The Japan Open Innovation Prize (JOIP) was launched aiming at appreciating most leading and original initiatives expected to be used as future role models to further promote open innovations in Japan.

In February, 2019, Osaka University, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Daikin Industries, Ltd. won the MEXT Award at the 1st JOIP. The award was sponsored by the Cabinet Office for "University-Industry Co-creation from the Basic Research Stage -Collaboration between Organizations", and IFReC has greatly contributed to the contract between Osaka universisty and Chugai Pharma Co. The award ceremoy wll be held on March 5, 2019 in Tokyo.