The NF Foundation revealed to award the 9th NF Foundation R&D Encouragement Award to Michio Matsumoto, Independent Scientist in November 2020. The award was set up to encourage young scientists who promote the development of science and technology, and contribute to the healthy society and human welfare. This year's application fields were “advanced measurement and analysis” and “environment and energy”

Matsumoto provided an award lecture at the ceremony held online and was further named for the "outstanding achievement award" among other awardees.