June 1, 2026

In the 60th anniversary of the first polyurethane foam production in Asia, the International Polyurethane Technology Foundation was established in 2014 and then became a public interest incorporated foundation in 2019.

This is the first foundation in Japan for research grants targeting polymer field composed of polyurethane, and this foundation is promoting the public interest purposes aiming at the further development of the polyurethane research.

Our goal is to contribute to the development of the polymer field in the world by providing research grants to institutions and individuals conducting basic research and application development on polymer chemistry composed of polyurethane.

Last year, we awarded eight (8) research grants. This year as well, we will be awarding the 12th research grants to individuals affiliated with universities, public research institutions, etc. who are contributing to the development of polyurethane technology and environmentally friendly research and development, or who are expected to contribute to the future.

1.Purpose

We provide research grants to researchers who conduct research and development that will contribute to society through the development of polymer fields related to polyurethane, such as recent technology related to polyurethane and reducing the impact of polyurethane on the global environment. Through this, we aim to train young researchers and researchers from developing countries and contribute to the improvement and development of academia.

2.Research field targeted and Qualifications

The research fields targeted include polyurethane and all related research fields, from basics to applications.

In particular,
-Applications to advanced technology such as wearable electronics, tactile/pressure sensors, 3D printers, water purification, and various medical applications that take advantage of biocompatibility; implants, regenerative medicine, skin models, hemostasis, wound treatment, pressure ulcer prevention, dental materials etc.

-Reduction of environmental impact and Promotion of material circulation such as biomass-derived, carbon dioxide-derived, material recycling, chemical recycling, etc.

-High functionality through the combination of different materials such as composite materials, higher strength, improved reliability, etc.

-Functional material development such as acoustics, friction, waterproofing, filters, shape memory, elasticity, adhesion, insulation, etc.

-Evaluation and analysis technology for functions, characteristics such as development of new evaluation and analysis technology for materials containing polyurethane.

These are just a reference, so regardless of the above example, we are looking for research themes from basics to applications related to polyurethane.

Target researchers are individuals affiliated with universities, public research institutions, etc., and are classified into the following two categories:

Note) "University/Public Research Institution" refer non-profit corporation including research in their business activities, which include universities, technical colleges, public research institutions, public interest incorporated foundations, public interest incorporated associations, general incorporated foundations, or general incorporated associations that Including corporations.

(1) General research grant: 1 million JP yen per research project
Grants will be provided for excellent research that falls under the preceding paragraph, regardless of the country in which the researcher is located.

Age limit for researchers: Under 45 years old. (* As of June 1, 2026).
However, we will consider the period of childcare leave, etc.
(prenatal/postnatal leave, childcare leave).

(2) Research grants to encourage overseas researchers; 500 thousand JP yen per research project
Research grants for researchers at the University/Public Research Institution in developing countries excluding South Korea and China (the developing countries listed in DAC list excluding South Korea and China prepared by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)) for excellent research that falls under the preceding paragraph.

Age limit for researchers: Under 45 years old (* As of June 1, 2026).
However, we will consider the period of childcare leave, etc.
(prenatal/postnatal leave, childcare leave).

Please note that applications may be excluded from the selection process if they fall under any of the following categories:

1) Applications submitted by individuals who have a conflict of interest with our organization.
2) Research that has previously received a research grant from our foundation or is similar to such research, where the differences in content are not clearly distinguishable; or research with similar content that is currently receiving, or is scheduled to receive, funding from another foundation or organization.
3) Individuals and research topics that have received research grants from our foundation within the past three years. Specifically, this includes award-winning research themes from the 9th (FY2023), 10th (FY2024), and 11th (FY2025) grant programs.
4) Research commissioned by other companies or institutions.
5) Research that has been completed.

Additionally, if you have already received, or are scheduled to receive funding from other foundations (or competitive funding programs) for the same or similar research as submitted in this application, please indicate this in the attached document, regardless of whether your application is accepted for review.

3.Research grant amount and the term

(1) General research grant
　1 million JP yen per research project, four (4) research to be selected.
(2) Research grants to encourage overseas researchers
　500 thousand JP yen per research project, four (4) research to be selected.

When applying, please select either 1) General Research Grant or 2) Research grants to encourage overseas researchers.

The research term is, in principle, within one (1) year since the foundation operates on a single-year budget.

4.Application procedure and the deadline

The application starts on June 1, 2026, and the deadline is 5:00 p.m. (JST) on September 30, 2026.

The application form can download from our website as follows;

Please complete the designated application form. The application needs a recommender's sign or seal for Representative researcher. And then please convert the application document into digital data (pdf data) and send it to the Foundation's E-mail address, info@pu-zaidan.jp. Or please send an original document by post to our foundation.

The recommender should be a representative of an academic society, the dean, department chair, research institute director, etc. of the institution to which you belong, or your direct superior. Applications cannot be accepted without the recommender’s signature or seal.

In addition, we would set a limit on the number of characters for filling in "Research Purpose", "Reference", and "Summary of Research Implementation Plan". If you exceed the character limit, you may exclude from the selection process.

Application form：Application format for the 12th Reseach Grant.
Example of how to fill out the application form：Example

5.Selection process, the date of decision on grant recipients and the grant award

The selection will be conducted by the Foundation’s selection committee. The committee will select based on the following selection criteria. And then the winner will approve at the Board of Director of the Foundation.

[Selection criteria]
1) Academic significance of the research topic
2) Soundness of the research methodology
3) Capability to conduct the research

The selection committee will finish the selection until End of December 2026 and the winner and rejection results will announce at the end of January, 2027. And then we will provide the grant at the end of March 2027.

Notes

1.Use of the research grants

The grant will use for expenses for equipment, research raw materials, travel expenses, consumables, and others necessary for the research. But it does not accept to use for general administrative expenses at research institutes and universities.

2.Research result report

Recipients of the grant must submit “research report” and “use details of the grant” by the end of June 2028.

Please write the comment at the research report that we have received the research grant from international polyurethane technology foundation when you draft research paper for academic societies, academic journals, publications, papers based on the research grant by our foundation, and please send us the presentation paper (include electronic data) for the purpose of widely disseminating the grant activities of our foundation.

The research results report will post on the Foundation’s website. In addition, you may be requested to give a presentation at the research results presentation meeting scheduled for August 2028.

3.Handling of the personal information

All personal information related to the application for research grants will use only in the selection process. The foundation has a right to publish the research report on our website or in a booklet. But the foundation does not claim any rights with respect to intellectual property based on research results.
After the grant award, the foundation will request to submit the “Certificate of Acceptance” to agree making the information public at the websites of the foundation as follows,
a. Name of grant recipient and title, institution name
b. Research project name
c. Content of the research applied
d. Research period
e. Grant amount
f. Research report
g. Photos taken at the foundation-sponsored events

The research results report will be bookbinding and donated to the National Diet Library and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). In addition, the bibliographic items and abstracts of research report are stored in the database operated by JST (including Japanese-English translation).

4.Others

If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact the secretariat.

Also, during the grant period, in case of change of institution or status, change or stop of the research, change of use of grant, or if you need to conduct your research by another researcher, please contact us without delay.

Please note that we cannot respond to inquiries regarding the reasons for winning or rejection.

 

(Where to submit the application)
【By E-mail】
Mail Address: info@pu-zaidan.jp
Attention: Secretariat, Shinji Hirayama
International Polyurethane Technology Foundation

【By post】
Attention: Secretariat, Shinji Hirayama
International Polyurethane Technology Foundation
Address: 3-1-36 Imaike-cho, Anjo, Aichi, 446-8504 Japan
c/o Inoac Corporation Anjo Office

【Contact information】
Secretariat, Shinji Hirayama
TEL: +81- 50-3135-8998
FAX: +81- 566-98-5037
E-mail: info@pu-zaidan.jp

Website (International Polyurethane Technology Foundation):
https://www.pu-zaidan.jp/en/

Application form：Application format for the 12th Research Grant
Example of how to fill out the application form：Example