Shiga Prefecture launches Sakaguchi Shimon Science Award

Shiga Prefecture has begun accepting applications for the inaugural “Sakaguchi Shimon Shiga Future Science Award.” The award was established to honor the achievements of Shimon Sakaguchi, a Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine who was born in Nagahama City and is a professor at Osaka University.

The program aims to support the inquiry-based activities of junior and senior high school students. Rather than focusing solely on technical sophistication, the award emphasizes the process of forming hypotheses and conducting verifications. The initiative includes two main pillars: research grants and an awards ceremony.

Applications are open to students born between April 2, 2008, and April 1, 2014, who reside, study, or work in Shiga Prefecture. The selection process involves document reviews and video presentations, with approximately 10 groups advancing to a final round. The award ceremony is scheduled for February 6, 2026, at the Ritto Arts and Culture Center, where Sakaguchi is expected to attend and deliver a special lecture. Winners will receive travel vouchers to encourage further learning.