2026.06.12
KGRI expanded its KGRI Challenge Grant, a research grant program launched in 2024, and renamed it “KGRI Grant” for 2026.
In addition, the program structure has been revised. There are two application categories, A and B, allowing researchers to select the one that aligns with their track record of research funding. Category A is for less-experienced researchers developing research projects for external funding application (up to 1 million JPY per fiscal year for a maximum of two fiscal years). Category B supports strategic research preparing for larger research funds (up to 3 million JPY per fiscal year for a maximum of two fiscal years, with a total cap of 5 million JPY).
The review
board selected the following nine proposals. Through this grant, we look forward to the
recipients acquiring external funding and progress toward larger-scale and
more creative research. This includes
stronger research collaborations for inter/cross-disciplinary research and
social implementation, which are also being
promoted under the “Program for Forming Japan’s Peak Research Universities
(J-PEAKS).”
Furthermore, KGRI will continue to support applicants whose proposals were not selected this time, through various internal and external funding programs.
[List of Selected Proposals]
(Category A)
“Analysis of the effects of psilocin administration during pregnancy on maternal-fetal physiology”
“Elucidation of Novel Immunoregulatory Mechanisms Mediated by the Tumor Microbiome”
“Establishing a Novel Neuroprotective Foundation Utilizing Synthetic Torpor for the Treatment of Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome”
“Financial Toxicity in Children with Chronic Illness in Japan: Characterizing Its Development, Spillover Pathways, and Conceptual Mode”
“Chemical ecology of multimodal signals driving angiosperm diversification”
(Category B)
“Development of eco-friendly fermentation technology based on microbial thermotolerance via chemical priming”
“Development of an Immunological Digital Twin-Based Platform for Predictive Decision-Making in Vaccine-Preventable Diseases”
“Establishing a 3D Point-of Care Platform for the Creation of Novel Medical Devices”
“External Voting and Home-Country Political Engagement among Brazilians in Japan”