The Young CFD Investigator Award recognizes outstanding early-career researchers who are shaping the future of computational fluid dynamics. The award honors the legacy of Professor Kunio Kuwahara, a pioneering scientist whose work and vision helped establish CFD as a powerful tool for addressing complex problems in fluid mechanics and fostering international collaboration.
Inspired by this legacy, the Award celebrates researchers who demonstrate:
- Scientific excellence and originality in CFD,
- Innovative approaches to challenging fluid dynamics problems,
- Strong potential for leadership within the international CFD community.
By supporting emerging leaders in the field, ICCFD continues its long-standing mission to advance both fundamental understanding and applied innovation in computational fluid dynamics.
The Award originates from an initiative of the committee members of the International Nobeyama Workshop in honor of Professor Kunio Kuwahara, established to commemorate his remarkable contributions to CFD and to international scientific exchange.
Eligibility and Application Procedure
- Candidates must be 35 years old or younger at the time of the conference.
- The candidate must be the presenting author and must personally present the paper at the conference.
- A conference paper must be submitted within the official submission deadlines.
- Applicants must indicate their intention to apply by selecting the option “Apply for Young CFD Investigator Award” during the abstract submission process.*
- Selection is based on both the quality of the submitted paper and the oral presentation.
- The recipient will be selected by the ICCFD Executive Board from among the eligible applicants.
- The Award consists of a plaque and a grant of USD 300, to be presented during the conference banquet.
*If this option was not available at the time of submission, applicants should update their submission or contact the Conference Chair no later than 10 March 2026.
About Professor Kunio Kuwahara (1942–2008)
Professor Kunio Kuwahara was a pioneering figure in computational fluid dynamics and an early leader in applying numerical methods to complex fluid mechanics problems.
He began his research career at the University of Tokyo under Professor Imai. His first publication in 1969 addressed steady viscous flow within a circular boundary and already reflected his integration of theoretical and numerical approaches. In the 1970s, he conducted pioneering studies on the vortex method, and in the following decades advanced the numerical analysis of three-dimensional unsteady incompressible and compressible flows, as well as complex fluid phenomena.
Professor Kuwahara founded and led the International CFD (ICFD) research institute in Tokyo, where he developed dedicated supercomputers in collaboration with academic and industrial partners, significantly expanding computational capabilities during a formative period for the field.
He was equally committed to scientific exchange and mentorship. Through the Nobeyama Workshops, he created an internationally recognized forum that brought together leading researchers and young scientists to discuss frontier challenges in fluid physics and engineering.
In recognition of his contributions, Professor Kuwahara received numerous prestigious honors, including awards from the Japan Society of Automobile Engineers and the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Computational Mechanics Achievement Award, and the Max Planck Research Award. He was also instrumental in supporting the development of the Japan Society of Fluid Mechanics.
Professor Kunio Kuwahara passed away on 15 September 2008 at the age of 66. His scientific achievements, international outlook, and dedication to fostering the next generation of researchers continue to inspire the global CFD community.