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Honda Mobilityland Youth Innovation Awards 2026

Honda Mobilityland Co., based in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, is excited to announce the launch of the new Honda Mobilityland Youth Innovation Awards 2026. This initiative aims to invigorate motorsports by leveraging the creativity of students, both domestic and international, and encouraging them to propose innovative solutions focused on sustainability and fan engagement in the motorsports industry.

The competition invites high school and university students from Japan and abroad to take part in creating impactful ideas through a two-track challenge format:

• - Track A: Fan Travel Innovation Challenge
• - Track B: Fan Engagement Challenge

Purpose of the Awards

The primary objective of the awards is to harness students' creativity to envision and realize a sustainable and appealing future for motorsport experiences. Each participating team is encouraged to connect directly with professors and industry experts from overseas, thereby gaining access to global perspectives and diverse values.

Challenge Details

Each team will submit video presentations outlining their proposed solutions. Initial screenings will be conducted by a panel consisting of academic specialists in digital innovation and sustainability, student representatives, and marketing experts. The finalists will then present their ideas in Tokyo (or online). Winning teams from each track will have the exclusive opportunity to pitch their proposals during the F1 Japan Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway, taking place from March 27 to 29, 2026.

Evaluation Criteria

The proposals will be assessed based on several critical factors: social value, feasibility, originality, and industry insights. Exceptional ideas may even be considered for future implementation, providing students the chance to see their concepts in action within the motorsports landscape.

Competition Tracks

Track A: Fan Travel Innovation Challenge

This track focuses on creating new ideas to make the travel experience to the Suzuka Circuit more enjoyable, convenient, and sustainable. Potential ideas can include enhancing waiting and travel times with positive experiences, promoting low and zero carbon transportation options, and initiatives to encourage the use of carbon credits.

Judging Criteria:

• - Impact: Effectiveness of the approach to addressing sustainable travel to the Suzuka Circuit.
• - Creativity: Uniqueness of the ideas.
• - Feasibility: Realistic implementation of the proposals.
• - Quality & Verification: Clarity of the proposal and supporting data from initial research or trials.
• - Fan Community Voting: Level of support the proposal garners from the public post-submission.

Track B: Fan Engagement Challenge

This track aims to introduce the charms of motorsports to new, inexperienced audiences. Proposals can explore ways for these new fans to engage with motorsports both online and in person through recommendations involving social media campaigns, AR/VR experiences, fan zones, and digital storytelling.

Judging Criteria:

• - Impact: Ability to broaden the appeal of motorsports to new demographics.
• - Creativity: Originality of the concepts.
• - Feasibility: Practicality of execution.
• - Quality & Verification: Clarity, initial research backing, and proof of concept.
• - Fan Community Voting: Public support post-announcement.

Submission Requirements

Each team must define the problem, clearly explain their proposal, and include any initial research data or trials (large scale studies are not necessary; community-based testing is encouraged). Presentations should be submitted as a video format lasting between 3 to 6 minutes.

Timeline

• - Entry Deadline: December 26, 2025, by noon (details available on the official website).
• - Orientation & Workshop: Early January 2026 (online).
• - Preliminary Screening: Early February 2026 (video submission) → Announcement of finalist teams.
• - Final Selection: Late February 2026 (presentations in Tokyo & online) → Award announcements.
• - Award Ceremony: March 27-29, 2026, with invited winning teams presenting at the F1 Japan Grand Prix fan zone.

Judges & Workshop Speakers

The judging panel includes a diverse group of experts:

• - Althea Lee (University of California, Berkeley) - A champion of inclusive education in engineering and design.
• - Chih-Wey Luo (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) - A recognized academic in sustainable science and innovation.
• - Didem Güldür Bro (Uppsala University) - An advocate for sustainable computer systems and future design.
• - Kazuhira Goto (D-POPS GROUP) - A serial entrepreneur with vast experience in supporting startups.
• - Mariko Yoshihara (Stanford University) - An education researcher fostering social impact through curriculum development.
• - Mike Hughes (Stanford University) - An expert in energy policy and sustainable technology.

Collaboration Institutions

The project has garnered support from several illustrious institutions including:

• - Tokyo University of Science, Japan
• - National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
• - Seoul National University, Rise Program, South Korea
• - Stanford Program in Kyoto, Japan
• - University of California, Berkeley, ROAR Program, USA
• - Uppsala University, Sweden

Awards and Benefits

Winning teams will receive the Grand Prize (one per track) and the Innovation Award for the most creative idea. All winners will be invited to present at the F1 Japan Grand Prix, gaining invaluable exposure and networking opportunities with industry professionals, educators, and sponsors.

Guidelines and Rules

All submissions must be original, and teams must respect brand copyrights and communal guidelines. While rights belong to the participating teams, Honda Mobilityland retains non-exclusive usage rights for marketing and implementation of the winning projects.

For more information about applications and guidelines, please refer to the official site of the Honda Mobilityland Youth Innovation Awards 2026.