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On April 1, 2026, the award ceremony for the second cohort of the "JPF Scholarship" was held, and nine new scholarship recipients were selected. This year, the number of recipients has been expanded from the three in the first cohort last year, with a total of nine recipients, including two female athletes. This has created a system to support student cyclists with more diverse backgrounds. In addition, two members from the first cohort, Hyoukai Kiuchi and Yuta Uchino, have been selected again as recipients of the second cohort, and continue to participate in the program as role models who successfully balance academics and athletics.

The JPF Scholarship is a program that supports students involved in cycling, helping them balance their studies and athletic pursuits while developing into individuals who can contribute to society in the future. It aims not only to improve athletic performance but also to cultivate individuals who can give back to society the experience gained through their sport. At the award ceremony, each scholarship recipient shared their future goals and aspirations, providing an opportunity to share a strong determination towards their respective challenges. JPF will continue to work through this program to contribute to the development of cycling and the nurturing of the next generation of talent, while also promoting the creation of social value through sports.

Representative Director Shuntaro Watanabe

Thank you for applying to the JPF Scholarship, and congratulations on your selection. This scholarship program is now in its second year, and the number of applicants has increased compared to last year. I believe that this program is gradually expanding thanks to the achievements of the first cohort of recipients. I would like to share with you the thoughts behind the JPF Scholarship program. Sports inherently have the power to attract people, move their hearts, and influence society. Of course, achieving results in competition is important, but it is also crucial to consider how much support you receive from others and how positively you can influence those around you. Having worked with many top athletes, I have strongly felt that they have the potential to become individuals who can influence society beyond the confines of their sport. That is why this scholarship was established not only to support the improvement of athletic ability, but also with the hope that you will become individuals who will support the cycling world and society in the future. For now, please focus on your competition. That is your top priority. On top of that, I hope you will also focus on becoming someone who is supported by many people, and on communicating with others and building a fanbase. And in the future, I hope that you will grow into someone who supports society. To that end, please take an interest in fields other than competition, broaden your horizons, and improve yourself. We hope this scholarship will support your endeavors and lead to a brighter future. We sincerely look forward to your future success.

Managing Director Yuhei Kuroe

This scholarship program aims to encourage young people to take on challenges that expand their potential as part of their long-term life planning. Young people have ample free time and lower barriers to entry for challenges, making it crucial to actively engage in a variety of activities. Generally, the probability of success doesn't vary significantly, so increasing the number of attempts leads to better results. Challenging yourself in diverse fields, not just sports, broadens your experience and, as a result, increases your chances of success. We hope this scholarship will be used as an investment in such experiences. Time is a valuable asset, and dedicating it not only to sports but also to learning and experience enhances your human capital and expands your future possibilities. Furthermore, we hope that you will cultivate the ability to articulate your experiences and thoughts through sharing on social media and other platforms, making this a fruitful year.

[JPF Scholarship Recipients for Fiscal Year 2026 (in no particular order)]

・Sotaro Karimine Affiliation: Doshisha University / Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences
Event: BMX
Major achievements: 2024 All Japan rider- BMX Racing Men's Junior 1st place

・Hyogai Kiuchi Affiliation: Nippon Sport Science University / Department of Sports Management
Event: BMX
Major achievements: 2025 Asian rider- BMX Racing Men's U23 2nd place

・Ryunosuke Kishi Affiliation: Hosei University / Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences
Event: BMX
Major achievements: 2024 Asian rider- BMX Racing Men's Junior 3rd place

・Yuta Uchino Affiliation: Kumamoto Prefectural University / Faculty of Integrated Management
Event: MTB
Main achievements: 4th place in the All Japan rider MTB-XCC/XCO-

・Ren Mochizuki Affiliation: Nihon University / College of Humanities and Sciences
Event: Road
Main achievements: Tour de l'avenir Stage 3 U23 29th place

・Mia Nabeshima Affiliation: Hosei University / Faculty of Letters, Department of English Literature
Events: Track and Road
Main achievements: 2nd place in 3 events at the 2025 All Japan rider Track Race.

Affiliation: Hosei University / Faculty of Law
Event: Track ・Road
Major Results: 2025 All Japan Student Cycling Track 1st place, Men's Point Race, Rookie East Japan Tournament

・Aimi Shirai Affiliation: Nippon Sport Science University
Event: Track Road
Main results: 2025 Japan Track Cup I & II Women's Junior Scratch Winner

・Takagi Sora Affiliation: University of Tokyo / College of Arts and Sciences, Humanities II
Events: Track and Road
Main achievements: 2025 All Japan Intercollegiate Individual Road Time Trial Cycling Championships, C3, 15th place