FY2024 Application Guidelines for Academic Research Grants(Natural Sciences Division)
Mishima Kaiun Memorial Foundation
The Mishima Kaiun Memorial Foundation (hereafter, “the Foundation”) provides academic research
grants with the purpose of supporting outstanding research in the natural sciences and humanities thatshows promise for future development. We look forward to active applications from young researchersand female researchers in both the natural sciences and humanities departments.
1. Eligible fields
Natural sciences division: Academic research on food science
Academic research on food science means research on foodingredients, manufacturing, processing, preparation, fermentation anduse of microorganisms, nutrition, preferences, physiological functions,food safety, disease prevention, etc.
2. Types of grants and details(1) Types of grants
The Foundation’s academic research grants are classified into two types: “individual researchgrants” and “joint research grants.”(A) Individual research grant
These grants are awarded to an individual researcher who applies for the grant to engage in an
individual research project. However, this does not prevent the researcher who applies fromhaving co-researchers.
(B) Joint research grant
These grants are intended for joint research on a common theme conducted by researchers frommultiple research institutes or different departments, and are awarded to joint research groups.
(Please note that the application forms for individual research grants and joint research grants
are different.)(2) Grant amount and number of grants(A) Individual research grant
1 million yen per grant, approximately 80 grants in total for both divisions (about 80 million
yen in total / FY2023 results: 80 million yen)
(We aim to have female researchers and doctoral students account for at least 30% of the total
number of grants.)(B) Joint research grant
2 million yen to 5 million yen per grant, approximately 6 to 7 grants in total for both divisions(about 60 million yen in total / FY2023 results: 30 million yen)
(3) Period of grant
In principle, one year (from July 2024 to June 2025)
3. Eligibility(A) Individual research grant(1) Researchers residing in Japan (regardless of nationality) and Japanese researchers residingoverseas(2) The researchers include those enrolled in a graduate school doctoral course (or graduate
students enrolled in an equivalent course). Please note, however, that those enrolled in a
graduate school master's course aren’t eligible to apply.
1(3) Researchers who are under 45 years old (as of April 1, 2024). However, in the following cases,
you can apply even if you are over 45 or more years old.
i. Graduate school doctoral course students.
ii. Researchers who have completed their doctoral degree less than 8 years ago. (This includes
those who have completed their doctoral degree for less than 8 years, excluding the periodof prenatal/postnatal leave and childcare leave taken after obtaining their doctoral degree.)(If you do not meet the conditions in (3), we recommend applying for the "Joint researchgrant".)(4) English may be used on the application form, but the title of the research proposal must be
written in Japanese. The applicant must be able to respond to our communications in Japanese.
(B) Joint research grant(1) The applicant must be the principal investigator of the joint research project.
The principal investigator must represent a research organization in which researchers frommultiple research institutions or different departments work together on a common researchtheme, and must be able to take responsibility for promoting and organizing the plan.
(2) The principal investigator must belong to a university or research institution in Japan. Coresearchers can be of any nationality or affiliated with any research institution (including
overseas research institutions).
(3) There are no age restrictions. However, those in the master's program of graduate school,including joint researchers, are not eligible.
(4) One co-researcher must belong to an external research institution or department different fromthat of the principal investigator.
(5) In principle, there must be at least one co-researcher with a research budget of at least 1
million yen.
4. Notes on eligibility(1) A person cannot apply for both the individual research grant and the joint research grant ofthe Foundation.
(2) The representative researcher and co-researchers of the "Joint research grant" cannot join theco-researchers of other "Joint research grants."(3) Those who have received academic awards or grants from the Foundation in FY2021 or laterare not eligible to apply. In addition, co-researchers under the joint research grant are also noteligible to apply.
(4) Those who have received grants from other private foundations for the same or similar
research projects during the period of the Foundation's grant are not eligible to apply.
(5) Please do not apply if you are a representative of a large research project (total amount of 20
million yen or more excluding indirect costs) funded by a public grant (e.g., Grant-in-Aid for
Scientific Research, etc.).
(6) The “Individual research grant” cannot be applied to if the total amount of private and publicgrants in a single year, excluding indirect expenses, is 10 million yen or more.
(7) If, after receiving an informal offer for this grant, you decide to receive a public or otherprivate foundation grant mentioned above, please inform us and refrain from receiving thisgrant.
(8) Those who are affiliated with a private company or who plan to start working at a
privatecompany during the grant period are not eligible to apply. Furthermore, those on joint
research projects whose members include co-researchers who are affiliated with a privatecompany are not eligible to apply.

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5. Nominators(1) Applicants must obtain the recommendation of the head of the department (head of affiliation)or an equivalent person at the applicant's institution of affiliation.
i. University: dean of the faculty, dean of the graduate school, or dean of the research institute(or president in the case of a college)ii. Heads of public research institutes and other non-private research institutions
iii. In the case of graduate students, academic advisors are also acceptable.
(2) Nominators of individual research grant may recommend multiple applicants.
The number of joint research grants is limited to one per nominator.
6. Expenses to be covered by the grant(1) Expenses directly necessary for the research
In principle, indirect expenses and general administrative expenses (overheads) of the research
institute or laboratory as a whole are not covered.
(2) In the event that a researcher transfers to another research institute or organization, the grant willbe transferred to the new research institute or organization as a research grant to the researcher.
7. Research not eligible for funding(1) Research for commercial purposes or research that is highly likely to lead to commercialization(2) Research commissioned by other organizations(3) Research that has already been substantially completed
8. How to apply
Please apply via the online system (Research Grant Application System) on the Foundation'swebsite (https//:www.mishima-kaiun.or.jp). The web system will be accessible from January 10,2024. For details on how to apply, please refer to the “Application Procedures” section of thewebsite.
9. Application period
January 10, 2024 (Wed.) - February 29, 2024 (Thu.)
10. Method of selection
Applicants will undergo screening by a selection committee consisting of academic members of theFoundation, and the Board of Directors will make a final decision on successful applicants.
11. Selection criteria
Selection will be made with emphasis on the following points:(A) Individual research grant(1) Research that is deemed to be in high demand from an academic or social standpoint(2) Research that is highly original and has the potential to become a springboard for otherresearch(3) Research with a well-developed research plan and high potential for achieving its objectives(4) Research for which it is difficult to obtain government or corporate subsidies or grants, andwhich is in line with the objectives of the Foundation's activities(5) Exploratory research by young researchers(B) Joint research grant
In addition to (1) through (5) above,(6) Joint research by researchers from multiple research institutions or different departments(7) Grants must be appropriately allocated to co-researchers.
312. Notification of selection results
Applicants will be notified of the selection results by mid-June 2024. The results will also beannounced on the Foundation's website.
Please note that we will not be able to respond to questions regarding the reasons for selection.
13. Presentation of grants
The grant will be paid into the recipient’s designated bank account (by bank transfer) by early July
2024. A presentation ceremony is scheduled to be held in early July.
14. Tax exemption for grants
The Foundation's grants are exempt from income tax in accordance with the Ministry of Finance
Announcement No. 96 dated October 17, 1969.
15. Reporting of research results, etc.
(1) By July 20, 2025, after the expiration of the grant period, recipients are required to submit a
research report (“Research Report” and “Summary of Research Results”) and an
income/expenditure report.
(2) The submitted research reports will be edited and digitally archived at the Foundation. Asummary of research results will be published in the Annual Report and on the Foundation'swebsite. In addition to the above, research reports and research summaries will be submitted tothe Japan Science and Technology Agency, the National Diet Library, and other organizations.
(3) When presenting the results of grant-funded research (in the form of a paper or orally), therecipient will be asked to clearly indicate that the research was supported by the Foundation.
(4) For the principal investigator of “Joint research grant”, recipients are required to participate inand report at a debriefing session to be held in the fall of the year in which the research periodexpires.
(5) Extension of the grant period is possible for those who take maternity or childcare leave during
the grant period. Extension may also be granted depending on the circumstances of the research.
16. Other(1) Handling of personal informationi. Personal information provided on the application form will be handled appropriately within thescope of its use in accordance with the Foundation's Privacy Policy.
ii. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Foundation will obtain the prior consent of theindividual when providing personal information to a third party.
(2) If necessary, please refer to “Academic Research Grants: Frequently Asked Questions” on theFoundation's website.
17. Inquiries
Mishima Kaiun Memorial Foundation
Giraffa Building, 1-6-10 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012, Japan
Tel: 03-5422-9898 Fax: 03-5422-9733
E-mail: mishimak15@mishima-kaiun.or.jp

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