ANRI, an independent venture capital firm based in Minato-ku, Tokyo (Representative Managing Partner: Anri Samata, “ANRI”), and STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F), a general incorporated association based in Yokohama, Kanagawa (Representative Director: Takanori Takebe), are pleased to announce the five researchers selected for the second cohort of their jointly operated grant program for young researchers, IPPO Science Fellowship.
The program launched in 2025 as the “Nova Science Fellowship,” with five young researchers selected for the first cohort. In 2026, the program was relaunched under the new name of IPPO Science Fellowship. In addition to providing research funding, the program supports young researchers in taking their research further by creating opportunities to connect with people from different fields and industries and engage with society.
For the second cohort, five researchers were selected following a comprehensive evaluation focused primarily on the life sciences, taking into consideration the future potential and originality of their research, their willingness to explore unknown areas, and their approach to collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds.
Second Cohort Fellows
Mami Kato
Affiliation
Cellular Interconnective Medical Science, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
Research Topic
Elucidating the mechanisms of maternal remodeling by placenta-derived exosomes
Comment
Thank you very much for selecting me for this fellowship. I aim to uncover how “exosomes,” small information carriers released by the placenta during pregnancy, change the maternal body. By elucidating new physiological mechanisms that support pregnancy and childbirth, I hope to contribute to the healthy birth of new lives.
Shunsuke Chuma
Affiliation
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Research Topic
Elucidating the mechanisms underlying intracellular temperature signaling and regulation mediated by microtubules
Comment
I am deeply grateful to have been selected. Research into intracellular temperature is still full of mysteries, but I believe it has the potential to contribute to our understanding of life and to advances in medicine. I will use the foundation’s support as a driving force as I pursue “interesting research that opens up the future,” while enjoying opportunities for collaboration and exchange with people from different fields.
Kazuhiro Horii
Affiliation
Division of Biophysics and Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University
Research Topic
Exploring the diversity of sound perception mechanisms through the ears of lizards
Comment
Have you ever looked closely at a lizard’s ear? Do lizards, too, have sounds they find pleasant, or conditions similar to hearing loss? Through basic research focused on hearing across different organisms, I hope to contribute to a future in which both people and animals can live happier lives. I am once again deeply grateful for this valuable opportunity.
Manal Saeed Awadallah Abdel Aal
Affiliation
Laboratory for Distributed Cognitive Processing, RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS)
Research Topic
Perception without sensory input? Exploring the nature of hallucination-like perception
Comment
By connecting my clinical experience as a psychiatrist with neuroscience, I will investigate how the brain distinguishes information from the external world from internally generated information, and how it constructs our perception of reality. I aim to clarify the mechanisms underlying hallucinations and delusions and contribute to the development of new approaches to diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders.
Hiroyuki Kanaya
Affiliation
Institute of Integrated Research and Innovation, Institute of Science Tokyo
Research Topic
Can we create an organism that is resilient to sleep deprivation?
Comment
I am deeply honored to have been selected. My motto is to conduct research by asking new questions that no one has asked before. Through this fellowship, I will explore the question: Can we create an organism that can function without sleep? I hope to offer a new perspective on a modern society where sleep deprivation is widespread.
About IPPO Science Fellowship
IPPO Science Fellowship is a grant program that supports the next generation of young researchers working on challenging research with social impact, primarily in the life sciences.
Each selected researcher receives an annual research grant of ¥1 million, for up to two years and a maximum of ¥2 million. The program also provides opportunities to connect with a diverse range of people, including researchers from other fields, business professionals, and investors, through networks developed by ANRI and SS-F.
In addition, the program provides ongoing support aimed at helping researchers take the next step in their work, including research communication and translation of research into practical applications.
During the first cohort, which began in 2025, fellows not only connected with and received mentoring from one another, but also developed new relationships with researchers from other fields, business professionals, investors, and others through the SS-F and ANRI communities.
For the second cohort, we will continue to support each researcher in taking a new step driven by their own curiosity and connecting that step to their next challenge, supporting both their research activities and the possibilities that lie beyond them.
Selection Process
The program evaluated applicants from multiple perspectives, considering not only their research capabilities but also the future potential and originality of their research themes, independence of thought, willingness to take on unexplored areas, and approach to collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds.
The selection process consisted of three stages: application screening, video screening, and final selection.
Researchers representing various fields, including SS-F’s “Stellar Inventors,” as well as members of ANRI, participated in the evaluation. They assessed each candidate comprehensively, considering both the potential of their research and the individual behind it.
※SS-F calls researchers who pursue ambitious scientific research with exceptionally original perspectives and vision as “Stellar Inventors.”
Program Overview
- Program Name
一歩の冒研 ~ IPPO Science Fellowship ~ - Organizers
ANRI Inc. / STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION - Second Cohort
5 researchers - Grant Amount
¥1 million per person per year (up to two years, maximum ¥2 million) - Eligibility
Young researchers conducting challenging research with social impact, primarily in the life sciences - Main Support Provided
- Research grants of ¥1 million per year, up to two years and a maximum of ¥2 million
- Networking opportunities with people from diverse fields and backgrounds
- Ongoing support for the next stage of research, including consideration of practical applications
- Priority access to SS-F’s specialized programs supporting academic paper writing and research communication
Official Website
https://ippo-fellowship.jp
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 STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (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
IPPO Science Fellowship Secretariat
E-mail: nsf@anri.vc
