Supporting Female STEM Students: 'Masako Fund STEAM Girls Program' Launches in Ishikawa

Supporting Female STEM Students: 'Masako Fund STEAM Girls Program' Launches in Ishikawa

On May 22, 2026, the Hokuriku Mirai Foundation (Kanazawa, Ishikawa; Representative Director: Mikiko Nagai) announced the establishment of the 'Masako Fund STEAM Girls Program.' This dedicated fund aims to bridge the gender gap in the Hokuriku region and foster a diverse society by providing holistic support to female students interested in STEM fields (including interdisciplinary arts and sciences).

The fund was established as an endowment at the foundation, proposed by Professor Masako Osuna of the Kanazawa Institute of Technology's Industry-University Cooperation Office. As part of an investment in regional DX and human capital, the program provides a combination of 'STEM Girls Experience Programs' (corporate visits) and non-repayable scholarships to middle school, high school, and college students in Ishikawa Prefecture, supporting their career development from their school years.

*STEAM: An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It is a next-generation talent development framework that integrates design and creativity into traditional STEM education.

### Background and Purpose In the Hokuriku region, particularly in Ishikawa Prefecture, where the manufacturing industry is prevalent, managerial and leadership positions often require technical knowledge. However, unconscious bias—such as the notion that 'girls are not suited for science and math'—remains deeply ingrained, creating structural barriers to women's career choices. The fund was created to eliminate these barriers and aim for a diverse and vibrant society that young people and women will want to return to or newly inhabit.

### 2026 Fiscal Year Schedule

#### 1. STEM Girls Experience Program (Career Support) Provides opportunities to visit workplaces of leading female engineers, architects, and researchers in the region, helping students imagine their future careers. Travel subsidies are available for participants from the Noto region. - Application Period: May 22, 2026 (Fri) – June 30, 2026 (Mon) - Participating Companies (Planned): Ura Architectural Research Institute, Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd., CCI Group (Hokuriku Bank), NEC Solution Innovators, Ltd.

#### 2. Scholarship Program for Middle and High School Girls - Target: 3rd-year junior high students aiming for science/industrial high schools or technical colleges in Ishikawa, or 1st-year high school students choosing STEM courses (participation in the experience program is a condition). - Amount/Capacity: 100,000 JPY (non-repayable) / Approx. 30 students per year. - Application Period: Sept 1, 2026 (Tue) – Jan 15, 2027 (Fri).

### Contact - Official Website: https://hokuriku-mf.jp/ - Special Website: https://masako-fund.hokuriku-mf.jp/ - Email: masako-fund@hokuriku-mf.jp