Purpose of the foundation

Accelerator science includes basic science such as high-energy physics, which investigates the ultimate state of matter to clarify the origins of nature and the forces; material and life sciences, which elucidates the structure and function of material including various substance or biological molecules such as genes. The research also includes ultra-fine processing of next-generation semiconductor devices, superfine trace analysis of rare samples or cultural assets, development research on solar cells, batteries, fuel cells, and a myriad of other industrial applications, as well as applied medical research such as diagnostic imaging and radiation/particle therapy.
The huge facilities and various equipment built for research are by themself a compilation of state-of-the-art technologies developed with the cooperation of outstanding private companies which are utilized later in the fields of electromagnets, ultra-high vacuum, superconductivity, cryogenics, high-power radio frequency, IT technologies and so forth.
　Thus, the outcomes from accelerator science of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) is expected to have a broad ripple effect not only in the natural sciences but also in industry, and the advanced technologies developed here will be applied to a variety of industries. In order to accelerate such social implementation, it is necessary to promote active research through the co-creation of researchers and engineers in industry, academia, and government, and to devise measures to actively support such research.
　The High Energy Accelerator Science foundation was established in 1977 as a voluntary organization to promote technical exchanges between the government and private sectors and international exchanges of researchers and engineers. With recognition of greater importance to develop and foster accelerator science for the effective use of the technical results in various sectors, such as industry, agriculture, and medicine, it was reformed to a public utility foundation named as the Foundation for High Energy Accelerator Science and started to provide grants and awards for important or outstanding works in those fields.