Logistics

Monday, January 26, 2026 | 13:00-14:00 | Lab 5 Room D23 | In-Person | English | No registration required

Seminar

BiTS and Pieces of the Global Startup Campus

The Japan Government's Global Startup Campus Initiative was launched to attract world-class researchers, startups, and investors to pilot ambitious programs in international research, venture building, and fellowships. As part of this initiative, U.S.-based Renaissance Philanthropy has been selected by the Japanese Government to deploy their Big If True Science (BiTS) Accelerator Program in Japan to train Venture Directors, science leaders capable of designing and implementing ambitious R&D programs focused on climate, biotechnology, and AI/physical technologies, and training a pipeline of next-generation science leaders through fellowship programs.

Join Dr. Douglas Wicks, Strategic Director of BiTS Japan, as he previews the inaugural Japan training program and invites OIST faculty, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to participate!

About BiTS Japan

BiTS Japan is a 15-week, part-time training program to instill knowledge of how to define BIG problems that face mankind, identify the metrics that, if achieved, could catalyze serious change and how to manage the cooperative research program to solve the problem. The training program was developed based on vast experience of the developers as they executed more than $1B of research programs. Key aspects of the BiTS Japan program include:

• Open application regardless of citizenship or residency
• Up to 15 participants selected
• Training program conducted in English in JST time
• Requires ~10 hours/week of self-directed learning and group meetings, with 2 one-week sessions in Tokyo (all expenses covered)
• Experienced mentors assigned to each selected participant

For more information about BiTS Japan and to apply (applications due 22 February 2026), visit: BiTS Japan

Who Should Attend the Seminar

Faculty, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs interested in training opportunities to guide ambitious scientific programs in climate, cyber-physical systems, and biotechnology.

* This seminar is organized by OIST Innovation. Questions? Contact innovation@oist.jp