Greetings from the President
As a joint initiative of the Japan Association for Mathematical Sciences and the Mathematical Society of Japan (MSJ), the Research Fellowship for Promoting International Collaboration was launched in 2025. This program is designed to support young and active members of MSJ by enabling them to engage in collaborative projects with researchers abroad. Each year, four fellows are selected, and each receives a research grant for a period of two years. The list of selected fellows will be announced at the MSJ Spring Meeting. Please note that, starting in 2026, the application deadline has been moved earlier to allow for this announcement at the Spring Meeting. We welcome applications from young researchers, along with their research plans.
Historically, research in modern mathematics in Japan began with the importation of foreign mathematics, but it has since grown into a major force, producing top researchers who lead the field on the global stage. It is noteworthy that many leading Japanese mathematicians have spent time abroad, where they encountered the diversity of mathematics and developed their own unique theories. While Japanese mathematics has developed in this way, there are concerns that young
mathematicians today may be somewhat passive in seeking out such encounters with mathematical diversity. At the same time, it is also true that the current research environment does not always provide young researchers with sufficient opportunities to engage directly with mathematics internationally.
In light of this situation, the MSJ, with the support of the Japan Association for Mathematical Sciences, has established this program to enable young members to go abroad and experience mathematics worldwide. Discussions between the two organizations confirmed the need for a system that encourages young researchers to study abroad, and this program was created in response. At its core lies the strong hope that the next generation of mathematicians will open up new horizons and discover new worlds.
Although spending time abroad is invaluable—especially for experiencing firsthand an atmosphere that cannot otherwise be felt—new communication technologies have also made remote collaboration increasingly effective. Since collaborative research now takes many forms, this program has been designed with flexibility regarding the style of collaboration.
The above is a message to young researchers, but we are also aware that many members of the Society play an important role in advising them. If you know someone who may be a suitable candidate for this fellowship, we would greatly appreciate it if you could keep the application period in mind, encourage them, and give them a supportive push.
(*Note) The research grant will be 600,000 yen per year in 2025, and 1,000,000 yen per year from 2026 onward.
President of MSJ
Kazuhiro Ishige
Message to the Joint Project
with the Mathematical Society of Japan
Japan Association for Mathematical Sciences was established as a non-profit foundation by Professor Heisuke Hironaka on December 4, 1984, and transitioned into a general incorporated foundation on November 1, 2013. Since its founding, it has been contributed to the progress of mathematical sciences.
In particular, we made efforts to promote educational program enlightening young people, such as high school students. These programs continue to be carried out by those who have completed them and have developed in the present form.
The Foundation has also devoted considerable effort to supporting participation in international research meetings, inviting researchers from abroad, and assisting in the organization of international conferences. Before around the year 2000, there were a lot of restrictions on inviting researchers from abroad or conducting research abroad through the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. At that time, the Foundation’s support played a vital role in facilitating international research exchange.
Heisuke Hironaka, Honorary Director
With regard to the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), the Foundation first supported travel expenses for young researchers from abroad at ICM90, held in Kyoto in 1990. Since then, it has continued to support the organization of the Japan Forum held in conjunction with subsequent ICMs. Around 2020, however, due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation was compelled to scale back its activities, including its selection and administrative systems. Even under these circumstances, educational activities for young people have continued, though in new and different forms.
As for academic exchange with overseas researchers, we have continued to provide support for areas not covered by KAKENHI. However, due to our reduced administrative capacity, it has not been possible to conduct open calls and selections for researchers who are ineligible for KAKENHI funding. It is in this context that we have established the Research Fellowship Promoting International Collaboration as part of a joint initiative with the Mathematical Society of Japan, thereby making such support possible once again. Furthermore, while we had not previously been able to launch an award program for outstanding researchers in the mathematical sciences, this has now become possible through the MSJ Takebe Katahiro Special Prize, also conducted as a joint project with the Mathematical Society of Japan.
Japan Association for Mathematical Sciences
Representative Director
Eriko HironakaDeadline of application
Deadline of application
-
September 1, 2025
Recruitment begins -
December 15, 2025
End -
March 24, 2026
Announcement of
selected applicants
