Idea Challenge（I.C）
Your ideas can be the seeds of social change
Summary
The Idea Challenge (I.C.) is a program launched in fiscal year 2014 that helps students transform their original, rough-around-the-edges ideas into more realistic project proposals by conducting preliminary research on potential market needs, competing technologies, and intellectual property rights, as well as by receiving advice from mentors.
For ideas selected for this program, we will conduct research and due diligence over approximately two months to refine them into high-quality business plans and assemble teams to execute those plans. Ultimately, participants will present their business plans at a final results presentation; by sharing these plans with the assembled team members, we aim to provide an opportunity to further refine the ideas and prepare for the next phase.
Within the QREC program, this serves as a preliminary step before applying to various events such as Change & Creation (C&C) and external business plan competitions.
*This program was previously known as the “Idea Battle (IB)” until 2025, but its name was changed to “Idea Challenge” (abbreviated as I.C) starting in fiscal year 2026.
If adopted
- You can receive a grant of up to 30,000 yen or 100,000 yen per application!
- QREC facilities (meeting space and workshop) are available for meetings with team members, work, etc!
- QREC faculty members will serve as your mentor and you will receive mentoring including advice on forming a team!
- Opportunities to interact with students from different faculties and departments!
Eligibility for Application
- The project must be composed of graduate or undergraduate students of Kyushu University.
- Individual applications are also accepted. However, we encourage the formation of teams at the end of the program.
- The theme must be one that you have thought of yourself. You do not have to stick to your major field of study.
- Multiple applications by the same representative will not be accepted. However, one project representative may be a member of another project.
- Incorporated projects are not eligible to apply.
- Students on leave of absence are not eligible to participate.
Precautions
- The topics of the thesis, master’s thesis, and doctoral dissertation are not subject to review.
- Projects that have received funding from Change & Creation (C&C), the Kyusoukai Fund, or other sources are ineligible. However, we welcome ideas that were submitted but not selected.
Schedule
| 1st | 2nd | |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | By 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2026 | By 5:00 PM on Thursday, November 26, 2026 |
| Review board | Sunday, June 14, 2026, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM [Location: ToP, 7th Floor, Building 5, Ito Campus Center] | Early December 2026 [Location: TBD] |
| Adopters’ Briefing Session | Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 12:10–12:50 p.m. [Location: ToP, 7th Floor, Building 5, Ito Campus Center | ] Tuesday, December 8, 2026, 12:10–12:50 p.m. [Location: ToP, 7th Floor, Building 5, Ito Campus Center] |
| Interim Report Session (Group A) | Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 4:40–6:00 PM (Held during the Open House) [Location: Ito Campus Center Building 6, 2nd Floor, BasE] | Tuesday, December 22, 2026, 4:40 PM–6:00 PM (Held during the Open House) [Location: Ito Campus Center Building 6, 2nd Floor, BasE] |
| Interim Report Session (Group B) | Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 4:40–6:00 PM (Held during the Open House) [Location: Ito Campus Center Building 6, 2nd Floor, BasE] | Tuesday, January 5, 2027, 4:40 PM–6:00 PM (Held during the Open House) [Location: Ito Campus Center Building 6, 2nd Floor, BasE] |
| Results briefing | Thursday, August 6, 2026, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM [Location: ToP, 7th Floor, Building 5, Ito Campus Center] | Friday, February 12, 2027, Afternoon [Location: ToP, 7th Floor, Building 5, Ito Campus Center] |
■Please click here to view the schedule for the 2025 fiscal year.
Application Guidelines
Call for Projects
We recommend topics (1) through (5) below.
(1) Information and Communication Technology ICT (including web business)
(2) Greentech (environmental technology)
(3) Big data (statistical analysis)
(4) Base Of Pyramid (BOP)
(5) Agri-bio/Healthcare
(6) Other (please specify specific areas)
Subsidy amount
Up to 30,000 yen or 100,000 yen per case
- Depending on the nature of the project, the grant will be either 30,000 yen or 100,000 yen.
- It is paid in accordance with Kyushu University’s accounting rules. It is not a lump-sum cash payment.
- This project is supported by the Kyushu University Foundation.
Written application
How to apply
Download the application form, fill in the required fields, and submit it via the application form.
Application Deadline
1st: Until 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2026
2nd: Until 5:00 PM on Thursday, November 26, 2026
Examination
- Each applicant will give a one-minute elevator pitch without using a PC or other equipment.
- QREC faculty members will serve as judges and will review your application based on your presentation (one-minute pitch) and documentation (application documents).
Remarks
- Adopted ideas will be mentored by a QREC faculty member and are obligated to receive mentoring, including advice on team formation, at least twice a month.
- The selected ideas will be scrutinized, teams will be formed, and each selected applicant will make a presentation of the project plan that has completed the scrutiny process. Project teams must be formed by that time.
Past Adopted Projects
FY2025 FY2024 FY2023 FY2022 FY2021
FY2020 FY2019 FY2018 FY2017 FY2016 FY2015 FY2014
Click here to view the results report.