News
2026/05/07
WISER GAP Fund 2026 (Funding and hands-on support specifically for young female researchers) is now open for applications.
WISER GAP Fund 2026 (Funding and hands-on support specifically for young female researchers)
Purpose and Objectives
- WISER is a program to support horizontal connections and entrepreneurship by a community of young female researchers.
- The purpose of the WISER GAP Fund is to encourage young female researchers to realize their ideas and grow toward commercialization. Furthermore, the program focuses on network expansion and future prospects, and supports researchers to expand their own visions and implement them in a way that contributes to society.
- Even those with little track record or those still in the idea stage are eligible for support as long as they have enthusiasm and the ability to involve others, and we will help them increase their chances of realization.
- GTIE, which fosters a university startup ecosystem in the Tokyo metropolitan area, is cooperating with this program.
Application Guidelines
1. eligible proposals
The main strength of the project must be R&D-oriented. 2.
2. eligibility (applicants must meet both (1) and (2) below)
(1) Young female researchers under 40 years of age, who are individuals before registration as a corporation. Master’s course graduate students or those with equivalent research backgroundare eligible.
Examples: master’s students, doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, university faculty, private sector workers, etc.
*1) If applying as a team, the applicant must be before the registration of the corporation and the representative person must meet the above conditions.
*2) Applicants can apply regardless of affiliation
2) Applicants must aim to start a business in Tokyo.
3 . Details of support
・GAP Fund
・Funding for activities that contribute to commercialization
・1-5 million yen per project
*The amount will be determined by the Management Office upon review
On-line hands-on support and mentoring
・ Progress sharing meeting: about once a month (tentative )
・ Mentoring: about once every month and a half to two months (tentative)
4. expected number of applications
10
How to apply
Please submit the following information via Google Form by noon on Monday, July 13, 2026.
You will need to join the community (register on Discord) to apply. Please see Q&A for more details.
Fill out the application form (Google Form)
*There is a space to write the project name and outline (about 200 words). It will be easier if you prepare them in advance.
Upload your presentation material (1 PDF file)
*You will be asked to use this material for your presentation during the interview. Please download and fill out the designated format below and upload it within the Google Form.
*︎ Click here to download the presentation material format.
*︎Click here for the Google Form to apply (Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026 at noon)
https://forms.gle/J6XrgkPSqSDqwmAD8
6. schedule
Application Deadline:Must arrive no later than noonon Monday, July 13, 2026
Online Information Session: 19:00 – 20:30 (TBD) in early June
Document review: Mid to late July
Interview review: Late July/early August *Details below
Notification of adoption results: Wednesday, August 12 (tentative)
Start of support:Tuesday, September 1
DEMO DAY (results presentation): Scheduled to take place during February 2027
7. Interview Details
・Interview Schedule1
Dates: July 28 (Tue.) – July 31 (Fri.) (tentative)
Screening Method: In principle, face-to-face interviews will be conducted in Tokyo.
* Applicants are responsible for their own transportation expenses.
*Ifit is difficult for you to come to Tokyo, online interview is also available on the above date and time.
Interview Schedule2
Date: August 3 (Mon.) – August 7 (Fri.), at a date and time to be determined (tentative)
Screening method: Online interview at
*Applicants must attend the interview in person.
*Interviews will be held during either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2. The interview schedule will be specified by the Management Office. Details will be sent to applicants as soon as possible. 8.
8. online information session
-
- Scheduled for early June 2026.
- Details will be disclosed as soon as they are determined.
*Participation in the briefing session is not mandatory.
10. inquiries
- tayo Corporation WISER Management Office: wiser-support@tayo.jp
- Please write [ WISER GAP Fund ] at the beginning of the subject line.
Operation Structure
- Operation: tayo WISER Management Office
- About WISER
- WISER is a program that supports entrepreneurship by female researchers through community building and events for female researchers and the provision of a GAP fund specialized for young female researchers.
- We are currently recruiting Discord community members!
WISER LP: https://wiser.tayo.jp/
Publicity and review cooperation: GTIE
This program is implemented with the adoption of “TOKYO SUTEAM,” a startup support and development project operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.