Future Talent Program

in Artificial Life

ALife Japan’s Future Talent Program is designed to nurture, support and accelerate the next generation of ALife researchers. Providing funding, mentorship, and advice on your ALife project.

Application deadline: Friday, March 15, 2024: 23:59

Open Call for Proposals

Please submit your ideas using ALife-related technologies and research in a proposal. We welcome proposals in a wide range of fields, including software, hardware, wet, and art.

We are particularly interested in proposals that will specifically produce new services, software, artwork, etc. throughout the project period, and proposals that will effectively utilize the support provided by this project to achieve future goals.

We also welcome proposals that incorporate and develop the idea of artificial life into ideas and initiatives that we are currently considering.

During the project period, you will be able to receive specific advice on the concept of artificial life and related technologies through discussions with mentors who are artificial life researchers, and reflect such advice in your initiatives. In addition, support funds will be provided for the execution of the project.

Eligible Participants

High school, university, and graduate students affiliated with educational and research institutions in Japan.

Amount

400,000 yen/project
(300,000 yen student fellowship + 100,000 yen materials)

Number of Projects

A few grants will be awarded this year, based on submissions.

Outline of Open Call for Proposals

  • Project name
  • Project description (about 500 words)
  • Applicant's name
  • Organization
  • Details of the proposal (no more than 3 A4 size pages)
  • What you are going to create (background, purpose and goals of the proposal)
  • How it will be presented to the world
  • Novelty and originality
  • How to proceed
  • Evidence of the proposer's skills and prowess (ex.portfolio)
  • Allocation of funds(how to use the budget)
  • Link to a video uploaded online (2-3 minutes video)

Schedule

Application deadline: Friday, March 15, 2024: 23:59

  • Secondary review (interviews): April 1 – May 15, 2024
  • Contract processing: June 1 – 30, 2024

Project (7 – 8 months)

  • Project period: July 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025
  • Kick-off meeting: July 2024
  • Interim presentation: September 2024
  • Final presentation: February 2025

Mentors

  • Alyssa Adams
  • Dominic Chen
  • Mizuki Oka
  • Olaf Witkowski
  • Takashi Ikegami

APPLY NOW