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) will recruit Generation 7 members to support from January 17 to March 1, 2023 and will hold an online briefing for applicants on January 23. 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*1, and they will be given financial support. The Foundation will certify around 35 people as members of the Foundation during this recruitment and will periodically recruit hereafter.

The Foundation has a facility at Shibuya Cast (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) for members to conduct research and development activities and interact with one another, 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, and currently certifies 194 members aged from 8 to 29*2. In 2022, the Foundation hosted 40 events online and offline, including a lecture by our Vice President Shinya Yamanaka, Director Emeritus/Professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, sharing his experience and values. Through these events and the use of our facilities, the Foundation members of various ages in different fields and countries enjoyed deepening their learning by sharing their knowledge and views. The Foundation will continue to provide support for the growth of the people who will create the future—expanding the potential of youth with high aspirations from all over the world and in various fields—by experiencing new values and technologies, and interacting with their peers.

*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. The certification period of members will be decided on an individual basis through screening. When an authorized member reaches 29 years of age during the first certification period, the period of validity will end on the last day of the first fiscal year after that point. Furthermore, if an authorized Foundation member is 23 years old or younger (the age threshold may change in the future) at the end of the validity period and wishes to extend, the validity period may be extended after re-screening.
*2 As of December 2022

■ Recruitment for Generation 7 Members
1. Application Period
January 17 (Tue.) 10:00 a.m. to March 1 (Wed.) 2:00 p.m. 2023 JST

2. Number of Available Positions
Approximately 35

3. Details of Support
(1) Shared Facilities
The Foundation will provide facilities that can be used by all members of the Foundation.

(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
　Business support: Expenses incurred in preparation to start a business or social activity
　Activity support: Travel and transportation expenses to attend conferences, expenses to purchase computers for study and research and development
　Other: Support for expenses considered eligible by the Foundation

Payment Period
In principle, the financial aid will be paid for during the certification period. 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 application form on the Foundation’s website, which will be available on January 17 (Tue.) at 10:00 a.m. JST.

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

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

1．Date and Time
English: January 23, 2023 (Mon.) 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. JST (Opening of reception desk: 9:40 a.m.)
Japanese: January 23, 2023 (Mon.) 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. JST (Opening of reception desk: 4:40 p.m.)

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

3．Eligible Participants
Applicants for Generation 7 members

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

5．Pre-registration for attendance
Pre-registration form will be available from January 5, 2023 (Thu.) 10:00 a.m. JST on the Foundation’s website.

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 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/).