SIMPLE ASEAN VR Contest 2026–27: Free University Teams Enter Sustainability Virtual Worlds
The SIMPLE project is inviting university students and faculty mentors from across the 11 ASEAN member states to create interactive Virtual Universes: immersive VR environments that communicate scientific research on sustainability. Registration and initial concept notes close on November 20, 2026. Entry is free. The programme is designed for eligible ASEAN citizens with university connections, not a general worldwide prize for independent VR artists with no qualifying team.
Build a team, not a solo application
Each entry is made by a group of three to five participants, supported by one mentor, such as a university faculty member. The organisers specify ASEAN citizenship as a condition and invite students and academic collaborators from the region. Before beginning a concept, team leaders should verify the citizenship, study and mentoring rules on the official application portal. A solo developer or a group without a mentor should not assume its submission qualifies.
Immersive technology with a scientific purpose
Teams must design virtual environments that translate research related to sustainable development into experiences learners and visitors can understand. SIMPLE points to existing educational virtual worlds involving water, biodiversity, agriculture and mosquito-borne health challenges in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. The aim is not just attractive VR graphics but interactive scientific storytelling, educational value and a credible relationship to the underlying research.
Three phases through July 2027
The first phase runs through November 20 for registration and concept-note submission. Selected teams then develop their projects between December 1, 2026 and April 20, 2027, with support and training. Eleven qualifying teams advance beyond the first stage; they receive official IRD recognition and a fully sponsored one-week training programme in Hanoi. The Grand Finale is planned for July 2027, when selected finalist teams present their Virtual Universes to experts.
Prizes and support, correctly distinguished
The organisers say that three finalist teams compete for cash prizes and each receives VR equipment for their home institution. No exact cash amount is specified in the public IRD summary, so applicants should not assume a particular purse. Hanoi training sponsorship applies to the 11 teams selected beyond the initial round, not to every registered participant. Also confirm any visas, transport, equipment compatibility and local institutional responsibilities.
A traceable organiser and official portal
The French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) presents the programme through its institutional website and directs applicants to contest.project-simple.eu. Its past educational virtual-world projects are described by name, supporting a clear research basis for the competition. Questions go to contact@project-simple.eu. Register before November 20 through the official contest portal; details checked October 25, 2026.
Official source / 公式募集情報 / 主办方公告
Original organizer announcement and application: https://project-simple.eu/simple-opens-registration/