ComoNe: A Collaborative Studio Where You Can Put Down Roots in What You Love
For children and adults.
For science and art. For people and nature.
For engineers and novelists.
For the universe and the cell.
What happens when things that would not normally be expected to meet come together, overlap, and interact at ComoNe?
What if you brought your own activities into this space?
Why not bring your passion to ComoNe?
What Is ComoNe?
Common Nexus, affectionately known as ComoNe, is a collaborative space operated by the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System. Located directly next to Nagoya Daigaku Subway Station, it opened in July 2025.
ComoNe is an open space for exploration that welcomes everyone—not only students, faculty, and staff from Nagoya University and Gifu University, but also local residents, children, and people from all walks of life.
Through a wide range of facilities and programs spanning diverse fields, ComoNe supports connections across generations and disciplines, fostering new interactions and creating new value.
▼ Visit the official website
https://comone.thers.ac.jp/en/
What Is the NenoNe Program?
The NenoNe Program invites applications for exploratory projects driven by your own curiosity.
“I have something I want to pursue outside my major or day-to-day work!”
“I want to start something as an experiment.”
“I want to share what I’m doing and see how people respond!”
We’re looking for curious people who have these kinds of interests.
Selected teams can use ComoNe as their everyday base for activities.
For three months, selected teams can use ComoNe as a base for their activities, with free access to the member areas (LOUNGE 1–3) and digital fabrication equipment.
Selected teams will also have access to Project Material, a stall-style exhibition booth where they can showcase their activities; COMOGOMO Meetings, where they can exchange ideas and receive advice from experts; and opportunities to present their outcomes through interim presentations and COMO no ICHI.
We invite you to take your explorations further at ComoNe.
Benefits of the NenoNe Program for Selected Participants
Use ComoNe as a Base for Your Activities
You can use the member areas (LOUNGE*) free of charge.
During opening hours, you can use ComoNe as your workspace whenever you like.
*For details about the LOUNGE, please refer to the floor map on the ComoNe website: https://comone.thers.ac.jp/en
Free Access to Digital Fabrication Equipment
You can use digital fabrication equipment, including 3D printers, laser cutters, and embroidery machines, free of charge.*
Before using the equipment, you must attend a paid FAB training session.
You may not bring your own 3D printer filament.
Please bring your own materials for other fabrication processes.
Exhibit and Present Your Activities Regularly
We provide a stall-style exhibition booth called Project Material, where you can showcase your activities on an experimental basis.
By receiving feedback from visitors to ComoNe, you can further develop and refine your activities.
Exhibition period: From the start of your activities until 18:30 on Saturday, April 10, 2027.
Use ComoNe as a Venue for Events
Once a month, you can use spaces within ComoNe free of charge for member-organized events. This applies to spaces other than the member-only LOUNGE areas.*
Use these spaces for events, workshops, team meetings, or team activities open to the public.
*Free events can be held in spaces other than SINTOKOGIO SAND THEATER, LOAM HALL, and KITCHEN. Available spaces include KOAGARI, the ROOTS BOOKS area, and LOUNGE 1, which can accommodate approximately 30 people.
Present Your Project at ComoNe
During the program, you will have three opportunities to present your activities: an initial presentation of your plans and goals, an interim presentation, and a final presentation of your results.
Presentations and events
1. COMO no ICHI #06 will be held over two days.
- Friday, January 8, 2027: Final presentations by NenoNe Program #06 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, January 9, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
2. NenoNe Program #07 Interim Presentation
- Saturday, February 20, 2027, 13:00–15:00 (tentative)
3. COMO no ICHI #07 will be held over two days.
- Friday, April 9, 2027: Final presentations by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, April 10, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #08 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
Support for Sharing Your Activities
We will help promote your activities through ComoNe's official website and social media channels.
- Website: https://comone.thers.ac.jp/en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/common_nexus/
- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Common_Nexus
- Peatix: https://comone.peatix.com/
- note: https://note.com/common_nexus
Meet People from Diverse Fields Through the COMOGOMO Meetings
Through the COMOGOMO Meetings, a program organized by ComoNe, you will have opportunities to receive advice on your activities and projects from experts in a variety of fields who participate as ComoNe Ambassadors.
Learn more about ComoNe Ambassadors: https://comone.thers.ac.jp/en/commons/
ComoNe also brings together a diverse range of people, including researchers, artists, business professionals, children, and adults. We support interaction and networking among participants, Through new encounters and dialogue, we create opportunities to expand your activities and foster co-creation.
Scheduled dates for the COMOGOMO Meetings
- Wednesday, January 20, 2027, 18:30–20:30
- Wednesday, February 17, 2027, 18:30–20:30
- Wednesday, March 17, 2027, 18:30–20:30
An Opportunity to Extend Your Activity Period
Project Material exhibition period
From the start of your activities until 18:30 on Saturday, April 10, 2027.*
*Please note that the exhibition period is subject to change.
Presentations and events
1. COMO no ICHI #06 will be held over two days.
- Friday, January 8, 2027: Results presentations by NenoNe Program #06 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, January 9, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
2. NenoNe Program #07 Interim Project Presentation
- Saturday, February 20, 2027, 13:00–15:00 (tentative)
3. COMO no ICHI #07 will be held over two days.
- Friday, April 9, 2027: Results presentations by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, April 10, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #08 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
Throughout the program, visitors will have opportunities to learn about the projects through their ongoing activities, exhibitions, interim presentations, and presentations at COMO no ICHI, and to vote for the projects they would most like to support.
The voting results will be tallied, and the recipient of the NenoNe Program #07 Special Award will be selected at COMO no ICHI on Saturday, April 10, 2027.
The project receiving the NenoNe Program #07 Special Award will be granted the right to extend its activities for the next program period (April–June 2027).
Each project may receive this extension opportunity only once. A project cannot receive the award in two consecutive program cycles.
Connect with Other Program Participants
Communication with the secretariat and other project teams takes place through collaboration tools such as Slack and Notion.
Dedicated spaces on Slack and Notion allow members to share updates on their activities and information about upcoming events, helping them deepen their relationships and build new connections.
We also regularly organize small, members-only events, including study sessions and social gatherings, providing opportunities to connect both online and in person.
Connect with Visitors Through LINE Open Chat
The secretariat will create a dedicated LINE Open Chat for each selected project.
These open chats provide a space where project members and visitors can connect online, share information about their activities, and exchange ideas.
Visitors can join each open chat by scanning the QR code on the project information sign attached to the Project Material stall-style exhibition booth.
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What Is Expected of Selected Projects
1. Present Your Plans and Goals at the Start of the Program
At COMO no ICHI, held at the beginning of the program period, you are required to present your planned activities and goals.
COMO no ICHI #06 will be held over two days.
- Friday, January 8, 2027: final presentations by NenoNe Program #06 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, January 9, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
2. Attend Monthly Meetings with the Secretariat
You are required to meet with the Common Nexus secretariat once a month to share progress and discuss any questions or challenges related to your activities.
3. Make Use of Your Exhibition Space
Throughout the three-month program, you are expected to actively use the exhibition space assigned to your project to showcase the process of your activities and your outcomes.
4. Participate in Events Organized by the Secretariat
You are required to participate in events organized by the Common Nexus secretariat, including the interim presentation, COMO no ICHI, and the COMOGOMO Meetings.
NenoNe Program #07 Interim Project Presentation
- Saturday, February 20, 2027, 13:00–15:00 (tentative)
COMOGOMO Meetings
- Wednesday, January 20, 2027, 18:30–20:30
- Wednesday, February 17, 2027, 18:30–20:30
- Wednesday, March 17, 2027, 18:30–20:30
5. Use ComoNe Actively
You are expected to make regular use of ComoNe's facilities and continue to update your activities.
6. Share Information About Your Activities
Whenever you update your project or organize an event, you are expected to actively share information about it.
7. Present Your Results at the End of the Program
At COMO no ICHI, held before the end of the program period, you are required to present the results of your activities.
COMO no ICHI #07 will be held over two days.
- Friday, April 9, 2027: final presentations by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, April 10, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #08 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
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Application Guidelines
How to Apply
Applications for this open call must be submitted through AWRD.
The information submitted in your application will be shared only with parties involved with ComoNe, including ComoNe staff at Loftwork Inc., which is contracted to provide services to ComoNe. It will not be used for any projects or purposes unrelated to ComoNe.
▼ Explore projects selected for NenoNe Program #01–#06
https://awrd.com/en/series/nenone
Application Period
Thursday, September 24 – Wednesday, November 4, 2026, until 23:59 JST
Selection Period
Thursday, November 5 – Monday, November 30, 2026
Results Announcement
Mid-December 2026 (planned)
Program Period
Monday, January 4, 2027 – Saturday, April 10, 2027
A kickoff meeting is planned for late December 2026.
Information Required for the Application
Project Image
Please attach an image that conveys the concept of your project, such as a conceptual image or a photo of a prototype.
Project Title and Description
Please provide the project title and describe what you would like to work on.
In your description, please explain in detail:
- What do you want to explore?
- Why do you want to explore it?
- How do you plan to explore it?
Project Schedule
Please describe how you plan to carry out your project over the three-month period, including the steps involved and the expected outputs.
This information will not be made public.
Team Members and Their Roles
Please list the team members who will carry out the project and describe their respective roles.
Teams may consist of up to five members, including the project leader. Applications from individuals are also welcome.
This information will not be made public.
For details, please refer to the application form.
Eligibility
Anyone is welcome to apply.
- All students, faculty, and staff of the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, as well as companies, organizations, informal groups, and individuals, are eligible to apply.
- There are no restrictions on the scale or genre of the proposed activities.
- Previous awardees may not reapply with a project that is identical in content to their previously selected project.
- Applicants must be able to actively use ComoNe as their base for activities.
Selection Criteria
The Common Nexus Program Committee will evaluate applications comprehensively based on the following criteria:
- Applicants identify with ComoNe's concept and demonstrate a willingness to engage actively across disciplines.
Applicants are expected to update their activities multiple times during the three-month program period, rather than conduct a one-time activity.
- If selected, applicants must be able to carry out their regular activities at ComoNe and participate in programs and events organized by the ComoNe secretariat, including Como no Ichi*, the interim project presentation**, and the Komogomo Meetings***.
- Applicants must exhibit their work in the Project Material stall-style exhibition booth and update the display as their activities progress.
- Applicants must be able to participate actively in events organized by the ComoNe secretariat.
Please note that a project’s selection may be revoked if its activities are conducted at an extremely low frequency or if the ComoNe secretariat is unable to contact the project team.
1. COMO no ICHI #06 will be held over two days.
- Friday, January 8, 2027: final presentations by NenoNe Program #06 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, January 9, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
2. NenoNe Program #07 Interim Project Presentation
- Saturday, February 20, 2027, 13:00–15:00 (tentative)
3. COMOGOMO Meetings
- Wednesday, January 20, 2027, 18:30–20:30
- Wednesday, February 17, 2027, 18:30–20:30
- Wednesday, March 17, 2027, 18:30–20:30
4. COMO no ICHI #07 Como no Ichi will be held over two days.
- Friday, April 9, 2027: final presentations by NenoNe Program #07 participants + Event Day (planned for the evening)
- Saturday, April 10, 2027: Presentations of plans and goals by NenoNe Program #08 participants + Event Day (planned throughout the day)
For details about the COMOGOMO Meetings and COMO no ICHI, please refer to the “Benefits for Selected Participants” section.
Application-to-Program Timeline
Results Announcement
The results will be announced on this AWRD page in mid-December 2026.
NenoNe Program Information Sessions
ComoNe will hold information sessions for those interested in applying to the NenoNe Program.
NenoNe Program Information Sessions https://nenone07.peatix.com/
- Session 1: Friday, October 16, 13:00–14:00
- Session 2: Saturday, October 17, 13:00–14:00
- Session 3: Friday, October 23, 19:00–20:00
- Session 4: Saturday, October 24, 13:00–14:00
- Session 5: Saturday, October 31, 17:00–18:00
Venue: Grand Staircase, Common Nexus, Tokai National Higher Education and Research System
Selection Committee
To be announced once confirmed.
FAQ
Q. Can I apply on my own?
A. Yes. Applications are open to students, faculty, and staff across the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System, as well as companies, organizations, informal groups, and individuals. There are no restrictions on affiliation or organizational status. Teams may consist of up to five members, and individuals may apply on their own.
Q. Are participants selected by lottery?
A. No. Projects are selected through a review process. The Common Nexus Program Committee evaluates applications comprehensively based on the following criteria:
- Applicants identify with ComoNe's concept and demonstrate a willingness to engage actively across disciplines.
Applicants are expected to update their activities multiple times during the three-month program period, rather than conduct a one-time activity.
Q. Do I need to be involved in research or art to apply?
A. No. There are no restrictions on the scale or genre of your activities.
Do you have something you want to pursue outside your major or regular work? Want to try something experimentally? Want to try something new on an experimental basis?
We welcome curious people who feel this way.
Q. I would like to involve additional support members besides the project representative. Is that possible?
A. Anyone who may use the facilities or participate in opportunities to interact with others or receive other support offered through the NenoNe Program should be listed as a project member on the application form.
Q. Who are the ComoNe Ambassadors who can provide advice?
A. Please visit the ComoNe website for information about the ambassadors:
https://comone.thers.ac.jp/en/commons/
Q. Can I bring my own equipment into the FAB SPACE?
A. This depends on the equipment. Please describe the equipment you would like to bring in the application form so that we can discuss it with you.
Q. Can I charge participants a fee for a hands-on workshop?
A. Please consult the secretariat about collecting fees to cover material costs and similar expenses.
Charging fees beyond the cost of materials is generally not possible within the benefits provided to selected NenoNe Program participants. In such cases, a separate venue reservation or other arrangements will be required.
