Niigata University and Oisix's New Degree Program "Food Tech Innovation Program (Tentative Name)" Selected for NEDO Support Project

Oisix Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Kohei Takashima, hereinafter "Oisix"), a provider of subscription services for food, and National University Corporation Niigata University (Location: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, President: Toshiyuki Someya, hereinafter "Niigata University") are jointly preparing to establish a new degree program (contract department) at the Niigata University Graduate School, titled "Food Tech Innovation Program (Tentative Name, scheduled to be established in April 2028).

On July 7, 2026 (Tue), the proposal including this contract department was selected for NEDO's (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) "Deep Tech Startup Support Fund / Project for Establishing Large-Scale Industry-Academia Collaboration Hubs in the Era of Closer Proximity Between Science and Business."

Background and Significance of NEDO Project Selection

NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) is a public organization that supports technological development and innovation to strengthen Japan's industrial competitiveness and solve social issues.

In recent years, the nature of science and technology and innovation has undergone significant changes, ushering in an era of "closer proximity between science and business" where not only nations but also industries (businesses) actively invest in science. In such an era, for Japan to maintain its competitiveness, it is strongly required that universities, the "source of knowledge" for innovation, collaborate with industries, which have extensive experience in the social implementation of research results, to jointly create new value and foster next-generation human resources.

Against this backdrop, NEDO is implementing a support project aimed at expanding the base of industry-academia collaboration, forming industry-academia collaboration hubs, creating deep tech startups, fostering advanced human resources who will lead next-generation innovation, and contributing to the creation of new industries. This project called for research themes, including initiatives for new degree programs "contract departments" established and operated collaboratively by industry and academia to nurture human resources capable of succeeding in industry.

The "Food Tech Innovation Program (Tentative Name)" being jointly established by Niigata University and Oisix will be a pioneering domestic example based on the "Contract Department System" promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The program selected for this project was evaluated for its approach to research and development with clear targets for future commercialization and practical application in collaboration between industry and academia, as well as for its construction of a practical curriculum based on the defined human resource profile. This program was selected from these perspectives.

About the "Food Tech Innovation Program (Tentative Name)"

Amidst the increasing complexity and visibility of social issues surrounding food, such as climate change, food security, and health challenges, and with various technological developments underway, Japan's "food technology," including its ancient fermentation techniques, is attracting significant global attention. Currently, food tech is positioned as one of the "17 Strategic Fields" in the Japanese government's growth strategy. In an era where science and business are closely linked, human resource development through collaboration between universities and industries is an indispensable initiative that will determine Japan's competitiveness and lead to the resolution of many social issues.

In this context, Oisix and Niigata University have jointly promoted the establishment of the "Food Tech Innovation Program (Tentative Name)" to nurture individuals who can simultaneously drive the resolution of social issues and industrial innovation. With plans for future enrollment expansion, the aim is to produce over 100 advanced professionals who will pioneer the future of food globally by 2035.

Overview of the Food Tech Innovation Program (Tentative Name) (all are planned)

Name: Niigata University Graduate School of Science and Technology Food Tech Innovation Program (Tentative Name)

Establishment Period: April 2028

Course and Capacity: Doctoral Program (Master's Program) 2 years / 10 students per year

Target Audience: Recent graduates, working professionals, domestic and international students

Location

1. New hub specializing in food tech to be established in the Niigata city center (within "Niigata 2km") (Chuo-ku, Niigata City) 2. Niigata University Gakushin Campus "Food and Health Innovation Hub" (Nishi-ku, Niigata City)

About National University Corporation Niigata University

As a large-scale comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, National University Corporation Niigata University has played a regional hub role with a long history. In recent years, it has undergone major reforms as a research university, having been consecutively selected for three major national projects (J-PEAKS, FLAGs, and the Regional University and Regional Industry Creation Grant Program). The "Food and Health" domain, in particular, overlaps with these three projects and the recently selected "Project for Establishing Large-Scale Industry-Academia Collaboration Hubs in the Era of Closer Proximity Between Science and Business," and is advancing research capabilities based on interdisciplinary comprehensive knowledge as a university-wide priority area. Based on collaboration with the regional food industry and local governments, it promotes the formation of hubs through industry-academia-government co-creation, the social implementation of research results, and the nurturing of practical, advanced specialized human resources.

About Oisix Co., Ltd.

Oisix Co., Ltd. provides regular delivery services for safe and secure agricultural products and meal kits through its major domestic brands "Oisix," "Radishbo-ya," and "Daichi wo Mamoru Kai." Its subsidiaries include "Shidax Food Service," which operates catering services for elderly care facilities, hospitals, childcare facilities, and corporate cafeterias; "Tokushimaru," a mobile supermarket for shoppers with limited mobility; and "Purple Carrot," which offers plant-based meal kits in the United States, expanding services that solve social issues related to food. Furthermore, as a "Sustainable Retailer," it engages in SDGs initiatives, aiming for zero food loss throughout the supply chain, from farm to table, through demand forecasting based on its subscription model, active utilization of imperfect produce, and meal kits that reduce food waste at home.