The Iwatani Naoji Foundation supports original energy and environmental research intended to advance science and public welfare. The grant is for individual researchers or groups whose lead researcher has a primary affiliation with an eligible institution in Japan.
Projects span six areas, from renewable energy and future fuels to low-temperature applications and environmental protection. The 2026 application period has ended, and the scheme normally accepts applications each year from June 1 through July 31.
Benefits & funding
- Around 100 projects may be selected, with a maximum grant of ¥3 million per project.
- The basic grant period is one year.
- This is a project grant carried out through the recipient’s institution, with no required relocation.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be individual researchers, or lead researchers of groups, whose primary affiliation is a Japanese national, public, or private university, an attached institute, an inter-university research institute corporation, or a college of technology.
- Students are not eligible, and researchers collaborating with a current foundation selection committee member are excluded.
- The research must address one of six specified energy or environmental areas and be underway or at a concrete starting stage, with results expected in principle within one year.
- A representative or co-researcher may not submit overlapping applications to the foundation’s research grants.
- An eligible institutional head must recommend the application; each organizational unit may submit no more than three recommendations.
- Eligibility is based on institutional affiliation; the published guidance states no separate nationality, residence, age, gender, degree, or experience requirement.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Check the current cycle’s guidelines and confirm that the institution, applicant, and research topic are eligible.
- 2Secure a recommendation from an eligible institutional head and confirm that the organizational unit remains within its three-recommendation limit.
- 3Complete the cycle’s application and recommendation forms and prepare the required supporting materials.
- 4Submit through the foundation’s web application system before the deadline when applications reopen.
Program timeline
Applications opened for the 2026 cycle.
Jun 1, 2026
Application deadline; the 2026 cycle is now closed.
Jul 31, 2026
Selection results are notified.
By late December 2026
Grant presentation ceremony.
Mar 5, 2027
Expected reopening based on the published annual schedule; this date is not yet confirmed for the next cycle.
Jun 1, 2027