Call for Applications: 2026 Ando Foundation Young Carer Support Organization Awards

The Ando Foundation for Sports and Food Culture Promotion (Chairman: Hiroki Ando, hereinafter "Ando Foundation"), in collaboration with the Young Carer Association (Representative Director: Seigo Miyazaki), will newly implement the "Ando Foundation Young Carer Support Organization Awards."

■ Project Overview

Name: 2026 Ando Foundation Young Carer Support Organization Awards

Purpose:

Following the 2024 amendment to the Child and Youth Development Support Promotion Act, young carers are now explicitly recognized as targets for support by national and local governments. However, there are regional disparities in the spread of support systems and initiatives, with each organization undergoing trial and error.

Against this backdrop, this project aims to recognize excellent practices emerging in the field of young carer support, disseminate this knowledge widely, and create opportunities to deepen collaboration among support organizations, thereby broadening the base of support and facilitating smoother activities.

■ Eligible Applicants

Young carer support organizations and local governments

■ Eligible Activity Period

April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026

■ Categories and Awards

Young Carer Support Organization Category: Private organizations

Award

Grant

Other

Number of Awards

Grand Prize

1 million yen

Certificate of commendation, Optimized Nutrition Meals

2 organizations

Excellence Award

200,000 yen

Certificate of commendation, Optimized Nutrition Meals

5 organizations

Local Government Category: Prefectures and municipalities

Award

Other

Number of Awards

Local Government Excellence Award

Certificate of commendation, Optimized Nutrition Meals

3 to 5 organizations

■ Application Method

Please apply via the web application form (Google Form) on the Ando Foundation website or by filling out the prescribed format (Excel file) and attaching the required documents.

■ Application Period

June 8, 2026, to July 31, 2026

■ Screening Method and Results Announcement

Screening will be conducted by experts based on the application documents, and the winning organizations will be determined.

Results will be announced on the Ando Foundation website around late September 2026.

■ Awards Ceremony

Timing: Scheduled for December 2026 or January 2027

Venue: Ando Momofuku Invention Memorial Hall, Yokohama, 5th Floor Hall

■ Implementation Structure

Organizer: Ando Foundation for Sports and Food Culture Promotion

Manager: Young Carer Association

Supported by: Children and Families Agency

■ About the Ando Foundation for Sports and Food Culture Promotion

Based on the philosophy of its founder, Momofuku Ando, that "food and sports are the two wheels that support health," the Ando Foundation is dedicated to fostering the healthy physical and mental development of young people and improving societal well-being. Through five core programs—sports support, nature experience activities, food culture promotion, operation of the Invention Memorial Hall, and social welfare—it provides diverse learning and growth opportunities while also addressing new social challenges.

■ What are Optimized Nutrition Meals?

"Optimized Nutrition Meals" are foods in which major nutrients are appropriately and balancedly adjusted according to individual conditions such as age, gender, and lifestyle habits. The certification mark is only granted to products that fully meet the nutritional design standards registered with the Japan Optimized Nutrition Association.

Through its "Young Carer Food Support Project," the Ando Foundation delivers these Optimized Nutrition Meals to households with young carers. This helps reduce the burden on children's daily lives and supports them in securing the time and opportunities they need.