Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award was established in 2020 to promote science and technology-driven solutions to social challenges in the ASEAN region. It highlights research that not only demonstrates academic excellence but also shows strong potential for real-world implementation.
The award emphasizes innovation that contributes to building a sustainable society aligned with the UN SDGs.
Key Objectives
The award aims to encourage research that directly benefits society and supports sustainable development.
Key objectives include:
- Promoting science and technology innovation in ASEAN
- Supporting achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Encouraging socially impactful research and development
- Advancing practical implementation of research outcomes
- Strengthening collaboration between academia and society
- Supporting long-term visions for sustainable development
- Recognizing public-interest scientific contributions
- Encouraging innovation-driven societal solutions
Focus Areas
The award supports a broad range of research and innovation themes.
Focus areas include:
- Science and technology innovation
- Sustainable development solutions
- Research and development (R&D) excellence
- Social problem-solving and applied research
- Future-oriented societal innovation
- Public interest and community benefit research
- SDG-aligned technologies and systems
- Social implementation and real-world application strategies
Award Categories and Prize Structure
The programme recognises excellence through three award levels.
Award categories include:
- Best Innovation Award: 3,000,000 yen per recipient
- Outstanding Innovation Award: 1,000,000 yen per recipient
- Encouragement Award: 500,000 yen per recipient
Recognition is based on both scientific merit and societal impact.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must:
- Be affiliated with universities or research institutes
- Be based in ASEAN countries
- Include faculty members, researchers, or students
- Conduct research within their home country
Institutional Requirements
- Must be formally affiliated with a recognized institution
- Must receive endorsement from a senior official or director
Additional Requirements
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate research aligned with SDGs
- Show potential for societal implementation
- Provide evidence of research achievements
- Submit required documentation and materials
Application Requirements
Applicants must prepare a complete submission package.
Required materials include:
- Completed application form
- Research and development introduction video
- Recommendation letter from institution
- Supporting research evidence such as:
- Published papers
- Patents
- Technical outputs or achievements
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions are assessed based on multiple factors.
Key evaluation criteria include:
- Scientific and technological excellence
- Contribution to sustainable development
- Alignment with SDGs
- Practical implementation potential
- Social impact and public benefit
- Innovation and originality
- Long-term vision and scalability
- Quality of research outputs
Importance of the Award
The award plays a key role in strengthening innovation in ASEAN.
It contributes by:
- Encouraging SDG-aligned research
- Promoting real-world application of science and technology
- Strengthening research ecosystems in ASEAN countries
- Supporting socially responsible innovation
- Bridging academic research and societal needs
- Enhancing visibility of impactful scientific work
Conclusion
The Hitachi Global Foundation Asia Innovation Award recognizes and supports research and development that drives sustainable innovation across ASEAN countries. By rewarding impactful science and technology projects aligned with the SDGs, it encourages solutions that contribute to long-term societal and environmental progress.
For more information, visit The Hitachi Global Foundation.