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. Applications are now open.
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 (VDs) - science leaders capable of designing and implementing ambitious R&D programs - how to become that kind of leader.
On the program, you'll develop a concrete plan for a large-scale, multi-year 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. In Japan, BiTS serves as a core talent pipeline for the Global Startup Campus (GSC), and is delivered as part of the GSC Initiative’s International Research Program (IRP).
The Global Startup Campus Initiative is a Japanese government program aimed at creating Japan-origin deep-tech startups while attracting outstanding talents and investment from around the world.
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 VDs — trained through programs such as BiTS — possessing experience in both research and commercialization in fields such as AI and robotics, biotechnology, and climate technology.
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
A core outcome of the BiTS Accelerator in Japan is the appointment of participants as Venture Directors. Becoming a VD represents the transition from training to execution and is the primary marker of success for top BiTS participants.
Beyond VD appointments, 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 is not designed to launch startups; rather, it equips participants with the skills and networks required to implement large-scale, high-impact research initiatives. Many graduates secure positions at organizations such as 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. While the program does not require Japanese citizenship or current residency, you'll 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
Systems, technologies, and regulatory frameworks needed to turn stem-cell and bioengineering breakthroughs into safe, scalable, and widely accessible therapies.Digital Bio-Twins
Next-generation computational biological models that move beyond traditional digital twins, integrating multimodal data across genomics, imaging, physiology, behavior, and brain-level activity.Reimagining the End-to-End Therapeutics Pipeline
Technologies and system-level ideas that transform how therapeutics are discovered, validated, manufactured, and delivered.
Applications are now open. Submit your application by Sunday, February 22, 2026, and join our Q&A webinar on February 9, 2026 to learn more.
Timeline
First Q&A webinar: 7 January 2026
Second webinar: 9 February 2026. RSVP here.
Applications due: 22 February 2026
Selection notification: 6 March 2026
In-person BiTS Japan kickoff: week of 23 March 2026, in Tokyo
In-person Demo Day: week of 28 June 2026, in Tokyo
Our Partners
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Success for a BITS participant 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 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.
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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.
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We welcome applications from anywhere around the world. The program does not require Japanese citizenship or current residency. However, we look for applicants who are willing to move to Japan to take on a Venture Director or similar role. Please do not apply if you are not open to moving to, or spending, the majority of your time in Japan starting Q3-Q4 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
NB: The information presented above is prior to contract finalization and the program details may be subject to change.
