“academist” and Sysmex R&D Center Europe to Begin Collaborating in Exploring and Nurturing “Research Seeds” in Europe

academist, Inc., which operates Japan's first academic crowdfunding platform ( https://academist-cf.com/?lang=en ), and Sysmex R&D Center Europe GmbH (hereinafter “Sysmex R&D Center Europe,” https://www.sysmex-rdce.com/ ), which is engaged in supporting the Sysmex Group’s operations for research and development and introduction of products to markets in Europe, begin to collaborate toward exploring and nurturing “research seeds” (*) in the area of healthcare at European universities’ research labs.

(*) Research with a high possibility of bearing fruit in the future

(Image: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M106952/202112144968/_prw_PI1fl_60c0Lo4x.jpg)

- Background

academist released an industry-academia collaborative support service called “academist Grant” ( https://academist-cf.com/grant?lang=en ) in February 2021 and has since been creating contact points between researchers at universities and companies through support provided by private corporations in the form of research funds.

On the other hand, while proceeding with the globalization of R&D functions, the Sysmex Group established Sysmex R&D Center Europe as its stronghold in Europe and has been promoting open innovations with medical and research institutions.

- Content of collaboration

The two companies will solicit innovative basic research themes for shaping the advancement of healthcare from researchers residing in Europe by utilizing academist Grant’s crowdfunding scheme. Any nationality of researchers is acceptable. Applicants who have passed the first round of screening will hold out their research themes and try crowdfunding through academist. Sysmex R&D Center Europe will provide additional funding to those challengers who have secured the target amount of funds.

This will make it possible to explore and nurture research seeds incorporating opinions from various stakeholders including individual supporters. The companies are planning to announce specific application details and start recruiting researchers in February 2022. Researchers can make advance registrations on the following website, which will provide the latest information on the project, such as the start of recruitment.

Advance registration form: https://academist-cf.com/companies/sysmex-rdce?lang=en