were selected.

Selected teams will receive a flat grant of 250,000 yen per project and will work for approximately one year to implement their ideas in society and further their research.
Furthermore, following the interim report session on October 31, we will determine which teams will receive additional grants based on project progress, future development plans, and the scale and nature of the projects. Teams selected for additional grants will receive up to 250,000 yen, bringing their total grant amount to a maximum of 500,000 yen.

Please note that the decision regarding whether to provide additional funding is based on a comprehensive evaluation of the project’s scale, nature, and activity plan, and does not indicate the relative merit of the project.

The final project outcomes will be evaluated at the project presentation session, and projects deemed particularly outstanding will receive awards from the President next March.

We look forward to seeing how the innovative ideas unique to students, born from Change & Creation (C&C), will lead to the creation of new value that brings about social change.

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This year, a total of 43 applications were received. Following a rigorous screening process, 13 projects were selected:

• General Course: 8 projects
• Re-support Course: 2 projects
• Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Course: 3 projects

The selected students and alumni will take on the challenge of solving social issues and creating social impact through business initiatives, based on their own awareness of societal challenges.

Kyusoukai was established following a donation to our center from Mr. Hardy TS Kagimot, founder of HEALIOS K.K. and a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at Kyushu University.

The organization is primarily composed of founders and entrepreneurs who graduated from Kyushu University, with the aim of supporting the development of individuals who will contribute to the future of Japan.

The Kyusoukai Fund Grant supports Kyushu University students who are aware of current societal issues, recognize challenges that need to be addressed, and aspire to solve them through future business-driven social implementation with both constructive and critical perspectives.

In addition to financial support, the program also provides ongoing mentorship from QREC faculty members and Kyusoukai mentors, opportunities for networking, and practical learning experiences, thereby continuously encouraging participants to pursue their challenges.

*The Kyusoukai Fund Grant [General Course] has been operated since FY2022 through a donation from Mr. Hardy TS Kagimot.
*The Kyusoukai Fund Grant [Medical, Dental, and Pharmaceutical Course] has been operated since FY2025 through a donation from Saisei Ventures.

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From a large number of applications, eight projects were selected this year. For the “President’s Award,” which recognizes particularly outstanding projects, one project received the Grand Prize and three received the Excellence Award; President Ishibashi presented certificates and commemorative trophies to the representatives of each project.

●2025 Award Recipients

At the reception following the awards ceremony, the student recipients first gave presentations outlining their respective projects. The President and members of the Board of Trustees then shared their thoughts and asked questions, leading to a fruitful exchange of ideas.

During the reception, the award recipients appeared somewhat nervous at first, but the warm words and candid remarks from the President and the Board of Trustees helped ease the tension in the room, and it was striking to see the atmosphere gradually become more relaxed as smiles spread across everyone’s faces.

Finally, the President offered words of encouragement for their continued success in the future, and the ceremony came to a successful close.

I am sure this was a very valuable and meaningful opportunity for all the award recipients.

QREC wholeheartedly supports your continued success.

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By holding both events on the same day, attendees could observe Idea Battle Adopters continuing to watch the C&C reports, making it a day where participants could truly experience the entire flow from concept to implementation.

The eight teams selected at the May 2025 review meeting have worked toward realizing their respective plans for about one year, receiving up to 500,000 yen in support. This year was not merely a period for advancing projects; it was also a time for continually questioning “what value society demands.” Their approach—confronting the needs of society and users, refining their plans through trial and error—demonstrated significant growth.

The presentations that day were the culmination of approximately one year of dedicated effort and accumulated work, powerfully conveying the journey of each participant’s challenges.

At this Results Debriefing Session, we are pleased to announce the award-winning teams for the 2025 fiscal year. We would like to extend our congratulations to the winning teams. The winning teams will receive their awards from the President at the award ceremony to be held in March.

Regardless of the outcome, for the teams that did not win the awards, there is no doubt that their attitude toward creating new value in order to bring about social change itself was a great opportunity for growth. We hope that the advice from the external judges’ multifaceted viewpoints will be a source of inspiration for the teams as they continue to pursue their projects.

List of Adopters for FY2025

In addition, this year, a social event was held after the Results Debriefing Session.
Through dialogue with judges and mentors, students gained fresh perspectives. Simultaneously, by sharing their work with one another, connections transcending fields and projects emerged. It became a time where they could feel the presence of rivals and comrades alike, all committed to continuing their challenges.

[TRIAL].

Applications for the 2026 S.I.P. program are scheduled to open in March. Together with the Student Support Program, which is currently accepting applications, we offer a diverse range of programs. We hope that you will actively engage in this program as a place to take the next step forward. We look forward to seeing you take on new challenges.

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For the second round, 16 applications were received, and following the review process, 9 projects were selected.

At the results reporting session, representatives of the nine selected projects made presentations on the results, process, and future prospects of their efforts in a three-minute presentation and two-minute question-and-answer session. In the limited time available, the presentations were a condensation of the learning and insights gained through the implementation of the projects.

Despite the short timeframe, it was clear that steady progress had been made through repeated planning, execution, verification, and trial and error. While projects that progressed smoothly were certainly noteworthy, what was truly impressive was the persistent attitude of shifting perspectives and exploring new possibilities even when facing challenges. The report session conveyed that the very process of taking on these challenges had become a significant opportunity for growth.

This year’s Idea Battle concludes with this final Results Debriefing Session, but QREC will continue to support your challenges. Please leverage the insights and networks gained this time to build upon your future endeavors.

【Student Initiative Programs】

The 2026 S.I.P program is scheduled to begin accepting applications in March.

In addition to Idea Battles, we offer a variety of programs. We encourage you to actively participate in those that align with your goals and interests. We look forward to your next challenge.

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For Spring 2026 (QSAP04), five projects were selected following the review process.

Note that Fukuoka Mitou awardees, Challenge & Creation (C&C), and 100 Program awardees were permitted to apply as exceptions, even if they are undergraduate students, and were selected for this program following the review process.

Throughout the approximately 7-week program period, the selected teams will aim to achieve Proof of Concept (PoC) while also advancing efforts toward societal implementation, with an eye toward connecting to post-program funding such as the GAP Fund.

*This program was implemented as the “Acceleration Program” until Summer 2025 (QSAP03), but its name was changed to “Tech Bootcamp” starting Spring 2026 (QSAP04).

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In this program, students’ original ideas are taken as a starting point and given shape through preliminary research and advice from mentors. During the approximately three-month activity period, the selected students will brush up their business plans and build a team for implementation. Finally, they will present their achievements at the results debriefing scheduled for February, and take the first step toward social implementation.

This year, two grant amounts, 100,000 yen and 30,000 yen, have been established according to the nature of the project, and support will be provided according to the characteristics of each idea.

*The difference in grant amount is based on the size and nature of the project and is not an indication of superiority in evaluation.

We hope that through future activities, the adopters will further confront their own ideas and take on the next challenge.

Schedule

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This year, we adopted and supported the “Robocup 2025 Salvador” team, which participated in the world RoboCup Junior Soccer Open League (held in Brazil), working on the creation of an autonomous soccer robot. This was a valuable opportunity for the team to compete against teams from around the world.

The results of this competition were discussed after the Idea Battle (IB) results briefing, which was held on Friday, August 8, 2025, and the project’s results briefing was held on the same day.
IB adopters also participated, listening intently to the world competition and the insights and challenges they gained in the field.

In their reports, the participants frankly shared that they were overwhelmed by the advanced technology and maintenance systems of the foreign teams, and that they were outmatched in the games. In response, the teachers asked many questions and offered advice on team innovations and technical improvements, providing an opportunity to gain suggestions that can be applied to future activities.

Global Challenge & Creation (G.C&C ) contestants may apply up to one month before the deadline of the contest in which they wish to participate.
Individual judging by QREC is conducted on an as-needed basis based on the application documents, and we are still accepting applications for this year’s contest.

We look forward to your challenge.

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