“The Kurata Grants” is a research fund for the advancement of science and technology in Japa, proposed by and established with a donation from the late Chikara Kurata, the second President of Hitachi, Ltd.n proposed by and established with a donation from the second President of Hitachi, Ltd., the late Chikara Kurata, in 1967. By 2025, we had presented a total of 2.7 billion JPY in grants to 1,696 researchers. Many of the recipients have made great achievements and are active at the forefront of their fields as researchers and educators.
While upholding the ideals of the late Chikara Kurata, we currently offer grants to research in the natural sciences, engineering, humanities, and the social sciences related to highly technological societies carried out by the next generation of researchers working to solve global social problems. We are contributing to the realization of a future sustainable society.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a researcher affiliated with a university, an affiliated research facility, a technical college, or a research institution in Japan that is eligible to apply for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI), excluding for-profit enterprises. Graduate students are eligible to apply. This is an open call for applications.
- A Letter of Recommendation from the head of the institution of affiliation (President, Chancellor, Dean of the graduate school, Dean of faculty, Chairperson, Director of a research institute, immediate superior, etc.) is required. There is no limit to the number of recommendations.
- There are no restrictions on nationality. However, applicants must be expected to maintain a continuous research base in Japan until the end of the research period.
- Natural Sciences and Engineering: must be 45 or younger as of April 1 in the application year.
Humanities and Social Sciences: no age restrictions. - The applicant must agree to the contents of Application Guidelines Section 14: Important Notes.
Grant Categories
| Category | Natural Sciences and Engineering | Humanities and Social Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Research Area | Creative and pioneering research by young researchers (age of 45 or under) which contributes to the solution of social challenges from an international perspective. Applications can be made in the three areas below and specific examples can be found in the separate Application Guidelines. Ⅰ. Energy and the Environment Ⅱ. Urban Development and Transportation Ⅲ. Healthcare |
The following types of research are eligible that analyzing societal transformations brought about by advances in science and technology and the background of the complex and interconnected issues from the perspective of humanities and social sciences (society, literature, history, philosophy, ethics, law, economy, psychology, culture/art, and etc.) and exploring the meaning and value of the development of science and technology. The Application Guidelines provide examples of eligible research. (Research utilizing science and technology as a method is not eligible.) |
| Grant Amount | (One Year Grants) Maximum of 1,000,000 JPY per grant (Two Year Grants) Maximum of 3,000,000 JPY per grant |
Maximum of 1,000,000 JPY per grant |
| Number of Grants | Approximately 35 grants. (including around 6–7 for two-year research) |
Approximately 10-12 grants. |
| Research Period | One or two years (selected during application) | One year |
Expenses Covered
Direct expenses for achieving a research objective. However, the following expenses are excluded.
- Indirect expenses for maintaining the general research environment of the affiliated institution
- Personnel costs corresponding to the wages of the principal and collaborating researchers
Selection
A selection committee of outside experts will conduct a review based on the submitted documents.
Schedule
Application Method
Applications can be made online via an open call.
Please download the application guidelines and application documents from the relevant web page and make your application using the dedicated application form. Applications sent via post will not be accepted.
Documents Required for Application
(1) Application form (research plan)
(2) Recommendation letter
(3) Published articles by the applicant as a reference for the review process(maximum three)
