The latest edition of the Editage Grant program in Japan successfully concluded on September 20, 2024. Editage Grant is an annual initiative dedicated to supporting early-career researchers.
Empowering Young Researchers
Editage Grant is designed to bridge gaps in traditional funding frameworks by assisting individuals who often face challenges in securing grants, including those who are unable to get grants due to eligibility restrictions, those pursuing unconventional topics overlooked by traditional funding bodies, or applicants constrained by subject-area biases.
Since its launch in 2012, Editage Grant has supported over 100 researchers. The 2024 edition targeted researchers aged 22–39 years who had not received prior research funding. The program received an overwhelming response, with a record-breaking 360 applications.
A Special Evening for Awardees and Guests
The 2024 award ceremony was held at The Place of Tokyo, an elegant venue located in the heart of the city. The event brought together a diverse group, including grant recipients, judges, applicants, past awardees, researchers active in academia, science policy experts, and science journalists.
For this year’s program, the event format shifted from the mini-symposium held last year to a more networking-focused gathering. The primary aim was to create an environment that encouraged new connections and fostered research collaborations.
No Restrictions, No Reporting
In 2024, Editage Grant awarded JPY 1 million (approximately USD 6300) each to five winners, with an additional JPY 1 million to the top winner, totaling JPY 2 million in funding. The winners of the 2024 Editage Grant program were Natsuko Miyokawa, Valencia Joseph Evangelista, Honoka Ishihara, Kaoru Iwanaga, and Hana Tomoi.
The grant’s standout feature is its flexibility, as recipients are not required to submit reports or follow rigid guidelines on how the funding money is used. While applicants submit a proposed budget during the application process, recipients are allowed to use the funds as they see fit, whether for personal research expenses or even donate to their institutions.
Another unique feature of Editage Grant is its openness to all fields of research. Unlike many corporate or foundation grants that impose restrictions on what disciplines qualify, this program welcomes researchers from across a wide spectrum of areas, making it a truly inclusive private funding initiative.
With this flexible funding model, Editage aims to empower researchers while encouraging other organizations to adopt similar approaches, thus promoting greater innovation and inclusivity in research.
Support from Esteemed Judges
As in previous years, Editage Grant 2024 benefited from the expertise of distinguished judges from academia who evaluated applicants and conducted final interviews with the top 10 candidates. Their professional insights and diverse experiences played a pivotal role in ensuring a fair, transparent, and meticulous selection process.
Judges Panel:
- Makoto Yuasa (Chief Growth Officer, Research Solutions, Cactus Communications)
- Sayaka Oki (Professor, Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo)
- Akihiro Kishimura (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University)
- Motoshi Hayano (Special Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine)
- Yuko Harayama (Professor Emeritus, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University; ISC Fellow)
During the final interviews, applicants presented their research and received constructive feedback and encouragement from the judges. These interactions offered invaluable insights and guidance to strengthen their career as researchers.
As we work towards the next edition, Editage is dedicated to continuing its effort to provide meaningful opportunities and support to researchers for years to come.