Foundations and Scholarships

Established in 1973, the foundation aims to contribute to education through the promotion, research and development of audio visual and information technologies and materials. Currently, it provides grants to schools, teachers and professors for projects and related research aimed at utilizing audio visual and information technologies to enhance education; participates in and supports research activities; and holds training programs and seminars. In addition, the foundation oversees Panasonic's video-based educational program, Kid Witness News, in Japan and, in collaboration with the company, carries out make-your-own battery workshops for children throughout the country.

Inaugurated in 1983 with the support of Panasonic's founder- Konosuke Matsushita, the foundation aims to promote the development and dissemination of science and technology by awarding the prestigious Japan Prize, holding seminars open to the general public on latest scientific and technological developments and providing research grants to young scientists. Referred to as Japan's Nobel Prize, the Japan Prize is presented annually to scientists and researchers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology as well as to the promotion of peace and the prosperity of mankind.

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The foundation was established in 1988 to help support the "The International Garden and Greenery Exposition '90," an international exposition held in Osaka to promote the harmonious coexistence between nature and mankind. In commemoration of the exposition, the foundation continues to promote the concept of coexistence between nature and mankind by annually awarding the Konosuke Matsushita Expo '90 Prize to individuals and organizations based in Japan that have made significant academic achievements and contributions in this area, and holding lectures on environmental themes for the public.

Established in 1968 on the centennial anniversary of the Meiji Restoration by Panasonic's founder, Konosuke Matsushita, the institution aims to preserve and maintain historical monuments and sites located in Kyoto that were vital to the restoration as well as to promote Japanese history and traditional culture. To fulfill its mission, the institution established and currently manages the Ryozen Museum of History, the first museum in Japan dedicated to the Meiji Restoration and the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, and holds lectures about the time period and its key figures.

To promote the advancement of higher education in China and the development of future scientists and technology specialists, Panasonic donated US$1 million to the China Friendship and Peace Fund to establish the scholarship program in June 1995. Scholarships are awarded annually to academically outstanding students who are enrolled at China universities and in need of financial assistance.

Established in 1979 by Thayeb M. Gobel, founder of the Panasonic Group in Indonesia, and Konosuke Matsushita, founder of Panasonic, the foundation aims to contribute to the education and welfare of the Indonesian nation. The nonprofit organization offers training programs and workshops on engineering, manufacturing and business management to the general public and small and medium enterprises.

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Panasonic initiated a scholarship program in 1993 to promote education and the development of less-privileged Filipino youth. Through the program, promising students are given scholarships covering tuition and allowance to complete a degree in engineering, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, marine science, biology, chemistry, physics, and information technology at designated state universities.

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Marking its 10th anniversary in the UK, Panasonic established the trust in 1984 to assist engineers out in the workforce to stay on top of new developments and technologies in the field. The trust, which is administered by the Royal Academy of Engineering, provides grants annually to a selected number of high caliber engineers who will enroll in Master of Science courses or other high-level educational courses at higher learning institutions in the UK. The grant program was further in enhanced in 1997 to celebrate the company's 25th year in the kingdom.

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In 1984, the foundation was established to help US public school systems serving high percentages of children in poverty improve learning for all students. Instead of awarding grants, the foundation forms long-term partnerships with public school districts and works together with the superintendent, school board, unions, teachers, administrators, parents and other parties involved to restructure education systems. Utilizing the ESSPAR Protocol - its signature evaluation tool for assessing progress on systemic education reform, the program includes seminars, consultations and workshops led by teams of the foundation's consultants.

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