ANRI x STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION Launch Second Term Recruitment for Young Researcher Grant Program
Venture Capital ANRI and STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F) have commenced recruitment for the second term fellows of their "Ippo no Boken ~IPPO Science Fellowship~" grant program for young researchers. Focusing primarily on the life science field, the program offers up to 2 million yen in research funding and diverse networking opportunities to support challenging research endeavors.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 20:00
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Venture Capital ANRI Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo: Representative Partner Anri Samata, hereinafter "ANRI") and General Incorporated Association STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (Yokohama City, Kanagawa: Representative Director Takanori Takebe, hereinafter "SS-F") announce the start of recruitment for the second term fellows of the "Ippo no Boken ~IPPO Science Fellowship~" grant program for young researchers.
This program targets next-generation young researchers primarily in the life science field who are engaged in challenging and socially impactful research. Along with the funding necessary for research promotion, ANRI and SS-F leverage their established networks to provide opportunities for interaction with researchers from different fields, business people, and investors, thereby supporting young researchers in accelerating their research while connecting with society.
Established in April 2025 as the "Nova Science Fellowship," the program has been rebranded this year as "Ippo no Boken ~ IPPO Science Fellowship~," and its official website has been completely revamped.
▼ Ippo no Boken ~IPPO Science Fellowship~ Official Website
Ippo no Boken Official Website
■ Thoughts on "Ippo no Boken ~IPPO Science Fellowship~"
Curiosity advances the world one step at a time.
Each daily step in research. One day, it will become a great step that moves the world forward. Through mutual stimulation of diverse expertise, wisdom takes form in this place. We support researchers who continue their journey without ceasing.
The "Nova Science Fellowship," which began recruiting its first term fellows in April 2025, selected five individuals after applications and selections from universities and research institutions nationwide.
Through one year of operation, connections were formed among the selected fellows through mentoring and exchange events, and opportunities for deep 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 advance these curious steps into great strides and to create a society where next-generation young researchers can accelerate their research while connecting with society.
▼ Activities of the 1st term fellows (meet-ups, exchange events, etc.)
■ What the program offers
・Grant of 1 million yen annually (up to 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
・Networking opportunities to broaden horizons through encounters with people from diverse fields and backgrounds
・Accompanying support for the next stage of research, including social implementation
・Priority participation rights in SS-F's specialized programs that support thesis writing and research dissemination
■ Program Overview
・Number of fellows to be adopted: 5 (planned)
・Grant amount: 1 million yen per person annually (up to 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
・Eligible candidates
・Degree requirements: PhD holders: Less than 8 years since PhD acquisition as of April 1, 2026
*Maternity leave/childcare leave can be deducted from the above years
・Affiliation/status: Must belong to a research institution in Japan during the program adoption period
(Research must also be conducted domestically)
・Other: Nationality not specified. However, ability to handle administrative tasks in Japanese is required.
Applicants must be able to manage their own visas and residence status.
・About the desired human resources
In this program, candidates' research potential and character will be comprehensively evaluated based on ANRI's vision of "Overwhelming Future" and SS-F's cherished value "Stellarness*".
*"Stellarness" is a term that describes the common qualities of researchers who possess not only excellent research ability but also a creative perspective, a collaborative attitude with others, and an attractive presence.
In this program, the selection process will particularly emphasize the following three perspectives:
① Future potential and originality of research
・Those who are engaged in themes with the potential to shape the future of science, regardless of whether they are applied or basic, primarily in the life science field.
・Those who can flexibly incorporate interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary ideas without being constrained by field boundaries.
・Those who are engaged in inquiry rooted in intellectual curiosity while also considering impact on real society.
② Independence of thought and willingness to challenge
・Those who can establish research themes based on their own ideas and autonomously advance their research.
・Those who do not overly rely on mentors or environment, and can think for themselves and move forward even when encountering difficulties.
・Those who have the attitude to continue challenging unknown territories without hesitation.
③ Attitude of co-creation with diverse human resources
・Those who wish to interact with researchers from different fields and colleagues both domestically and internationally, and create opportunities for new collaborations.
This program targets next-generation young researchers primarily in the life science field who are engaged in challenging and socially impactful research. Along with the funding necessary for research promotion, ANRI and SS-F leverage their established networks to provide opportunities for interaction with researchers from different fields, business people, and investors, thereby supporting young researchers in accelerating their research while connecting with society.
Established in April 2025 as the "Nova Science Fellowship," the program has been rebranded this year as "Ippo no Boken ~ IPPO Science Fellowship~," and its official website has been completely revamped.
▼ Ippo no Boken ~IPPO Science Fellowship~ Official Website
Ippo no Boken Official Website
■ Thoughts on "Ippo no Boken ~IPPO Science Fellowship~"
Curiosity advances the world one step at a time.
Each daily step in research. One day, it will become a great step that moves the world forward. Through mutual stimulation of diverse expertise, wisdom takes form in this place. We support researchers who continue their journey without ceasing.
The "Nova Science Fellowship," which began recruiting its first term fellows in April 2025, selected five individuals after applications and selections from universities and research institutions nationwide.
Through one year of operation, connections were formed among the selected fellows through mentoring and exchange events, and opportunities for deep 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 advance these curious steps into great strides and to create a society where next-generation young researchers can accelerate their research while connecting with society.
▼ Activities of the 1st term fellows (meet-ups, exchange events, etc.)
■ What the program offers
・Grant of 1 million yen annually (up to 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
・Networking opportunities to broaden horizons through encounters with people from diverse fields and backgrounds
・Accompanying support for the next stage of research, including social implementation
・Priority participation rights in SS-F's specialized programs that support thesis writing and research dissemination
■ Program Overview
・Number of fellows to be adopted: 5 (planned)
・Grant amount: 1 million yen per person annually (up to 2 million yen over a maximum of 2 years)
・Eligible candidates
・Degree requirements: PhD holders: Less than 8 years since PhD acquisition as of April 1, 2026
*Maternity leave/childcare leave can be deducted from the above years
・Affiliation/status: Must belong to a research institution in Japan during the program adoption period
(Research must also be conducted domestically)
・Other: Nationality not specified. However, ability to handle administrative tasks in Japanese is required.
Applicants must be able to manage their own visas and residence status.
・About the desired human resources
In this program, candidates' research potential and character will be comprehensively evaluated based on ANRI's vision of "Overwhelming Future" and SS-F's cherished value "Stellarness*".
*"Stellarness" is a term that describes the common qualities of researchers who possess not only excellent research ability but also a creative perspective, a collaborative attitude with others, and an attractive presence.
In this program, the selection process will particularly emphasize the following three perspectives:
① Future potential and originality of research
・Those who are engaged in themes with the potential to shape the future of science, regardless of whether they are applied or basic, primarily in the life science field.
・Those who can flexibly incorporate interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary ideas without being constrained by field boundaries.
・Those who are engaged in inquiry rooted in intellectual curiosity while also considering impact on real society.
② Independence of thought and willingness to challenge
・Those who can establish research themes based on their own ideas and autonomously advance their research.
・Those who do not overly rely on mentors or environment, and can think for themselves and move forward even when encountering difficulties.
・Those who have the attitude to continue challenging unknown territories without hesitation.
③ Attitude of co-creation with diverse human resources
・Those who wish to interact with researchers from different fields and colleagues both domestically and internationally, and create opportunities for new collaborations.