ANRI x STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION Launch Second Round of Young Researcher Grant Fellowship Applications
ANRI Co., Ltd. and STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION have announced the start of applications for the second cohort of their "IPPO Science Fellowship" grant program for young researchers. This program provides funding and diverse networking opportunities to young researchers primarily in the life science field, aiming to accelerate socially impactful research.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 22:16 (10h 44m after Collected)
Venture Capital ANRI Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo: Representative Partner Anri Samata, hereinafter "ANRI") and STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (Stella Science Foundation, Location: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director: Takanori Takebe, hereinafter "SS-F") are pleased to announce the start of applications for the second cohort of the "IPPO Science Fellowship" grant program for young researchers.
This program targets the next generation of young researchers, primarily in the life science field, who are engaged in challenging and socially impactful research. In addition to providing necessary funds for research promotion, the program leverages the networks built by ANRI and SS-F to offer opportunities for exchange with researchers from different fields, businesspersons, investors, and more, thereby supporting young researchers to accelerate their research while connecting with society.
Established in April 2025 as the "Nova Science Fellowship", the program has been rebranded this year as the "IPPO Science Fellowship" with a completely revamped official website.
IPPO Science Fellowship Official Website:
https://ippo-fellowship.jp
■ Our Vision for "IPPO Science Fellowship"
Curiosity advances the world step by step.
Each step of research accumulated day by day. Someday, that step will become a great stride that advances the world. Where diverse expertise stimulates each other, wisdom takes form. We support researchers who never stop their progress today.
"Nova Science Fellowship", which began recruiting its first cohort in April 2025, selected 5 individuals through applications and selections from universities and research institutions nationwide.
Over one year of operation, connections among the selected fellows were fostered through mentoring and exchange events, and opportunities for deepening interaction with many people from different fields and industries emerged within the diverse communities of SS-F and ANRI.
We aim to support researchers who turn this initial step of curiosity into a great stride, and to create a society where the next generation of young researchers can accelerate their research while connecting with society.
Activities of the first cohort (meetups, exchange events, etc.)
■ What the program offers
- A grant of 1 million yen per year (up to 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
- Networking opportunities to broaden perspectives through encounters with people from diverse fields and backgrounds
- Accompaniment support for the next stage of research, with an eye towards social implementation
- Priority participation in SS-F's specialized programs to support thesis writing and research dissemination
■ Program Overview
Number of Recipients: 5 (planned)
Grant Amount: 1 million yen per person per year (maximum 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
Eligibility:
- Degree requirements: PhD holders: Less than 8 years after obtaining a PhD as of April 1, 2026.
- *Maternity leave, childcare leave, etc., can be deducted from the above years.
- Affiliation/Status: Must be affiliated with a research institution in Japan during the program's adoption period (research also conducted in Japan).
- Others: Nationality is not questioned. However, ability to handle administrative tasks in Japanese is required.
- Applicants must manage their own visa and residence status.
About the Ideal Candidate:
In this program, we will holistically evaluate candidates' research potential and personality based on ANRI's vision of an "Overwhelming Future" and SS-F's cherished value of "Stellarness*".
*"Stellarness" is a term that describes the common qualities of researchers who possess not only excellent research capabilities, but also a creative perspective, a collaborative attitude with others, and a captivating presence.
In this program, we particularly emphasize the following three perspectives in the selection process:
1. Future Potential and Originality of Research
- Those who are engaged in themes with the potential to shape the future of science, regardless of applied or basic research, primarily in the life science field.
- Those who can flexibly incorporate interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary ideas without being constrained by field boundaries.
- Those who pursue inquiry rooted in intellectual curiosity, alongside a focus on real-world impact.
2. Independence of Thought and Will to Challenge
- Those who can establish research themes based on their own ideas and autonomously advance their research.
- Those who can think for themselves and move forward when faced with difficulties, without relying too much on mentors or their environment.
- Those who have the attitude to continuously challenge unknown areas without fear.
3. Collaborative Attitude with Diverse Talent
- Those who want to interact with researchers from different fields and colleagues both domestically and internationally, creating opportunities for new collaborations.
- Those who do not confine themselves to their own research but also look at their relationships with other researchers and society.
This program targets the next generation of young researchers, primarily in the life science field, who are engaged in challenging and socially impactful research. In addition to providing necessary funds for research promotion, the program leverages the networks built by ANRI and SS-F to offer opportunities for exchange with researchers from different fields, businesspersons, investors, and more, thereby supporting young researchers to accelerate their research while connecting with society.
Established in April 2025 as the "Nova Science Fellowship", the program has been rebranded this year as the "IPPO Science Fellowship" with a completely revamped official website.
IPPO Science Fellowship Official Website:
https://ippo-fellowship.jp
■ Our Vision for "IPPO Science Fellowship"
Curiosity advances the world step by step.
Each step of research accumulated day by day. Someday, that step will become a great stride that advances the world. Where diverse expertise stimulates each other, wisdom takes form. We support researchers who never stop their progress today.
"Nova Science Fellowship", which began recruiting its first cohort in April 2025, selected 5 individuals through applications and selections from universities and research institutions nationwide.
Over one year of operation, connections among the selected fellows were fostered through mentoring and exchange events, and opportunities for deepening interaction with many people from different fields and industries emerged within the diverse communities of SS-F and ANRI.
We aim to support researchers who turn this initial step of curiosity into a great stride, and to create a society where the next generation of young researchers can accelerate their research while connecting with society.
Activities of the first cohort (meetups, exchange events, etc.)
■ What the program offers
- A grant of 1 million yen per year (up to 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
- Networking opportunities to broaden perspectives through encounters with people from diverse fields and backgrounds
- Accompaniment support for the next stage of research, with an eye towards social implementation
- Priority participation in SS-F's specialized programs to support thesis writing and research dissemination
■ Program Overview
Number of Recipients: 5 (planned)
Grant Amount: 1 million yen per person per year (maximum 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
Eligibility:
- Degree requirements: PhD holders: Less than 8 years after obtaining a PhD as of April 1, 2026.
- *Maternity leave, childcare leave, etc., can be deducted from the above years.
- Affiliation/Status: Must be affiliated with a research institution in Japan during the program's adoption period (research also conducted in Japan).
- Others: Nationality is not questioned. However, ability to handle administrative tasks in Japanese is required.
- Applicants must manage their own visa and residence status.
About the Ideal Candidate:
In this program, we will holistically evaluate candidates' research potential and personality based on ANRI's vision of an "Overwhelming Future" and SS-F's cherished value of "Stellarness*".
*"Stellarness" is a term that describes the common qualities of researchers who possess not only excellent research capabilities, but also a creative perspective, a collaborative attitude with others, and a captivating presence.
In this program, we particularly emphasize the following three perspectives in the selection process:
1. Future Potential and Originality of Research
- Those who are engaged in themes with the potential to shape the future of science, regardless of applied or basic research, primarily in the life science field.
- Those who can flexibly incorporate interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary ideas without being constrained by field boundaries.
- Those who pursue inquiry rooted in intellectual curiosity, alongside a focus on real-world impact.
2. Independence of Thought and Will to Challenge
- Those who can establish research themes based on their own ideas and autonomously advance their research.
- Those who can think for themselves and move forward when faced with difficulties, without relying too much on mentors or their environment.
- Those who have the attitude to continuously challenge unknown areas without fear.
3. Collaborative Attitude with Diverse Talent
- Those who want to interact with researchers from different fields and colleagues both domestically and internationally, creating opportunities for new collaborations.
- Those who do not confine themselves to their own research but also look at their relationships with other researchers and society.