Closing November 28, applications will be accepted for research projects that will bring about innovative evolution in new technologies and product development in the area of precious metals and contribute to the creation of a sustainable future

September 1, 2025

TANAKA Memorial Foundation (Representative Director: Hideya Okamoto) has announced that it will be accept applications for research themes for FY2025 Precious Metals Research Grants from September 1 to November 28, 2025. This grant program aims to contribute to the development of science and industry by promoting innovative research, technological development, and product development related to precious metals. Applications for the grants are open to educational institutions and public research institutes in Japan.

This year markes the 27^th edition of the research grant program. Guided by the catchphrase “Forging a Better Tomorrow with “Hirameki” and “Kirameki.”” the Foundation encourages research themes that contribute toward the creation of a better future by fusing the creativity of researchers and the potential of precious metals.

Recipients will receive a total of 20 million yen in research grants, including 10 million yen—the highest amount—under the Umekichi Tanaka Award; 3 million yen under the Ichiro Tanaka Award; 1 million yen under the Innovative Precious Metals Award; 300,000 yen under the HIRAMEKI Award; and 1 million yen under the KIRAMEKI Award. The Umekichi Tanaka Award is named after founder Umekichi Tanaka, who strove to expand industrial use of precious metals. The Ichiro Tanaka Award honors Ichiro Tanaka, the company’s second president, who strove for international collaboration.

Applications can be submitted using the application form on TANAKA Memorial Foundation website (https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp). Following a rigorous review process, the grant recipients will be announced around the end of March 2026.

TANAKA Memorial Foundation aims to contribute to the development of new potential for precious metals and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy by conducting activities to realize a prosperous society. Through this grant program, the foundation will support a diverse range of research and development that endeavors to create a sustainable future.

Last year, the Ichiro Tanaka Award was presented to “New developments in half-Heusler compounds as highly refractive transparent materials” (Assistant Professor Akihiro Ishii of Tohoku University) and “Establishment of a temperature measurement technique for highly efficient operation of cryogenic fluids using ruthenium complexes” (Professor Yu Matsuda of Waseda University). There was no recipient for the Umekichi Tanaka Award.

20250901_TANAKA Memorial Foundation to Offer Precious Metals Research Grants.pdf