#Japan #Tokyo #Research Grants #Obayashi Foundation #Urban Studies

Overview of Obayashi Foundation's 2024 Research Grants

The Obayashi Foundation, led by Chairman Takeshi Obayashi and located in Chuo, Tokyo, has announced its recipients for the 2024 research grants. This year, a total of 136 projects have been funded, amounting to a remarkable 176.76 million yen, showcasing the foundation's commitment to advancing academic research related to urban studies.

Continued Support for Urban Studies

The Obayashi Foundation continues to be a significant force in supporting academic research concerning urban environments. The decision to select grant recipients was made based on a strong response during the application period, which ran from October 1 to October 31, 2024, attracting numerous submissions from universities and research institutions.

Grant Recipient Selection Process

The selection process was overseen by a dedicated committee led by Takashi Onishi, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. The committee meticulously evaluated the applications, resulting in the approval of funding for 110 researchers, as well as grants for international exchange and conferences, totaling 176.76 million yen. The details of the grants, including the names, affiliations, and research topics of the recipients, are accessible on the foundation’s official website.

Breakdown of Grants

General Research Grants

Among the grants awarded, the general research funding attracted 149 applications, focusing on various urban-related themes, including urban planning, urban landscape, urban environmental engineering, transportation systems, and urban policy. After thorough evaluation, 86 researchers were awarded a total of 124.77 million yen to pursue their studies.

Encouragement Research Grants

For young researchers, particularly graduate students in urban studies, 34 applications were received for encouragement grants. The foundation granted support to 24 individuals, totaling 19.05 million yen.

International Exchange Grants

International collaboration is crucial for advancing urban research. Therefore, the foundation also supported 12 projects related to international exchanges, which include hosting foreign researchers visiting for conferences or joint research. Total funding for these initiatives came to 9.74 million yen.

International Conference Grants

Five grants were awarded to support international conferences taking place in Japan, out of seven applications received. This demonstrated the foundation’s commitment to facilitating knowledge sharing and academic discussions on urban issues, with a total of 7.2 million yen allocated.

Grants for Exhibitions

Nine applications were submitted for grants related to exhibitions and displays, and all nine were approved, amounting to a total of 16 million yen in funding, promoting art and research dissemination related to urban studies.

Future Prospects

Moving forward, the Obayashi Foundation remains focused on actively supporting research aimed at enhancing urban environments. The application process for grants in 2025 is expected to open from October 1 to October 31, inviting universities and research institutions to submit their proposals. For more detailed information regarding the research grants and the ongoing initiatives, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Obayashi Foundation's official website.

For further details on the grant programs, watch the introduction video available on the foundation's site.

Conclusion

The Obayashi Foundation's commitment to fostering research in urban studies is commendable and reflects a broader goal of tackling pressing urban challenges. Through its grants, the foundation empowers researchers to explore innovative solutions that could lead to more sustainable and livable urban spaces.