GENES IN SPACE TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last Updated: November 19, 2025

1. Introduction

Amplyus LLC (DBA miniPCR bio) (“Host”), and The Boeing Company (collectively the “Partners”), and Genes in Space Sponsoring Organizations (“Sponsors”) (Partners and Sponsors are collectively, the “Organizations”) provide and administer the Genes in Space Contest (the “Contest”). Host operates the Website located at www.genesinspace.org (the “Website”). By accessing the Website or submitting an entry to the Contest, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, our Privacy Policy and any and all additional rules and qualifications communicated to you regarding the Contest via other means. In the event of a conflict in terms, the most recent communication shall control. These Terms apply to all participants, parents and guardians, teachers, sponsors, mentors, and any other individuals who engage with the Contest or Website.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you should discontinue use of the Website and refrain from submitting an entry.

1. Eligibility
   1. The Contest is open to students who are enrolled in grades 7 through 12 and who reside in the United States or United States territories.
   2. Participants who are under 13 years of age must have an adult sponsor, such as a parent, guardian, or teacher, submit the entry on their behalf.
   3. Entries may be submitted by individual students or teams of up to two students. Each submission must include the name of an adult sponsor.
   4. Direct relatives of employees, contractors, or representatives of the Organizations are not eligible to participate in the Contest.
   5. Partners may verify the eligibility of participants at any time. Any entry that does not meet the eligibility or submission requirements may be disqualified.
2. User Conduct
   1. Users agree not to misuse the Website or interfere with its proper functioning.
   2. Users may not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Website or its systems.
   3. Users may not submit unlawful, harmful, misleading, inappropriate, or disruptive content.
   4. Users may not attempt to disrupt the Contest or gain an unfair advantage over other participants.
3. Original Work and Academic Integrity
   1. All submissions must be the original work of the entrant or entrants.
   2. The use of artificial intelligence systems, automated content generation tools, or similar technologies to create any part of a submission is not permitted.
   3. Any form of plagiarism, fabrication of information, or academic misconduct may result in immediate disqualification.
   4. Partners may determine whether work is non-compliant in their sole discretion.
   5. Entries must comply with all Contest rules including the Academic Integrity Code, and Eligibility criteria:

Academic Integrity Code for Genes in Space Contestants 

Genes in Space participants commit themselves to submitting proposals that are solely the work of their team. Participants will adhere to the scholarly standards for accurate attribution of sources and acknowledgement of the contributions of others to their work. Plagiarizing the ideas of others will disqualify Genes in Space submissions from being considered for an award. 

1. Intellectual Property
   1. By submitting an entry, participants grant the Organizations a non exclusive, royalty free, worldwide license to reproduce, adapt, publish, display, and share submissions for educational, promotional, and outreach purposes.
   2. No confidentiality or intellectual property protection is provided for ideas, concepts, proposals, or data submitted to the Contest. Participants who have concerns about intellectual property should avoid submitting proprietary or sensitive material.
2. Use of Names, Images, and Likenesses
   1. Participants, and parents or guardians when applicable, consent to the use of participant names, schools, likenesses, and any submitted work (regardless of the manner or medium) for promotional, educational, or outreach purposes.
   2. Promotional use may include publication on the Website, social media, printed materials, video recordings, and press releases.
   3. Consent may be withdrawn by written request sent to the Contest administrators. Withdrawal of consent may affect participation in the Contest.
3. Submission Requirements
   1. Entries must be submitted through the official electronic submission form available on the Website.
   2. Submissions must include all required information and must comply with the posted submission instructions and scoring criteria.
   3. Participants may be required to submit additional information including but not limited to a recorded video and presentation slides.
   4. Late, incomplete, incorrectly formatted, or otherwise non-compliant submissions may be rejected.
4. Disqualification
   1. Partners may disqualify any entry that violates these Terms or the official Contest rules.
   2. Submissions that are plagiarized, AI generated, fabricated, inauthentic, or otherwise improper may be disqualified.
   3. Partners may disqualify entries for any reason deemed necessary to preserve the integrity of the Contest.
5. Limitation of Liability
   1. The Website and Contest are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Organizations make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the operation of the Website or the Contest.
   2. Organizations are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or special damages arising out of participation in the Contest, submission of entries, or use of the Website.
   3. Participants agree to release and hold harmless Organizations from any claims, losses, damages, or liabilities arising from participation in the Contest.
   4. Organizations are not responsible for technology issues including internet outages, submission errors, file corruption, platform interruptions, or other technical problems that prevent a submission from being received or reviewed.
   5. Although it is the intent to offer awards, conference presentations, space launches, and other forms of recognition, all such opportunities are subject to change without notice and are not guaranteed.
6. Indemnification

Participants agree to indemnify and hold Organizations harmless from any claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising out of misuse of the Website, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any third-party rights.

1. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms and the Contest are governed by the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The parties agree to make good faith efforts to resolve any disputes that arise under these Terms of the Contest. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, it must be submitted to binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with its applicable rules. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the arbitration will take place in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Small claims matters may be brought in the appropriate small claims court.

1. Updates to the Terms

Partners may update these Terms at any time. The updated Terms will take effect upon posting on the Website with a revised “Last Updated” date.

1. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms, please contact:

Email: genesinspace@minipcr.com