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[Press Release] Stellar Science Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network Announce Selection of 10 Outstanding Early-Career Postdocs for Global Challenge

Announcing the Inaugural Cohort of the Japan–U.S. Fellowship Program The Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F, Tokyo, Japan; President: Dr. Takanori Takebe), in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network (CZ Biohub Network, San Francisco, California, USA; led by Dr. Amy Herr), is pleased to announce the selection of the first cohort of fellows for the Global Science Scholars — SS-F & CZ Biohub Network Program (hereafter “the Program”). A total of 10 early-career postdoctoral researchers have been awarded fellowships (4 from Japan to the U.S. and 6 from the U.S. to Japan). The Program provides up to two years of fellowship support, including annual funding of approximately JPY 10 million (USD ~70,000). Fellows will be hosted at leading laboratories in Japan and the United States, where they will pursue cutting-edge research with global impact. Through international exchange, mentorship, and networking opportunities, the fellows will advance research that bridges discovery and real-world applications. This Program is part of initiatives promoting the Cabinet Secretariat’s Global Startup Campus Initiative and aligns with the Cabinet Office Fellowship Program Survey for Strengthening the Startup Ecosystem (Note…
TerushitaMasame
2025/10/08
Press Release

【Press Release】Five Fellows Selected for the Inaugural Nova Science Fellowship

SS-F × ANRI launch a new grant program to support the next generation of researchers ANRI Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Partner: Anri Samata, hereafter “ANRI”) and the Stellar Science Foundation (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Takunori Takebe, hereafter “SS-F”) are pleased to announce the selection of five inaugural fellows for the newly established Nova Science Fellowship, a grant program designed to support early-career researchers. About the Nova Science Fellowship The Nova Science Fellowship is a new initiative that supports early-career researchers, particularly in the life sciences, who are pursuing ambitious and socially impactful research. Each fellow will receive a research grant of 1 million JPY per year (up to 2 million JPY for a maximum of two years), along with opportunities to engage with researchers, business leaders, and investors through the networks of ANRI and SS-F. Fellows will also be invited to participate in specialized programs that support research communication and outreach. The program aims not only to provide research funding, but also to empower young researchers to rise as new “Novas” by fostering encounters with diverse…
TerushitaMasame
2025/09/30
FeaturedPress Release

[Press Release] SS-F × ANRI Launch of “Nova Science Fellowship” to Support the Next Generation of Emerging Researchers

In April 2025, ANRI Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Managing Partner: Anri Samata, hereinafter “ANRI”), a venture capital firm driving social transformation through startup investment, and the STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Founder/ Representative Director: Takanori Takebe, hereinafter “SS-F”), an organization fostering a cross-disciplinary research ecosystem to spark new discoveries and innovations, jointly launch the Nova Science Fellowship, a new grant program supporting the growth and influence of emerging researchers. The Nova Science Fellowship targets emerging researchers —called “Nova” researchers—who are conducting ambitious, socially and scientifically impactful research primarily in the life sciences. The program offers not only funding, but also networking opportunities with researchers from other fields, entrepreneurs, and investors via the networks built by ANRI and SS-F. This aims to help researchers deepen their engagement with society and accelerate their academic journeys like a nova bursting into brilliance. Program Highlights Annual grant of 1 million JPY (up to 2 million JPY over 2 years) Opportunities for interdisciplinary networking to expand research perspectives Accompanied support for social implementation and transition to next research stages Priority access to SS-F’s publication and other…
TerushitaMasame
2025/04/25
FeaturedPress Release

[Press Release] Applications Now Open for the Global Science Scholars SS-F&CZ Network Program

December 18, 2024 — STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F, headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Takayuki Takebe) announced today the launch of the Global Science Scholars – SS-F & CZ Biohub Network Program (hereafter, "the Program") in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network (CZ Biohub Network, headquartered in San Francisco, California, Representative: Amy Herr). This program offers exchange opportunities for early-career researchers from Japan and the United States. It aims to support researchers at the beginning stages of their careers by providing a two-year fellowship that fosters innovative research environments.   【Program Overview】 This Program is part of initiatives promoting the Cabinet Secretariat's Global Startup Campus Initiative and aligns with the Cabinet Office Fellowship Program Survey for Strengthening the Startup Ecosystem (Note 1). The collaboration between SS-F and CZ Biohub Network aims to strengthen an ecosystem dedicated to creating and supporting startups rooted in research and development. Selected fellows are expected to contribute to the advancement of impactful research with potential for societal application through research exchanges between top-tier research institutions in Japan and the United States. SS-F is a…
TerushitaMasame
2024/12/18
NewsPress Release

[Press Release]Stellar Science Foundation and Fujitsu form partnership agreement to foster innovation by supporting young researchers

Kawasaki and Tokyo, September 19, 2024 - Fujitsu Limited*1 (Fujitsu) and Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F), a General Incorporated Association*2 have entered into a partnership focused on discovering and supporting the next generation of scientific researchers and fostering the creation of cutting-edge research topics. Through this partnership, Fujitsu will contribute funds to SS-F to support the creation of a unique scientific research ecosystem that promotes collaboration and interaction among researchers. Additionally, the partnership will support the development of young researchers by facilitating exchange between the SS-F researcher community, already engaged in innovative discoveries and inventions, and Fujitsu’s researchers, engineers, and business unit. This initiative will further drive joint technological research and innovation. Since its establishment in 2021 SS-F has been actively working to build an ecosystem based on the "People-Centric" philosophy, aiming to foster connections and exchange between individual researchers across corporate, organizational, and disciplinary boundaries, continuously generating new research focuses and discoveries. Fujitsu, a global leader in advanced technological fields such as quantum computing and AI, operates Fujitsu Research, home to numerous researchers. In addition to supporting the development of…
Superpress
2024/09/19
NewsPress Release

[Press Release]Otsuka Holdings and Yamato Scientific Join as SS-F Supporting Members from FY 2024

Supporting the construction of a people-centric scientific research community and accelerating challenging research The Stellar Science Foundation (SS-F), headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and represented byFounder/ Representative Director, Takanori Takebe, is pleased to announce that Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tatsuo Higuchi, hereinafter "Otsuka Holdings") and Yamato Scientific Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Chief Executive Officer: Satoshi Morikawa, hereinafter "Yamato Scientific") have joined SS-F as supporting members (SS-F supporters) from FY 2024. About SS-F Supporting Members (SS-F Supporters) At SS-F, we aim to build a research ecosystem where world-changing inventions (discoveries and inventions) are sustainably created. To achieve this, we believe it is essential to foster a "people-centric" scientific research community where people from different fields and industries can connect with mutual respect and trust. Specifically, we are working to create a unique SS-F environment that enables next-generation researchers to engage in free and challenging research by providing them with opportunities for serendipitous encounters and collaborations with diverse talents. This initiative is driven by three key pillars: ● Collision & Collaboration: Fostering connections and interactions between people by discovering original…
Superpress
2024/04/23
NewsPress Release

[Press Release]STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION and Mitsui Fudosan Begin Collaborating to Discover and Support Next-Generation Scientific Researchers

Building an Ecosystem for Disruptive Discoveries and Inventions   The General Incorporated Association STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (hereinafter referred to as "SS-F"), located in Setagaya, Tokyo, (Chairman: Takanori Takebe), and Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Mitsui Fudosan"), located in Chuo, Tokyo, (President and CEO: Masanobu Komoda), will collaborate on activities for the discovery and support of the next-generation of researchers. Mitsui Fudosan will fully back SS-F's initiatives. Both organizations will work together to establish an environment that allows researchers to tackle challenging themes with creative freedom.   Main Collaboration Activities Comprehensive Support for Research Activities in the Field of Science SS-F will provide promising researchers with support programs, including assistance with academic paper publication and operational planning, providing events for cross-disciplinary exchange, opportunities to build networks with investors and the industrial sector, and assistance in streamlining non-research related tasks. Mitsui Fudosan will fully support SS-F's activities by providing "space," "opportunities," and "funding."   2. Building an Ecosystem for New Industry Creation in the Kannai Area of Yokohama Activities are planned to center around a new industry creation hub…
Superpress
2022/03/10
NewsPress Release

[Press Release]Announcement of the Establishment of the General Incorporated Association STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F)

– Building a Research Ecosystem for Disruptive Discoveries and Inventions by Outstanding Next-Generation Researchers – We are pleased to announce that the General Incorporated Association STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (Stellar Science Foundation, hereinafter referred to as SS-F) was established and has commenced activities as of December 20, 2021. SS-F aims to create a framework that leads to the generation of disruptive discoveries and inventions by identifying and fully supporting outstanding next-generation researchers in all aspects of their research activities.   Background For many years, Japan led global research as a major science and technology powerhouse. However, in the face of increasingly intense global competition in research, concerns are growing over the decline in Japan’s international standing in research activities, as evidenced by a drop in Japan's ranking in the number of highly cited papers, a key indicator of international influence in research*. Additionally, many Japanese researchers are seeking richer research environments abroad, further contributing to this decline. To enhance Japan's international competitiveness in the scientific field moving forward, it is essential to empower the next generation of researchers. To this end,…
Superpress
2021/12/20