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Toray Group has outlined a corporate philosophy of “contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies and products,” which the Group delivers on by practicing innovation. In order to realize this goal, it is essential that the Group secures and develops human resources capable of becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Based on this approach, the Group takes a long-term perspective by contributing to the promotion and support of basic science and science education, through the activities of such organizations as Toray Science Foundation and Toray Science Foundations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea. These efforts constitute one of the Group’s main social contribution activities and support the work of researchers who drive the advancement of science and technology.

Toray Science Foundation

Nobel Prize winners

• Reona Esaki (recipient of the Foundation’s Science and Technology Prize in 1961 and the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973)
• Masatoshi Koshiba (recipient of various Foundation grants from 1968 to 1970 and the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2002)
• Ryoji Noyori (recipient of the Foundation’s Science and Technology Prize in 1990 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2001)
• Isamu Akasaki (recipient of the Foundation’s Science and Technology Prize in 2000 and the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2014)
• Shinya Yamanaka (recipient of the Foundation’s Science and Technology Grant in 2004 and the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2012)
• Tasuku Honjo (recipient of the Foundation’s Science and Technology Grant in 1981 and the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2018)

Main activities of Toray Science Foundation

Initiative	Description
Toray Science and Technology Grant	This grant provides financial assistance to young researchers engaged in exploratory research in science and technology.
Toray Science and Technology Prize	This prize is awarded to scientists for their distinguished achievements in science and technology.
Toray Science Education Prize	This prize is awarded to commend junior and senior high school teachers who have given creative and innovative lessons in science with good results.
Toray Science Foundation International Research Grant	This grant is awarded to young researchers engaged in basic research on science and technology in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Note: The prize and grant recipients are selected by a third-party committee made up of experts.

Cumulative achievements, FY 1960-2024

Category	Number awarded	Amount (million yen)
Toray Science and Technology Grant	711	7,535
Toray Science and Technology Prize	135	518
Toray Science Education Prize	781	242
Japan total	1,627	8,295
Toray Science Foundation International Research Grant	919	533
Total	2,546	8,828

Note: "Toray Science Foundation International Research Grant" includes direct grants to overseas universities from 1989 to 1993 (61 grants, 68 million yen).

2024 Presentation Ceremony

In February 2025, the Toray Science Foundation chose the latest recipients of the 65th Toray Science and Technology Prizes, Toray Science and Technology Grants and the 56th Toray Science Education Prizes. At the presentation ceremony, the minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology and the president of the Japan academy gave congratulatory remarks. Toray Science and Technology Prizes were awarded to Dr. Naoto Nagaosa (Director of RIKEN’s Fundamental Quantum Science Program) and Dr. Hitoshi Kurumizaka (Professor, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo). They and the science educators who were awarded Toray Science Education Prizes, including the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize, received certificates, medals, and supplementary prize money. Grants totaling 130 million yen were awarded to 11 researcher recipients of Science and Technology Grants.
In his address to attendees, Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and Toray Science Foundation Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku gave the following remarks. “The 2024 Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry were awarded for foundational technologies in machine learning and for computational protein design and structure prediction, respectively. This illustrates how the world of science and technology is undergoing major changes, which is why I feel basic research has become increasingly critical. Through its research grant programs and recognition initiatives for researchers and educators, the Toray Science Foundation will continue advancing the development and promotion of basic science and science education in Japan.”

• Speech by Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and Toray Science Foundation Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku
• Chairman Nikkaku, Selection Committee Chair Hiroaki Aihara (front row, fourth and fifth from the left), and the grant recipients

The Toray Science Education Prize's Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, honors teachers who have achieved remarkable educational outcomes in junior and senior high school science education through creativity and ingenuity. The 2025 prize was awarded to Mr. Takeshi Suetani, a teacher at Yamaguchi Prefectural Tokuyama High School.

Toray Science Foundations outside Japan

Toray Industries has established science foundations in three Southeast Asian nations where it has started businesses since the 1960s. These foundations aim to contribute to the advancement of science and technology and promote science education in each country. The science foundations in Malaysia and Indonesia were established in 1993, followed by the establishment of a foundation in Thailand in 1994.
Since their establishment, the foundations have provided awards for outstanding achievements in science, technology and science education, and grants for research in the natural sciences, using funds raised by interest income from endowments, grants from Toray Science Foundation, and annual donations from group companies in various countries. The award winners and grant recipients include outstanding science researchers, young researchers in the basic sciences, and science educators. These activities have earned great social respect in the countries of each foundation.
In 2018, the Korea Toray Science Foundation was established to launch similar efforts in the Republic of Korea, where Toray Group's business continues to expand.
The foundations seek to support the medium- and long-term development of science and technology in the host countries, by generating interest among science and technology researchers, youth, and science educators. The foundations also contribute to mutual understanding, friendship, and goodwill between Japan and each country, and foster economic development there, as well.

Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF)

Since its inauguration in August 1993, MTSF has extended awards and grants totaling 12.09 million ringgit to 912 researchers and science teachers. MTSF holds an annual award presentation ceremony with the attendance of guests from the Government of Malaysia and the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia. The awards are a badge of honor for the award winners and grant recipients.
In November 2024, MTSF held the 31st Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. MTSF awarded a total of 277,000 ringgit in prize money and grants to a total of 25 Malaysian recipients, including one scientist, 9 young researchers, and 15 science educators.
At the award ceremony, the Malaysian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chang Lih Kang, and Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister Karimata of the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia offered words of praise, recognizing that MTSF has made significant contributions to the development of science and technology in Malaysia for over 30 years. In addition, Toray Industries Chairman of the Board Akihiro Nikkaku, who serves as Honorary Chairman of MTSF, expressed gratitude for the Malaysian government’s cooperation and support. He delivered a congratulatory address affirming that Toray Group will continue to support the advancement of science and technology in Malaysia in accordance with its corporate philosophy.

• Commemorative photo with the science and technology prize recipients
• Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and Honorary MTSF Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku presented a commemorative gift to Minister Chang Lih Kang

Indonesia Toray Science Foundation (ITSF)

From its inauguration in December 1993 until fiscal 2024, ITSF has extended awards and grants totaling 26 billion rupiah to 884 researchers and science teachers. Many of the past recipients of research grants now teach as professors and associate professors at leading universities, including the University of Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology, Gadjah Mada University, and Sekolah Tinggi Teknik Surabaya, and others conduct research at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.
The 31st Indonesia Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony was held in Jakarta, in January 2025. ITSF awarded prizes and grants totaling 1.050 billion rupiah to 29 individuals, including one scientist, 10 young researchers, and 18 science educators. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Professor Abdul Mu'ti, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Katsuro Nagai, Deputy Chief of Mission from Embassy of Japan in Indonesia, Dr. Karlisa Priandana, director of Bina Talenta Penelitian dan Pengembangan (talent development in research and development), a department under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, as well as ITSF Chairman Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, who also serves as Chairman of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency.
In a video message, Akihiro Nikkaku, Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and Honorary Chairman of ITSF, offered his congratulations to the award recipients and spoke about how Toray Group has contributed to supporting science and technology and promoting research and development in Indonesia through ITSF’s activities. He emphasized in particular the importance of research and human resource development toward the realization of a sustainable society, expressing the Group’s intention to continue providing active support. He also conveyed his gratitude to all those attending the ceremony and expressed his hopes for the future success of the award recipients.

• Commemorative photo with award winners
• ITSF Honorary Chairman and Toray Industries Chairman of the Board Akihiro Nikkaku delivers a speech via video message

Thailand Toray Science Foundation (TTSF)

Since its inauguration in June 1994, TTSF has extended awards and grants totaling 162.18 million baht to 895 researchers and science teachers. TTSF holds an annual award presentation ceremony. From the inaugural ceremony in 1995 through 2009, the ceremony has been attended by then President of the Privy Council His Excellency General Prem Tinsulanonda, and since 2010 has been attended by current Privy Council President His Excellency General Surayud Chulanont. The ceremony is always a big moment for award and grant winners.
The 31st Thailand Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony was held in Bangkok, in March 2025. A total of 5.49 million baht in prizes and grants was awarded to a range of recipients including one scientist and one organization, 20 young researchers, and six science educators, totaling 27 individuals and one organization. In his speech, Masato Otaka, the Japanese Ambassador to Thailand, commemorated the 138th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand, and stated that Japan would continue advancing cooperation in areas such as human resource development, regulatory reform, and the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, making further efforts toward the realization of a sustainable society. Privy Council President General Surayud emphasized that science and technology form the foundation of economic and social development and play a vital role in achieving sustainable progress. He expressed his gratitude for TTSF’s 31 years of support for the advancement of science and technology and conveyed his expectation that the future research and educational activities of the awardees would contribute to Thailand’s economic development and the improvement of quality of life. Finally, Akihiro Nikkaku, Chairman of Toray Industries and Honorary TTSF Chairman, conveyed his gratitude to General Surayud, the selection committee members for each award, and all those involved in the ceremony. He concluded by expressing his hopes that the recipients’ future research activities would yield even greater outcomes.

• Recipient accepting her award from Privy Council President General Surayud
• Commemorative photo with the science and technology prize recipients

Korea Toray Science Foundation (KTSF)

The Korea Toray Science Foundation was established in 2018, 55 years after Toray Group first began operations in the Republic of Korea. The Foundation's aim is to encourage research and development in that country and expand the next-generation research infrastructure by fostering the development of human resources in the fields of science and engineering. Additional aims include building a sustainable research climate in the Republic of Korea in the fields of chemistry and materials, as well as the promotion of basic science and related industries there.
From its establishment until fiscal 2024, the Foundation has presented the Science and Technology Prize to 14 individuals, granted the Korea Toray Fellowship to 30 researchers, and provided scholarships to 195 students, distributing a cumulative total of 5.93 billion Korean won.
The 7th Korea Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony was held in October 2024. About 185 participants, including award recipients, academics, industry representatives, and students, attended the event. KTSF awarded Science and Technology Prizes to two researchers for their outstanding research results and announced the selection of five young researchers aiming to promote new research activities for the Korea Toray Fellowship. Each Science and Technology Prize recipient received 100 million won, and the selected fellowship researchers will receive 50 million won each year for three years to support their research.
During the Presentation Ceremony, Professor Tae-ho Kim of Jeonbuk National University’s Korean Research Institute of Science, Technology and Civilization delivered a lecture entitled, “The History of Korean Science and the Development of Industry,” which drew strong interest from the participants.
In his welcoming remarks during the ceremony, Toray Industries Chairman of the Board and Honorary KTSF Chairman Akihiro Nikkaku extended his congratulations to the awardees and expressed his gratitude for Toray Group’s 60 years of business development in Korea. He further stated, “I sincerely hope that KTSF’s activities will contribute to the advancement of science and technology and the fostering of outstanding talent, and that the business operations and core technologies of Toray Group in Korea will continue to support the development of the country.”

• Award recipients and KTSF board members
• A Science and Technology Prize recipient and his family members