The Canon Foundation was established to promote and develop academia and culture by providing grants-in-aid to fund research, businesses, education, and other initiatives across a wide range of science and technology and other areas of academic and cultural interest, thus contributing to improved quality of life and the greater prosperity of human society.

Canon Inc. established the Canon Foundation in 2008 to commemorate the company's 70th anniversary.
The Canon Foundation provides grants to comprehensive research projects focused on a scientific and technological core that expand our collective wisdom and contribute to the continued prosperity of humanity.

1. Science and Technology that Achieve a Good Future
2. Science and Technology that Create New Industries

Grants are open to persons employed by any Japanese university, graduate school (including affiliated institutes), inter-university research institute, technical college, or other public research institute or the like who can remain fully engaged in research at the relevant institute. Grants are intended for persons who intend to reside in Japan during the grant period, but no restrictions exist regarding the applicants' nationality.