Professor Yonezo Morino (1908*-1995+), an outstanding molecular scientist in Japan, founded the Morino Foundation for Molecular Science (or expressed simply as the Morino Foundation) in 1985 donating his personal property. The main intention of the foundation is to encourage young scientists of great promise, in the field of the molecular science, by supporting them financially. On his death in 1995, the fund received a rich legacy. Furthermore his wife, Mrs. Yoshi Morino, donated to the Morino Foundation all her inheritance on her death in 2005. The scientific work of Professor Morino is summarized in a special issue of the Journal of Molecular Structure in 1995, by Hirota, Kimura, Kuchitsu, and Tanimoto. The term "Molecular Science" was introduced in Japan by Professor Morino and others in early 1960s and the establishment of the Institute of Molecular Science in Okazaki, 1975, is a brilliant result of their endeavor.
Presently, the Morino Foundation supports four kinds of activities. The first one is the Morino Lecture. We invite excellent scientists from overseas and give young Japanese scientists chances to discuss directly with them. The first Morino Lecturer was Prof. Polanyi in 1986. Since then, we invite a few scientists each year as the Morino Lecturer.
The second activity is to offer Research Funds to promising young molecular scientists. Each year two or three awardees are selected.
The third activity is to support International Conferences organized by molecular scientists in Japan
The fourth activity is the support for Traveling Expenses to the molecular scientists in Japan who wish to report their results at the international meetings held abroad.
If you wish to have any support from the Morino Foundation, please contact the steering committee.