International College

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Global PIUDA Project, a national SW development competition hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea.

This program aims to discover creative ICT solutions that address shared social challenges between Korea and Japan, particularly in the field of elderly care. Participants will move from idea planning to software development and real-world pilot testing in both domestic and international environments.

A unique opportunity is provided for outstanding projects to be tested in real-world environments, including pilot implementation in Osaka, Japan.

■ Theme

• Development of ICT solutions addressing social/public issues (elderly care) in Korea and Japan
• Participants may select one detailed topic and develop a solution accordingly
• Both software and optional hardware implementation are allowed

■ Eligibility

• Open to anyone interested in the topic
• Teams of up to 5 members (3–5 members recommended)

■ Schedule (Key Dates)

• Application Period: April 1 – May 17, 2026 (23:59)
• Online Information Session: April 28, 2026 (14:00)
• Preliminary Selection: May 19 – May 22, 2026
• Development Phase: May 22 – August 17, 2026 (2 phases)
• Final Evaluation & Awards: August 19, 2026
• National Championship: September 1, 2026
• Overseas Pilot Testing (Japan): August 28 – October 23, 2026

■ How to Apply

• Submit application according to regional guidelines via the official application process
• Detailed submission guidelines and application forms are available on the official website: https://www.baeulang.kr

■ Awards

• Grand Prize (1 team): Minister of Science and ICT Award + KRW 3,000,000
• Excellence Award (2 teams): NIPA President Award + KRW 2,000,000
• Merit Award (3 teams): KOFCA President Award + KRW 1,000,000
• Selected projects may receive real-world pilot implementation opportunities in Korea and Japan

■ Support

• Dedicated development workspace and equipment support
• Expert mentoring throughout development
• Businessization support for selected projects
• Promotional materials for outstanding projects

■ Inquiries

• Please refer to the regional contact information provided in the official announcement