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 support programs
Program Outline
- Number of Fellows: 5 individuals per year (Pilot in FY2025)
- Grant: 1 million JPY per year (up to 2 years)
- Eligibility:
- PhD awarded within 8 years as of April 1, 2025
(maternity/paternity leave not counted toward this limit) - Affiliation with a research institution in Japan during fellowship
- Open to all nationalities (must be able to handle administrative tasks in Japanese)
- Applicants must be able to manage their own visa/residency status
- PhD awarded within 8 years as of April 1, 2025
Candidate Profile
This fellowship assesses applicants based on ANRI’s vision of “Make the Future AWESOME” and SS-F’s core value of “Stellarness”—a quality reflecting intellectual creativity, collaborative spirit, and personal presence.
The selection process emphasizes three criteria:
- Research Potential and Originality
- Topics with positive scientific and societal potential in any area of life sciences
- Research that embraces interdisciplinary or unconventional approaches
- Independent Thinking and Willingness to Challenge
- Ability to independently design and pursue research ideas
- Demonstrated resilience in the face of scientific challenges
- Collaborative Mindset
- Desire to initiate cross-field collaboration and broaden societal connections
Selection Process
- Phase 1: Document screening
- Phase 2: Video screening
- Final Round: In-person interview (in Tokyo)
Application Timeline
- Open: April 25, 2025
- Deadline: May 30, 2025
- Phase 1 Review: Early–Late June 2025
- Phase 2 Review: Mid July–Early August 2025
- Final Interviews: September 2, 2025
- Fellows Announced: Early September 2025
How to Apply
Submit all required documents (application form, CV, letter of recommendation) through the dedicated website by May 30, 2025.
Website: https://nova-sf.jp
Voices from Program Founders
Yusuke Miyazaki, Ph.D. (Senior Principal, ANRI)
At ANRI, we have supported students conducting basic scientific research through our initiative The ANRI Fellowship since 2019. Most recently, we launched a new initiative, the ANRI Humanities Scholarship, to support research across broader domains.
In my own journey navigating research in both Japan and the U.S., I was fortunate to encounter not only engaging research topics but also a vibrant network of peers, mentors, and collaborators. These relationships expanded not only my understanding of science but also opened up new perspectives and possibilities in my own life.
This led me to wonder—could we create a platform where more researchers, especially in the early stages of their careers, can forge such meaningful connections? Around that time, I encountered SS-F, and from that meeting, the idea for the Nova Science Fellowship began to take shape.
Now, I’m truly delighted that we are finally able to share this initiative with the world. I look forward to building this program together with our partners and enabling young researchers to explore freely and soar boldly.
Hodaka Kokeguchi (Co-founder, SS-F)
At SS-F, we’ve spent years cultivating a community of outstanding researchers from diverse disciplines. Through dialogue and collaboration, we’ve aimed to nurture the emergence of new ideas and expand the frontiers of knowledge. We believe that realizing the full potential of science—and delivering that impact to society—requires environments where researchers can connect beyond their specialties and encounter truly diverse perspectives.
The launch of the Nova Science Fellowship in collaboration with ANRI is an exciting step forward in this mission. It represents a new challenge: to help the next generation of researchers connect with society from an early stage and to walk a path informed by real-world perspectives.
It’s an immense privilege to work alongside ANRI, an organization that has long supported young talent in various forms. Together, we hope to help early-career researchers deepen their inquiry, engage with diverse communities, and create new bridges between science and society.
Through this fellowship, we aim to cultivate the kind of people-centric research ecosystem that SS-F stands for.
About ANRI
ANRI is a Japan-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage startup investments. Operating since 2012, ANRI manages 5 flagship funds and the climate-focused ANRI GREEN fund, with approximately 78 billion JPY under management. It has a strong presence in internet, deeptech, and university-originated startups.
Website: https://anri.vc
About SS-F
STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F) is a Japan-based non-profit aiming to promote sustainable breakthroughs in science through a “People-Centric” approach. SS-F builds ecosystems where scientists, entrepreneurs, editors, and investors can collaborate across institutions and disciplines.
Website: https://ss-f.org
Contact
Program Inquiries
Nova Science Fellowship Secretariat
E-mail: nsf@anri.vc
Press Inquiries
STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Marketing & Communications
Contact: Fujiwara / Terushita
E-mail: marcomm@ss-f.org
