Earth-Back Thinking™
Imagine from Mars to act on Earth.
Presentations · questions · prototypes · meetings between teams.
The Grand Jam 2026 · 4th International Edition
The Grand Jam 2026
Mars Challenge 2026 international final · Getafe, Madrid
Getafe, capital of Mars.
The future
isn't awaited.
It's conquered.
Young people from different countries present, defend and develop solutions to real problems on Earth — using Mars as the extreme context to think differently.
Discover how it worksRequest free accessLimited capacity
In-person event · Free participation · limited spots
Strategic partners
Participating countries
Colombia
Costa Rica
Spain
Guatemala
Mexico
Peru
Portugal
Puerto Rico
A final that is not limited to choosing a winner
Three days to put ideas to the test
3 days. Different countries. One shared mission.
True Heroes
The future has a face, a name and a story to tell
The Grand Jam is not built around institutions, stages or prizes. It is built around young people able to investigate the unknown, work with others and recognise that their decisions can have real consequences.
Participants · Projects
Solutions built from real questions
Confirmed teams are already researching, testing and defending their proposals. These are some of the questions they're answering.
PeruMARS-BIOLOP
Extracting resources without wasting water
How do you make use of Mars's resources without generating new waste in the process?
Chihuahua, MexicoSOPORÍ UPARÉAME
Growing better starts with understanding the soil
How do you keep an agricultural system stable when every drop of water and every soil change matters?
The Grand Jam · Global Voices
Invited human references.
Astronauts, scientists, thinkers, explorers and public leaders are invited to share experience and meet a generation already building the future.
Luis Lizcano
Director General, FEMIA (Federación Mexicana de la Industria Aeroespacial)
Confirmed guest
Adelino Sousa
Founder, Mars Challenge · Executive Director, Virtual Educa
Confirmed guest
Rosa Doran
President, NUCLIO (Núcleo de Interatividade em Astronomia e Inovação em Educação)
Confirmed guest
Erik Antonsen
Human health architect in space
Confirmed guest
Moises Bernardo
Executive Director, NO HUMAN B
Confirmed guest
Jorge Antón Jornet
President · Virtual Educa
Confirmed guest
Francisco Hugo Gutiérrez Dávila
Secretary of Education of Chihuahua
Confirmed guest
Katya Echazarreta
Mexican astronaut
Confirmed guest
All currently published guests are confirmed. Consult the programme for timings and access conditions.
International awards & recognition
Dubai
London
United States
United States
Global trust · Some of the universities
Partnerships · Sponsoring brands
Brands that make The Grand Jam possible
These brands support The Grand Jam and help create the space where a new generation can present, experience, meet and build.
Partnerships · Collaborating organisations
Organisations walking with us
The Grand Jam isn't built from a single place. Educational, scientific, social and institutional organisations collaborate by contributing knowledge, experience and new perspectives to a shared mission.
There is no single way to take part
The future also needs those who choose to make it possible
The Grand Jam connects young people, institutions, companies, professionals and communities that share one conviction: new generations should not only prepare for the future; they should help build it.
01
I want to take part in 2027
For young people, teams and institutions interested in the next edition.
02I want to experience The Grand Jam
For those who wish to attend the International Final.
03I want to contribute
Volunteering, evaluation and professional contribution.
04My organisation wants to be an ally
Universities, companies, public bodies and organisations.
We are not waiting for the future.
We have already started building it.
Enter The Grand JamOrganisers: Mars Challenge · Virtual Educa. Free access, subject to selection and confirmation by the organisers. The young protagonists featured on this page take part with their teams; all currently published guests are confirmed.
Questions about the 2026 final
What is The Grand Jam 2026?
The Grand Jam 2026 is the international final of Mars Challenge 2026. It is scheduled for 3–5 November 2026 in Getafe, Community of Madrid, Spain. Teams present projects, create together and connect the experience on Mars with solutions for Earth.
How do I request access?
Access is in person and subject to selection. Submitting a request does not guarantee a place or constitute confirmed accreditation.
Are the agenda and people confirmed?
The agenda, profiles and venues come from the edition’s working programme. All currently published guests are confirmed; timings and access conditions may be updated. Check the organisers’ final instructions before travelling.
Where are the 2026 results?
The 2026 results have not been announced yet. They will be published after the official decision and authorisation by the organisers.
3–5 November 2026 in Getafe. 3 and 5 November: Teatro Federico García Lorca, C. Ramón y Cajal, 22. 4 November: Teatro Calle Madrid, C. Madrid, 54. Venues · Programme schedule