Providing opportunities and facilities for youth with high aspirations and exceptional talents, where they can interact with others, and offering them financial support

The Masason Foundation (“the Foundation,” President: Masayoshi Son) from January 17 to March 1, 2024, will recruit the 8th generation members to support. For this recruitment, we will hold the online briefing for applicants on January 29, 2024. 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 will be given financial support. The Foundation will certify around 30 people as the members during this recruitment. Hereafter, we will recruit members on a periodic basis.

The Foundation has a facility at Shibuya Cast (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) for members to conduct research and development activities and interact with one another. We will host lectures by specialists and experts, including the directors of the Foundation, in various fields and will 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 and 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 176 members aged from 9 to 29*2. In 2023, for the first time in 4 years, the Foundation hosted summer programs where the members visited facilities, including university labs in North America and in Japan, and the annual activity reporting event, gathering the members from around the world. Through these events and the use of our facilities, the members of various ages in different fields and countries enjoyed deepening their learning by sharing their knowledge and views. The Foundation will further support youth with high aspirations in various fields from all over the world to expand their potential and grow as people who create the future through experiencing new values and technologies, and interacting with other 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, such as financial support and the free use of facilities for members, from the Foundation, and will 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, a 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 a validity period and wishes to extend, the validity period may be extended after re-screening.
*2 As of December 2023

■ Recruitment for the 8th Generation Members
1. Application Period
January 17 (Wed.) 10 a.m. to March 1 (Fri.) 2 p.m. 2024 JST

2. Number of Available Positions
Approximately 30

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 and study abroad, or to accomplish a particular goal. Financial support 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 preparing 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 assistance will be provided during a certification period. However, should any reason for cessation or abolishment apply to the financial assistance, the provision of the assistance may cease or be abolished, even if it is within the period. As a general rule, in the case of those receiving the scholarship support, costs, such as tuition fees and living expenses, for a school year that begins in a fiscal year in which they have been certificated will be paid retrospectively.

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 secretariat of the Foundation during the selection process.

5. Selection of Members to Support
Members will be chosen by the selection committee on the basis of 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 (Wed.) at 10 a.m. JST.

Pre-application for the 8th generation members is available. Those who register will receive emails for when applications start, newsletters about the Foundation’s activities and invites to events hosted by the Foundation.
https://masason-foundation.org/en/pre-entry/

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 29, 2024 (Mon.) 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. JST (Opening of reception desk: 9:40 a.m.)
Japanese: January 29, 2024 (Mon.) 5 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 the 8th generation 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 9, 2024 (Tue.) 11 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 in the age of Singularity. The Foundation provides support to youth with high aspirations 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 members.
For more details, please visit the Foundation’s website (https://masason-foundation.org/en).