News / July 15, 2026 Awardees Announced

July 15, 2026 Awardees Announced

September 10, 2026

The Oka Fund and Laurasian Institution are thrilled to announce the awardees for our inaugural round of grants. Congratulations to the successful applicants, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who applied during the July 15 cycle!

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Program Enrichment & Advocacy

• Anne Hooghart, Hinoki Foundation, Inc., Michigan — $1,000

• Akiko Praylow, Marshall University Research Corporation, West Virginia — $1,000

Educator Professional Development

• Noriko Fujioka-Ito, University of Cincinnati, Kentucky — $1,000

Student Assistance

• Samiyah Battle, Michigan — $2,000

• Anthony Bronaugh, Michigan — $1,250

• Ava Bronaugh, Michigan — $2,000

• Kakuko Katayama, Hong Kong — $1,000

• Lisa Matsukata, California — $2,250

• Sydney Michael, Yamaguchi, Japan — $2,500