Applications for this award are accepted throughout the year, and non-tenured, early-stage scholars at the University of Tokyo are encouraged to apply and to spread the word of this award. Priority is given to US visits, but non-US trips will also be considered depending on the volume of applicants.
The FUTI Travel Award for Early-stage Scholars was established in December 2023 and has awarded two recipients in the 2024-2025 cycle: Masaaki Miki who is anAssistant Professor ofGeneral Systems Studies at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at The University of Tokyo, and Masaki Michihata who is an Associate Professor at the Department of Precision Engineering at The University of Tokyo.
In May, 2025, Assistant Professor Masaaki Miki attended the International Conference and Doctoral Summer School, “Geometric Aspects of Architecture and Mechanical Engineering,” at the Institute of Mathematics, University of Granada (IMAG) and delivered an invited lecture titled “Variable Projection (VarPro) Method and Form-finding of Tension-compression Mixed Shells,” along with a poster session where he engaged with peers on shell form-finding and geometry processing, with an emphasis on integrating discrete differential geometry into architectural design. In addition to the conference, he established connections with researchers from KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), Cambridge, ETH Zurich, and other European institutions.
In June, 2025, Prof. Masaki Michihata visited the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the national metrology institute of the United States near Washington D.C. The visit provided a rare and valuable opportunity for him to observe and learn about the most advanced measurement technologies currently in development. Prof. Michihata engaged in discussions with several researchers and engineers. He received a detailed explanation from the team leader, Dr. Jay H. Hendricks, about the latest developments in pressure metrology including highly accurate manometers and piston gauges, and a new pressure standard under development known as the fixed length optical cavity (FLOC). He also was introduced to NIST’s capabilities in refractive index measurement using optical frequency combs, as well as their calibration systems for large-scale laser-based distance measurement devices. Furthermore, he observed their high-precision coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), micro-CMMs, and a newly developed ultra-precise caliper system. In addition, he participated in the Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (MSEC) held in Greenville, South Carolina, where he delivered a presentation in the session entitled, “Advances in System-level Modeling and Analysis in Manufacturing Towards Sustainability.” His talk entitled “Concept of Error Compensation for Non-orthogonality in Two-Axis Displacement Measurement System Utilizing Single Grating Scale and Littrow Configuration,” drew several questions from the audience and discussions continued after the presentation where he had the opportunity to become acquainted with professors from other institutions. Although it was his first time participating in MSEC, he found it to be an excellent opportunity to build connections with researchers at universities around the world as well as in the U.S. After the conference, he visited the University of Florida in Gainesville to visit laboratories in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He engaged with several professors and had stimulating discussions about potential collaborations.
The FUTI Travel Award is open to non-tenured, early-stage scholars at the University of Tokyo. Undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible. Eligible fields include Natural Science: e.g., Medical, Biology, Public Health, Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Data Science, Information and technology; STEM-eligible Social Science subjects (broadly defined): e.g., Quantitative Political Science, Economics, and Quantitative Approach to Public Policy. This award provides support for a short-term stay of less than 30 days for attending an international conference of small size (no more than about 300 participants where conference participants stay and have meals together in a small venue) and to conduct a side visit to colleagues at academic institutions.
* This article is based on the reports submitted by the applicants. For details of the program and recipients’ reports, visit friendsofutokyo.org/futitravelaward
