The application for Masason Foundation 2021 is now closed.

PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITIES FOR YOUTH WITH HIGH ASPIRATIONS AND EXCEPTIONAL TALENTS, WHERE THEY CAN INTERACT WITH MEMBERS, AND OFFERING THEM FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The Masason Foundation (“the Foundation,” President: Masayoshi Son) is recruiting Generation 5 members to support from January 18 to February 28, 2021 and will hold an online briefing for applicants on February 7. The Foundation is looking for applicants up to 25 years old at the time of applying, who meet our qualifications. Applicants who pass the screening process will be certified as members of the Foundation for a maximum of five years*1, and they will be given financial support. The Foundation will certify around 45 people as members of the Foundation during this recruitment and will periodically recruit hereafter.

The Foundation established facilities in Shibuya Cast (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo), Boston (Massachusetts, US), Palo Alto (California, US) and London (UK) for members as a location for research and development activities and a place for members to interact with one another, as well to host lectures by specialists and experts in various fields, including the directors of the Foundation, and to hold networking events. In addition, the Foundation will provide financial support to those who apply. The details and amount of financial support will be considered on an individual basis, as support for those who wish to gain experience in the future in research, study abroad, or to accomplish a particular goal.

The Foundation was established in 2016 to provide an environment that enables youth with high aspirations and exceptional talents to develop their skills, and to contribute to the future of humankind. The Foundation has certified 219 members aged from 9 to 29*2 and conducts various workshops including events based on their ideas. Last year when it was not possible to host live events due to the novel coronavirus, members virtually reproduced the Foundation’s facility and used it as a place to interact with each other and hold events. The Foundation will continue to provide support to help the growth of the people who will create the future – expanding the potential of youth from all over the world with high aspirations in various fields through exposure to new values and the latest technologies, and interaction with members.

*1 The Foundation will certify talented persons as associate members for the initial year, and a decision will be made as to whether they will be confirmed as authorized members based on their activities and achievements during that year. Associate members will also receive support from the Foundation such as financial support, the free use of facilities for members, and be able to participate in events organized by the Foundation. Members will be certified up to five years from the date of certification as an associate member. However, if an authorized member reaches 29 years of age, the period of validity will end on the last day of the first fiscal year after that point. In addition, if an authorized foundation member is 23 years old or younger at the end of the validity period and wishes to extend, the validity period may be extended for another five years after re-screening.
*2 As of January 2021.

■ Recruitment for Generation 5 Members
1. Application Period
January 18 (Mon.) to February 28 (Sun.) 2021

2. Number of Available Positions
Approximately 45

3. Details of Support
(1) Shared Facilities
The Foundation will provide facilities that can be used by all members of the Foundation. For more details, please visit the Foundation’s website at （https://masason-foundation.org/en/infinity/）.

(2) Events
Networking events and lectures (not regularly scheduled) are held with specialists and experts in various fields, including Foundation directors.

(3) Financial Support
The Foundation will consider the details and amount of financial support on an individual basis, as support for those who wish to gain experience in the future in research, study abroad or to accomplish a particular goal. Financial aid recipients may pursue any path.

Amount of Financial Assistance
The details and amount of the financial support will be confirmed and decided on an individual basis during the selection process. As a general rule, there is no obligation for repayment.

Scholarship support: Tuition fees and living expenses (including study abroad costs for those studying overseas)
Research support: Expenses incurred from conducting research and essential living expenses
Other: Support for expenses considered eligible by the Foundation

Payment Period
In principle, the financial aid will be paid for up to a maximum of five years. However, should any reason for cessation or abolishment apply to the financial assistance, it is possible that the provision of the assistance will cease or be abolished even if this is within the period of payment. As a general rule, in the case of those receiving scholarship support, costs such as tuition fees and living expenses from the school year that began in the fiscal year in which they were accepted for the grant will be paid retrospectively during the year in which they were accepted.

4. Application Qualifications
Those up to 25 years of age at the time of applying who fulfill any of the application qualifications (1) to (5) below may apply.

(1) Applicants who have achieved excellent results in international or national-level competitions, regardless of the field.
(2) Applicants who have internationally accepted qualifications or belong to an internationally-recognized organization
(3) Applicants who have clearly excelled and achieved outstanding results in their studies or research activities
(4) Applicants who are preparing to set up a business or producing results through businesses they are already operating
(5) Applicants who demonstrate superior thinking in their dissertations reviewed by the executive office of the Foundation during the selection process.

5. Selection of Members to Support
Members will be chosen by a selection committee based on the application information.

6. Application Process
Please enter the necessary application information through the Foundation’s website at（https://masason-foundation-entry.secure.force.com/PrivacyPolicyEPage）.

7. Inquiries
Masason Foundation Inquiries Form
https://masason-foundation.org/en/contact

For more detailed information, please see the application guidelines on the Foundation’s website.
https://masason-foundation.org/en/requirements/

■Briefing for applicants
The foundation will hold an online briefing for applicants. Pre-registration is needed for attendance.

1．Date and Time
English: February 7, 2021 (Sun.) 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. JST (Opening of reception desk: 9:45 a.m.)
Japanese: February 7, 2021 (Sun.) 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. JST (Opening of reception desk: 12:45 p.m.)

2．Venue
Will be hosted online using Zoom. *The Zoom URL will be sent to participants

3．Eligible Participants
Applicants for Generation 5 members

4．Agenda (Planned)
A briefing on the foundation, details of support, and application process / Introduction of members

5．Pre-registration for attendance
Please apply using the form by January 31, 2021 (Sun.) .
https://forms.gle/61AxevLtEQzW9N4TA

About Masason Foundation
The Foundation was established in December 2016 by SoftBank Group Representative Masayoshi Son to provide an environment that enables youth with high aspirations and exceptional talents to develop their skills, and to contribute to the future of humankind. The Foundation provides support to youth with lofty ambitions and exceptional talents for expanding their potential and for their growth to be people who will create the future through exposure to new values and the latest technologies, and interaction with others who also have high aspirations.
For more details, please visit the Foundation’s website at（https://masason-foundation.org/en/）.