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 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 (Note 2).
The inaugural call for applications ran from December 17, 2024, to May 27, 2025, attracting a highly competitive pool of outstanding young scientists from both countries. Following a rigorous and impartial review, 10 fellows were selected.
Evaluation was conducted by a distinguished international panel of world-renowned scientists, including Steven Quake (Stanford University / Head of Science at CZI), Amy Herr (UC Berkeley), Hiroaki Kitano (OIST), Shingo Kajimura (Harvard University), and Yukiko Yamashita (MIT), ensuring academic excellence and fairness throughout the process.
*(1) This program is conducted as part of the Cabinet Secretariat’s “Global Startup Campus Initiative” and the Cabinet Office’s “Study on Fellowship Programs to Strengthen the Startup Ecosystem.” SS-F serves as the project’s implementing partner through Arc Communications, responsible for the planning and execution of the program.
*(2) Fellows selected from Japan will be hosted at laboratories within partner universities of the CZ Biohub Network, which include nine leading institutions such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley, UCSF, the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Columbia University, Rockefeller University, and Yale University. Among them, five (Stanford, UC Berkeley, Yale, University of Chicago, and Columbia) are ranked within the global top 20 according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
【Fellowship Awardees and Host Laboratories】
【Comments from the Review Committee】
Amy E. Herr, Ph.D. （Vice President, CZ Biohub Network）
Science is a pursuit without borders. When talented individuals work side by side, they can drive new breakthroughs in understanding cellular mechanisms and advancing disease research. We are proud that this fellowship enables universities in Japan and the CZ Biohub Network to join hands and contribute to the global scientific community.
Shingo Kajimura, Ph.D. (Professor, Harvard University)
I have witnessed many young researchers grow tremendously by immersing themselves in international environments. This fellowship provides an invaluable opportunity for Japanese postdoctoral fellows to learn at the forefront of global science and to engage with diverse peers. The perspectives and networks gained will not only elevate each researcher’s career but also serve as a driving force for the advancement of Japanese science as a whole.
【Future Outlook】
This Program is conducted under the framework of the Cabinet Secretariat’s “Global Startup Campus” initiative and the Cabinet Office’s “Fellowship Program Research for Strengthening the Startup Ecosystem.” Moving forward, SS-F and the CZ Biohub Network will continue to support U.S.–Japan research exchanges, fostering the creation of next-generation innovations.
Contact Information
Stellar Science Foundation
Public Relations: Ms. Fujiwara, Ms. Terushita
Email: marcomm@ss-f.org
Inquiries accepted in Japanese and English (JP/EN)
