#Innovation Contest #Shinohara Foundation #CareTech

Shinohara Foundation's CareTech Innovation Contest 2025

The Shinohara Foundation, officially known as the Shinohara Kinuko Memorial Foundation, will open applications for the CareTech Innovation Contest 2025 on November 14, 2025. The contest encourages innovation in two compartments: the Prototype category, which accepts implemented and prototype products, and the Idea category, which focuses on unique concepts related to care. Participants can submit projects on a broad range of themes including caregiver support, disability, young caregivers, educational assistance, and mental health issues.

Applications are open from November 14, 2025, until January 16, 2026. The final judging and award ceremony are scheduled to take place on March 22, 2026, at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Background and Purpose of the Contest

The field of care in Japan encompasses various societal challenges, including elderly care, disability support, childcare, mental health, and educational assistance. The technological value lies not just in implementation but in how effectively it enhances productivity and quality of life in the field. The Shinohara Foundation aims to maximize well-being and productivity, supporting initiatives that contribute to the smiles of both caregivers and those receiving care.

Contest Highlights

• - Wide Participation: The contest invites entries from students (junior high, high school, university), general public, researchers, and seed-stage startups.
• - Funding Opportunities: The Prototype category offers funding of up to 200 million yen for college students and the general public.
• - Intellectual Property Rights: Applicants retain ownership of their intellectual property; the foundation does not claim priority rights or other intellectual property.
• - Various Themes: Projects relating to technology that supports caregiving (e.g., elderly care, disability support, educational assistance) are welcomed.

Contest Overview

• - Name: CareTech Innovation Contest 2025
• - Organizer: Shinohara Kinuko Memorial Foundation
• - Application Period: November 14, 2025, to January 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM JST
• - Categories: Prototype (for finished products) and Idea (for unformed and free concepts)
• - Eligibility: Open to junior high, high school, university students, general applicants (individuals or teams), and early-stage startups (pre-market launch).

For the detailed contest guidelines, please refer to:

• - Prototype Category Guidelines
• - Idea Category Guidelines

Funding Breakdown

• - Prototype Category (University Students and General):

- Up to 200 million yen (2 entries)
- Up to 50 million yen (2 entries)
- Up to 15 million yen (2 entries)

• - Prototype Category (High School): Up to 1 million yen (2 entries)
• - Prototype Category (Junior High and Elementary): Up to 800 thousand yen (3 entries)
• - Idea Category (University Students and General): Up to 1 million yen (1 entry) / Up to 500 thousand yen (5 entries)
• - Idea Category (High School): Up to 100 thousand yen (5 entries)
• - Idea Category (Junior High and Elementary): Up to 50 thousand yen (5 entries)

Note: Funding amounts will be awarded as 70-100% of the requested sum based on project evaluation.

Examples of Target Themes

Proposals can focus on supporting young caregivers, reducing the burden of in-home care (monitoring, remote care, digital record-keeping), supporting children and individuals with disabilities (communication aids, apps for special education), dementia care for the elderly, and caregiver mental health.

Schedule

• - First-stage Result Notification: Week of February 16, 2026
• - Second or Final Result Notification: Week of March 9, 2026
• - Final Judging and Awards Ceremony: March 22, 2026, from 1:00 PM at Keio Plaza Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo (Attendance is mandatory, featuring public presentations, demonstrations, and Q&A sessions.)

Application Method

Applicants must enter through the platform Graain. Please confirm the required documents and application criteria outlined in each category's guidelines. Main documents required include:

• - Applicant information
• - Official ID
• - Budget plan for the grant
• - Recommendation letter (if applicable)
• - Consent from a guardian (for minors)
• - Presentations/videos specific to the category.

Intellectual Property Rights Handling

All intellectual property developed by applicants remains their property. The foundation will not claim rights to the intellectual property resulting from the grant unless it is intended for promotional purposes, which will require applicants' consent.

About the Shinohara Foundation

The Shinohara Foundation is committed to maximizing people’s potential and happiness, believing that the core mission is to support both caregivers and recipients of care in fostering smiles and independence. This contest is designed as an open initiative accessible to a wide range of participants.

For more details, visit the Shinohara Foundation’s website.

Contact Information

For inquiries related to entries or contest details, reach out through the contact section on Graain, specifying