Pinnacles of Intellect: Paving the Way for Future Research at Kyoto University

About Kyoto University Lectureship Award

The Kyoto University Lectureship Award is a newly established international academic honor launched in fiscal year 2025.
Rooted in the university’s distinguished tradition—including having produced the highest number of Nobel Laureates in Asia—this award recognizes outstanding and emerging researchers who are pioneering the next frontiers of science, while fostering international research networks and advancing the sustainable growth of global scholarship.

A defining feature of this award is the invitation extended to laureates to visit Kyoto, deliver a special lecture, and engage in dialogue and exchange. By bringing together laureates with the next generation of researchers at the forefront of academia, the program fosters a chain of new inspirations and nurtures the seeds of future-shaping research.

In addition, laureates are honored at a ceremony hosted by the President of Kyoto University.

Selection Philosophy

The selection process focuses on researchers who embody the following qualities.

• Researchers who are pioneering the frontiers of their disciplines and shaping new fields of inquiry.
• Researchers who address fundamental questions and advance scholarship while contributing to the resolution of significant societal challenges.

In particular, a comprehensive assessment is made with consideration of the following aspects.

• Pioneering Nature
  Opening new frontiers of knowledge and shaping the intellectual sources of a discipline through original research that either explores uncharted territory or revitalizes existing fields.
• Fundamental Impact
  Producing work with the potential to transform academic paradigms or to exert profound influence on humanity and society in the future.
• Elegance and Prospect
  Advancing theories or methodologies that are recognized for their conceptual elegance, while holding strong promise for future development and applications.
• Emerging Recognition
  Demonstrating achievements that are already gaining solid recognition, ensuring evaluation is grounded in established merit rather than speculative prediction.

Selection Process

A selection committee composed of leading scholars representing Kyoto University ensures a rigorous and independent review process. Details of the committee will be made publicly available on the official website following the award announcement on October 4, 2025.

Announcement of the 2025 Laureate
(Scheduled for October 4, 2025)

The inaugural Kyoto University Lectureship Award is being presented in the field of Life Sciences or Medicine, with the selection process currently underway.

The first laureate will be announced on October 4, 2025, at the HFSP Science Summit Japan 2025 hosted at Kyoto University.

The award ceremony and commemorative lecture are planned for late February to April 2026. Further details will be provided on this page once confirmed.

With Gratitude to Our Supporters

This award is made possible through the generous support of the following corporations and organizations. (Listed in no particular order.)

Sponsors

These sponsors have generously contributed to support the operation of the award, the award ceremony, and the invitation of laureates to Kyoto.

Hospitality Partners

We gratefully acknowledge the companies and organizations that provide accommodations, venues, and services in support of the hospitality extended to our awardees and participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for this award?

The award is conferred upon early- to mid-career researchers who are expected to make significant contributions on the global stage. Nominees are recommended by Kyoto University faculty members and selected through a rigorous deliberation process by the committee. The award does not accept open applications or public nominations.

Will fields other than life sciences or medicine be included in the future?

While the inaugural award focuses on the field of life sciences or medicine, we are considering expanding the scope to other academic disciplines in future cycles.

How often will the award be presented?

The award is scheduled to be presented approximately once a year. Further details will be announced as they become available.

Contact

Kyoto University Lectureship Award Secretariat
lectureship-award＊mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp
(Please replace ＊ with @ when sending your message.)