The U-22 Programming Contest 2020 website is now live!
https://u22procon.com

Whether your school closures have been extended or not, what do you think? I’m looking forward to taking on many challenges (*^^*)

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This year, marking the 41st edition of the program, we are focusing more than ever on the winners’ future prospects. In addition to increasing the supplementary prize for the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award from 400,000 yen last year to 500,000 yen, we have established a program titled “Let’s Go!“Let’s Go! ‘MIRAI PASS’”—a program designed to foster continued growth even after receiving the award, including recommendations for the IPA’s Uncharted Projects and startup support.”

With programming education finally set to begin in elementary schools this school year, and information technology education set to be strengthened in middle and high schools going forward, the framework for training IT engineers is now in place.

Furthermore, even in times of crisis—such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which is currently considered a global threat—the use of IT has enabled our society to maintain continuity in education and facilitate remote work arrangements.

We encourage you to take on this contest with the goal of becoming the next generation of IT engineers—those who will use their own ideas and skills to shape the future and drive further progress in our world!

■2020 Schedule (Tentative)
April 1 (Wed) Website launches; application guidelines published
July 1 (Wed) Application period begins
August 31 (Mon) Application deadline
October 18(Sun) Final Judging and Announcement of Awards *Scheduled to be broadcast live on Niconico Monday, October
19 Award Ceremony for the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and the Director-General of the Bureau of Commerce and Information Policy Award (Tentative)

*Regarding the final judging session and awards ceremony, depending on the situation—including the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19—we may consider scaling back the event, holding it online, postponing it, or canceling it, and will promptly notify those involved.

■ Eligibility
Requirements 　Participants must be 22 years old or younger (born on or after April 2, 1998).

　*For teams, the eligibility requirements are generally the same as those listed above.However, if the team captain is 22 years old or younger and more than half of the members are 22 years old or younger,
　　we will allow students from the same school who are 23 years old or older (born on or before April 1, 1998) to participate as team members.

■ The submitted work must be an original creation that has not been entered into any other contest
(including other competitions).

*“Not previously submitted” refers to entries that have never been submitted to any contest prior to the final judging session of the U-22 Programming Contest 2020 (October 18, 2020). However, entries that have undergone significant modifications may be submitted, provided that comparison materials showing the before-and-after versions are attached.
　The evaluation of such entries is left entirely to the discretion of the judging panel.