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Big if True Science Accelerator (BiTS) | Japan

A part-time accelerator for scientists to design and lead ambitious, high-impact research programs across climate, biotechnology, and AI/physical technologies.

The International Research Program (IRP), a pilot activity for Japan’s Global Start-up Campus (GSC), aims to attract the world’s most ambitious researchers through collaboration with overseas institutions, under highly innovative research themes with significant social impact. These research themes and associated goals will be designed by Venture Directors (VDs) possessing experience in both research and commercialization in fields such as AI and robotics, biotechnology, and climate technology.

What is BiTS?

The Big if True Science Accelerator (BiTS) trains scientists and technologists to design ambitious, large-scale research programs—the kind that produced transformative technologies like the internet, mRNA vaccines, and autonomous vehicles.

These breakthroughs didn't come from individual labs or companies working alone. They came from coordinated research programs led by visionary program directors who could align multiple institutions, companies, and researchers around a bold goal. BiTS teaches Venture Directors how to become that kind of leader.

On the program, you'll develop a concrete plan for an eight-figure research program and pitch it directly to funders—government agencies, philanthropic foundations, and impact investors. This is for people with big technical ideas that don't fit traditional academic grants or venture capital timelines.

The Program

We will be accepting a maximum of 15 participants across the three categories.

Participants can expect roughly 10 hours per week minimum (flexible around a full-time job). Your time splits between exploratory calls with experts across labs, companies, and government agencies; refining your program thesis through writing and design; one-on-one mentoring with experienced program leaders; small group sessions with fellow participants; and optional "storytime" sessions where successful (and unsuccessful) program directors share lessons.

You'll produce a three-page program proposal and a 15-minute pitch deck. Mentors are primarily former DARPA and ARPA-E program managers with deep experience managing high-risk research.

The program culminates in a demo day where you present to potential funders and host organizations. For background on the approach that inspired BiTS, see this overview of the ARPA model.

What success looks like

BiTS graduates go on to lead ARPA-style programs at government agencies, launch Focused Research Organizations with philanthropic backing, establish thesis-driven research funds, or bring dramatically increased ambition to their existing roles. The program isn't designed to launch startups—it's designed to equip you with the skills and networks to implement large-scale, high-impact research initiatives. Many graduates secure positions at organizations like ARIA or SPRIND, or attract funding to pursue their program vision independently.

Who should apply

You should have graduate-level experience or equivalent industry background—you might be a professor, postdoc, industry researcher, or experienced entrepreneur. A PhD isn't required; what matters is technical credibility and the ability to execute your vision. You'll also need to commit to attending in-person events in Tokyo, Japan (e.g. demo day in May).

There's no cost to participate, and travel and lodging for in-person events are covered. If you have a big technical vision that keeps you up at night but you're unsure how to implement it at scale, BiTS is designed for you.

Research Themes

1) Climate

  • Critical Mineral Extraction and Processing: In-situ extraction techniques, seabed mining, waste recovery, and low-carbon reduction of metal oxides.

  • Geologic or Natural Hydrogen: Finding and development of resource models, and engineering or uses unique to the resource.

  • Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Dealing with extreme weather and the stresses on infrastructure, ecosystems, and vulnerable communities.

  • Big-if-True Ideas: Exceptional program concepts outside those listed above that address a clear gap in the climate and energy security fields relevant to Japan.

2) Cyber-Physical Systems

  • Bio-Health Systems & Platforms

    Technologies focused on biological manufacturing, health monitoring, care delivery, and the data ecosystems that support them, including GMP-grade manufacturing, bio-sensors for screening, bio-data platforms, digital & telemedicine infrastructure, and elder-care robotics.

  • Advanced Connectivity & Compute Infrastructure

    Technologies that create the foundational digital and communications systems required for next-generation applications, including 5G–6G, regional/green data centers, ICT materials and low-loss fiber, and quantum sensing and communications.

  • Smart Autonomous Systems & Applications

    Technologies that combine AI, sensors, automation, and robotics to enable high-performance systems for industry and society, including smart inspection (sensors), digital twins, smart agriculture with AI and sensors, drones, and collaborative robotics.

3) Biotechnology

  • Translational Regenerative Medicine

    Japan’s strong life-sciences ecosystem has driven world-class leadership in regenerative medicine, aging biology, and longevity science. The critical next step is translating this scientific depth into clinical reality: building the systems, technologies, and regulatory frameworks needed to turn stem-cell and tissue-engineering breakthroughs into safe, scalable, and widely accessible therapies. Emerging translational genomic engineering technologies (e.g. CRISPR) and other AI-derived breakthroughs are key developments that can accelerate the journey from bench to bedside. 

  • Digital Bio-Twins: From Physiology to Brain Models

    Advances in biological sensing, multimodal data generation, and large-scale AI have opened the door to next-generation computational biological models that push far beyond traditional “digital twins.” These systems integrate datasets spanning genomics, imaging, physiology, behavior, and brain-level activity into adaptive models capable of predicting human health and disease with unprecedented resolution. At scale, such Bio-Twin platforms could enable population-level virtual trials, accelerate drug R&D, support personalized treatment selection, and unlock new modes of preventive and regenerative care. Japan has already invested heavily in Digital Twin and computational physiology programs; the next frontier is developing AI-first, multimodal, cross-species platforms that establish Japan as a global leader in computational human biology.

  • Reimagining the End-to-End Therapeutics Pipeline

    Japan’s globally significant pharmaceutical sector is exceptionally well placed to harness the shift toward “digital-first” drug discovery and AI-powered R&D. Realizing this opportunity requires rethinking the entire therapeutic pipeline - enabling new modes of discovery, faster validation, next-generation manufacturing, and seamless integration into clinical care.

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FAQ

  • The weekly activities in the BITS program evolve over its 15-week duration. The beginning of the program focuses on field strategy, which involves extensive data collection through conversations with experts to refine the initial idea. This is followed by a stage of idea refinement, where fellows work on structuring their program, often using a framework of questions to clarify their concept. As the program progresses, the focus shifts towards producing and iterating on deliverables, such as a concise two-page program description and a 15-minute pitch deck. Throughout the program, fellows participate in weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions and small group meetings with other fellows.

  • Mentors in the BITS program are primarily former program managers from ARPA agencies like DARPA and ARPA-E. They are selected for their experience in managing advanced R&D. While efforts are made to align mentors with the fellow's technical area, the primary value of the mentorship is in guiding the process of program development and fostering an ambitious mindset. Mentors also provide valuable networking opportunities by connecting fellows with their contacts.

  • Most of the time commitment is estimated at 8-10 hours per week is exploratory calls with experts, reading and writing and can be scheduled on your own time. Mentor sessions are 30-60 minutes per week, scheduled to suit your and your mentor’s schedules. Small group sessions will be allocated partly based on schedule preferences. Weekly office hours and guest lectures are optional and will be recorded for participant access.

  • There is no strict cutoff. We expect the cohort to be a mix of experienced industry professionals, professors and post-docs, exited entrepreneurs and talented individuals in earlier stages of their careers. Experience from more than one sector is a plus but not a must.

  • While the ARPA program manager model centers on a single individual, the BiTS program is open to considering applications from pairs. In such cases, one individual would need to be designated as the primary fellow responsible for the program. The possibility of another team member joining mentorship sessions or other parts of the program can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

  • Yes, you can apply without a current affiliation or if you anticipate a change. However, if you start a new job during the program, it is crucial to ensure that your new employer is supportive of the roughly 10-hour weekly time commitment required for the BITS program.

  • Yes, individuals who are not scientists but have a technical background, such as engineers or technical entrepreneurs, are encouraged to apply. The key consideration is whether the applicant has the necessary experience and credibility to execute the ambitious idea they are proposing. A Ph.D. is not a strict requirement; what matters is the relevant technical and entrepreneurial background.

  • Success for a BITS fellow involves translating their ambitious idea into a concrete and fundable program. This can manifest in several ways, including:

    • Securing a position at an organization like ARIA, SPRIND or ARPA-H.

    • Launching a Focused Research Organization (FRO) with philanthropic funding.

    • Obtaining a role in a traditional philanthropy to deploy large-scale capital.

    • Building their program within a large, well-funded research institute.

    The program culminates in a "demo day" where fellows present their program plans to a variety of potential funders, including ARPAs, philanthropies, and impact investors.

  • The BiTS program focuses on ideas that fall into a specific gap. If a problem can be addressed through a traditional academic grant within a single lab, it may not require the large-scale, coordinated effort that BiTS aims to foster. Similarly, if an idea is mature enough to attract venture capital, it likely doesn't need the kind of high-risk, pre-commercial investment that organizations like ARIA or philanthropic funders provide. The program seeks to support projects that are either too early for venture funding or are public goods that cannot be privately monetized.

  • We encourage applications from Europe and Africa, within 2 hours difference from GMT. In addition, all participants have to be able to join the in-person kickoff in September and demo day in December. As long as you meet those requirements, you are welcome to apply.