Junior Advisory Board

BEYOND EARTH: DESIGNING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Designing the systems that could make humanity’s next chapter possible.

The future of humanity may extend beyond Earth. But building a sustainable human presence on another planet is one of the greatest engineering challenges imaginable.

From energy and robotics to materials, AI, transportation, food, water and habitat design, making life on another planet possible will require different technologies and disciplines to work together.

As a JAB 2027 participant, you will explore how engineering can bring together different technologies to solve complex challenges, navigate difficult trade-offs, and design solutions for environments where resources are limited and failure is not an option.

The question is not simply whether we can reach another planet. It is whether we can make a future there possible.

PARTICIPANTS
15 High school students graduating between November 2027 and June 2028, starting university in 2028.

(Junior Year / 11th Grade students).
DATES
March 14th - 20th, 2027.

Application deadline: December 15th, 2026
Application opening: October 12th, 2026
FORMAT
Face to Face. (Madrid & Segovia, Spain)
LANGUAGE
English.
APPLICATION FEE & COSTS
None. Fully covered by IE University (visa costs are not included).

JUNIOR ADVISORY BOARD 2027

Our Jabbers will participate in engaging and enriching workshops, interactive sessions, and teambuilding projects led by our faculty. It is an incredible opportunity to contribute ideas and develop tools for a better next generation.

Additionally, participants will gain the opportunity to get an award for the duration of their bachelor’s degree at IE University*.

*Award granted upon successfully completing the IE University admission process and securing an offer, starting in September 2028, to pursue any undergraduate degree at IE University.

REGISTRATION

Designing solutions that could make humanity’s next chapter possible.

Imagine that humanity is preparing to establish its first permanent settlement on Mars. Making life beyond Earth possible will require us to overcome complex challenges and bring together different technologies in new ways.

To apply, you must submit a four/five-minute video pitch supported by a presentation choosing to address one of the following scenarios:

A stunning view of Earth from space, showcasing its curvature and illuminated cities against a starry backdrop.

Required documents:

CV
Academic transcripts from the last 2 years
Letter of recommendation

Scenario 1. The Longest Night
A settlement of 100 people on Mars suddenly loses 60% of its normal energy supply. A severe dust storm has reduced solar generation, and repairs to the main system will take 30 days. No immediate assistance can arrive from Earth.
Design an energy system and emergency plan that can keep the settlement operating until full power is restored.
Your proposal should explain:
How energy would normally be generated, stored and distributed.
Which essential systems would continue receiving power.
Which activities would be reduced, postponed or stopped.
How the system would monitor demand and prevent a complete shutdown.
How different energy sources or technologies could support one another.
What would happen if another important component failed during the emergency.
Scenario 2. Stranded on Mars
A supply vehicle carrying food, medical equipment and replacement parts has landed 20 kilometers away from the settlement. The terrain between the landing site and the settlement is unknown, and sending people to retrieve it would be dangerous.
Design a system that can locate, reach and recover the supplies without putting the crew at unnecessary risk.
Your proposal should explain:
How the system would study and navigate the terrain.
How it would travel, manage energy and transport the supplies.
Which tasks would be controlled by humans and which could be autonomous.
How it would continue operating if communication were interrupted.
How it would respond if its planned route became impossible.
How the system could be repaired or rescued if it became stranded.
Scenario 3. Ice Is Not Water
Evidence suggests that frozen water exists beneath the surface near a proposed Mars settlement. However, its exact location, depth, quantity and purity are unknown.
Design a system that could locate, extract, purify, store and distribute enough water to support the settlement.
Your proposal should explain:
How you would determine where usable water is located.
How robots, sensors or other technologies would extract it.
How the water would be purified and tested.
How you would minimise energy use, contamination and water loss.
How your system would respond if the ice were deeper, dirtier or scarcer than expected.
Scenario 4. The Air Is Escaping
Sensors detect that the Mars settlement is slowly losing air, but the location and cause of the leak are unknown. The settlement consists of several connected modules, and evacuating the entire base is not possible.
Design a system that can detect, isolate and repair the leak while keeping the crew safe.
Your proposal should explain:
How the system would identify where air is escaping.
How it would determine whether the leak was caused by structural damage, equipment failure or human error.
How damaged areas would be isolated without shutting down the entire settlement.
Whether robots, drones or humans would carry out the repair.
Which materials or technologies could be used to seal the damage.
How essential levels of oxygen, pressure and temperature would be maintained.
How the system would respond if several leaks appeared at the same time.
The evaluation will consider your ability to organize ideas, think critically, be creative, and communicate effectively. The style, creativity, and format of the presentation are entirely up to you.
**The only requirement for the proposal is that you must use both screen and camera modes.**