Japan Grants Navigator

ACT-X

Goal: “Establishment of an Individual”. Young researchers must solve critical issues faced by Japan under the research theme and guidance of a JST-appointed Research Supervisor. Interdisciplinarity is encouraged

RESEARCH FIELD: 2024 Research Areas (9)
Open calls FY2024: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian/top/ryoiki.html (Japanese only)
All (incl. past) calls: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/act-x/en/research_area/index.html (English)

FUNDING CATEGORY: Strategic Basic Research Programs (SBRP)

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: ACT-X Principal Investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: ACT-X Principal Investigator (PI) may be of any nationality. BSc holders (for less than 13 years),
• Career Stage: PhD students, or post-docs (<8 years) may apply, however must have worked at a research institution in Japan and be able to stay until the ACT-X project is completed

BUDGET AND DURATION: Direct costs: ¥4.5-6 million for the entire research period (max 2 years and 6 months). Indirect costs up to 30% of direct costs

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: RSs call for proposals (60-90 projects/area). Calls are open several times separately and selection criteria may vary.
[FY2024]: April 9th to May 28th 2024 by 12 pm JST. Approx. 30 projects accepted. For open calls see: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian/top/ryoiki.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
FY2024: CLOSED (May 28, 2024, 12 pm JST). For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian-en.html
FY2025: N/A

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Department of Strategic Research Promotion
Phone: 03-6380-9130
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/act-x/en/

AIMGAIN: Alliance program for Innovative Medical/healthcare research by Government-Academia-Industry Collaboration

Government-Industry-Academia collaborations over multiple years, targeting non-competitive areas that are difficult for a single academic or industrial partner to tackle alone, as well as R&D of innovative pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare, etc. that are impossible to create through conventional schemes

Two types of calls are offered: Academia; Startup

RESEARCH FIELD: Medical and Healthcare

FUNDING CATEGORY: N/A

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Researcher

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Researchers of any nationality who belong to domestic research institutions in Japan (National, public and private universities and R&D institutes, corporations, companies, etc). Currently, 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress
• Career Stage: N/A

BUDGET AND DURATION: For details see (Japanese only): https://www.amed.go.jp/koubo/18/03/1803B_00040.html
[FY2024, 4th call]
Budget (shared: AMED-partner industry)

[Academia type]: up to 5 years (Dec 2025-Dec 2029)
Budget (per project): AMED ¥1.9 to 600 million; total (+industry) ¥380 million to ¥1.2 billion
Number of projects: approx. 8 (depending on budget)

[Startup type]: up to 5 years (Dec 2025 - Dec 2029)
Budget (per project): AMED ¥1.9 to 600 million; total (+industry) ¥380 million to ¥1.2 billion
Number of projects: approx. 15 (depending on budget)

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
[FY2024, 4th call]: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, noon (JST). Guidelines only available in Japanese

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): FY2024 CLOSED. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/program/list/18/03/002.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
AMED, R&D Promotion Office, Fund Business Division
E-mail: kikin-sangakukan@amed.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/program/list/18/03/002.html

ALCA-Next: Advanced Technologies for Carbon Neutrality

Basic research on innovative technologies (not extensions of conventional technologies) aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050

Two types of calls are offered:

1. [Individual type (Japan-based)]: based on ideas of individual researchers. From 2024, including Feasibility Studies (FS)
2. [Joint call]: Japanese-overseas funding agency (only one currently active: (Japan-UK, JST-EPSRC)

RESEARCH FIELD: Carbon neutrality (Environment and Energy Transition)
• Energy Storage
• Energy Conversion
• Resource Circulation
• Green Biotechnology
• Semiconductor
• Green Computing and DX

FUNDING CATEGORY: Strategic Basic Research Programs (SBRP) - Advanced Technologies for Carbon-Neutral

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual/Joint call
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: [Individual call (Japan-based)]: Principal Investigator (PI). Researchers belonging to overseas R&D institutions may participate as Principal Co-Investigators

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation:

[Japan-based - individual calls]: Principal Investigator (PI) may be of any nationality, however they must be affiliated with an R&D institution in Japan upon slection
[Joint calls (Japanese-overseas funding agency)]: Japan-side research team: researchers of any nationality can apply (same conditions as above). One joint call currently active: UK-Japan

• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
[Small phase (year 1 to 4)]: up to ¥25 million per year. Duration: 3.5 years
[Acceleration phase (year 5 to 7)]: up to ¥75 million per year. Duration: 3 years
[Feasiblity Study (year 1 to 2)]: Up to ¥2.5 million per year (direct costs)
Indirect costs are covered up to 30% of the amount of direct costs

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
FY2024
[Individual call] March 14 to May 8, 2024, by 12 pm JST. (via e-Rad). Details vary depending on the research area. Please see the application guidelines (chapter 6) at: https://www.jst.go.jp/alca/koubo/2024/index.html
[Joint call] applicants submit their proposals along with the partner funding agency

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
• FY2024: CLOSED (Application Period: March 14, 2024, to May 8, 2024, 12 pm JST)
• FY2025: n/a. For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/alca/en/koubo/index.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Department of R&D for Future Creation
7, Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0076 Japan
TEL +81-3-6272-4004
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/alca/en/index.html
E-mail: alca-next@jst.go.jp

AMED Integrated Projects

Six “Integrated Projects” from basic research to practical application, aimed at extending healthy longevity

RESEARCH FIELD: Themes: “prevention, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and quality of life” divided into six programs:
1- Advanced Drug Discovery and Development
2- Medical Device and Healthcare
3- Regenerative Medicine and Cell and Gene Therapies
4- Genome and Health-Related Data
5- Basic Medical Research
6- Seeds Development and Research Base

FUNDING CATEGORY: Top-down research

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team. Partner countries not specified. Currently 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress. Each program is under the supervision of a Program Supervisor and Program Officers in coordination with related ministries and agencies
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Reseacher

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Any nationality may apply, however, applicants must be affiliated with a research institution in Japan
• Career Stage: N/A

BUDGET AND DURATION: Depends on the Program. For details see: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/index.html

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
Check the website for details on individual Programs: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/index.html
For open calls see: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
FY2025: OPEN. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Contacts depend on the specific Program. Check the individual programme's homepage at: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/index.html

AMED-CREST (unit-type)

Unit projects led by a principal investigator (PI) and designed with government-defined goals, supervisors, and officers

RESEARCH FIELD: Medical/Healthcare

FUNDING CATEGORY: Innovation and Clinical Research Center Project

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual/Team. Partner countries not specified. Currently, 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY

• Country of Affiliation: Individual/groups of researchers of any nationality affiliated with R&D institutions in Japan (national, public and private universities, national and public R&D institutes, companies, national R&D corporations, etc.) may apply.
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral
  

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Research expenses: ¥150 to 500 million (per team)
Research period: 5 and a half years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
FY2024: no open calls
FY2023 recruitment: April 11 - May 30, 2023 (by 12 pm JST)

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
AMED
Innovative Advanced R&D Division,
Seeds Development and Research Infrastructure dept.
Phone: 03-6870-2224
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/16/02/001.html

AMED-PRIME (solo-type)

Individual projects led by a PI and designed with government-defined goals, supervisors, and officers

RESEARCH FIELD: Medical/Healthcare

FUNDING CATEGORY: Innovation and Clinical Research Center Project

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual/Team. Partner countries not specified. Currently, 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY

• Country of Affiliation: Individual/groups of researchers of any nationality affiliated with R&D institutions in Japan (national, public and private universities, national and public R&D institutes, companies, national R&D corporations, etc.) may apply.
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Research expenses: ¥30 to 40 million (per individual)

Research period: 3 and a half years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
FY2024: no open calls
FY2023 recruitment: April 11 - May 30, 2023 (by 12 pm JST)

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
AMED
Innovative Advanced R&D Division,
Seeds Development and Research Infrastructure dept.
Phone: 03-6870-2224
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/16/02/001.html

ASPIRE: Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for an Innovative Research Ecosystem (AMED)

Large-scale joint projects initiated by the Japanese government in collaboration with countries with advanced science and technology

RESEARCH FIELD: Healthcare
[FY2024 call]
Cellular Structure and Function; Complex Systems of Living Organisms; Human Life Stages. (Phase: Basic Study, Applied Study, Nonclinical Study/Pre-clinical Study)

FUNDING CATEGORY: Advanced International Collaborative Research Program

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team (joint Japan-overseas)
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation:

[Japan-based researchers]
Researchers affiliated with a Japanese institution may apply. Overseas applicants must secure Japanese affiliation upon selection

[Partner Overseas]
Must be funded by - or applying for funding from - an eligible funding agency (FA). Applications from Japan will be rejected if the partner fails to secure funding from partner FA. Parter countries: Australia, Canada, EU, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US

[Partner funding agency (FA)]
Unlisted FAs in Europe/North America may qualify with AMED’s prior approval (contact amed-aspire@amed.go.jp) Funding agencies in Sweden: Vetenskapsrådet - Swedish Research Council (SRC); The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT); Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF); Vinnova

• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION: Funding agencies in Japan and partner countries cooperate in setting the research budget and period
[FY2024 Call]
Up to ¥115 million per project (total for the entire period). Period: 3-5 years (FY2024 to FY2029)
Expected number of projects selected: 0-3

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Deadline: May 28th, 2024 by 12 pm JST
Japan-based applicants must submit their applications via e-Rad

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A
For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
AMED
Division of Research Program
Department of International Strategy
E-mail: amed-aspire@amed.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/20/01/009.html
YouTube (recordings of symposia and conferences): https://www.youtube.com/@amed

ASPIRE: Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (JST)

International collaborative research connecting top researchers in Japan and overseas through joint research projects, accelerating talent circulation across the world

Two types of calls are offered:
(1) Japan based (Top Scientists; Rising Scientists)
(2) Joint call

RESEARCH FIELD: Designated by MEXT
- AI and Information
- Biotechnology
- Energy
- Materials
- Quantum
- Semiconductors
- Telecommuincations

FUNDING CATEGORY: International collaboration

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual/Joint call
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: [Japan-based Principal Investigator (PI)] must be affiliated in Japan. Nationality requirements not specified
  [Overseas Principal Investigator (PI)] must be already receiving or currently applying for funding from partner funding agencies. Partner countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US. For the latest info see: https://www.jst.go.jp/aspire/en/index.html (Multiple partner countries might be possible. Contact aspire@jst.go.jp to confirm the eligibility of partner PIs)
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
[Japan-based, Top scientists]
Budget: ¥380 million (¥500 million incl. indirect costs) for approx. 5 years (Dec. 2024 - March 2030). Number of projects: Approx. 15 across all research fields
[Japan-based, Rising scientists]
Budget: ¥69 million (¥90 million incl. indirect costs) for approx. 3 years (Dec. 2024 - March 2028). Number of projects: Approx. 20 across all research fields

[Joint call]
Budget: up to ¥500 million incl. indirect costs (in consultation with the partner funding agency) for 3 to 5 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: See website for details on each call: https://www.jst.go.jp/aspire/en/program_e/announce_e/

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
FY2024: CLOSED. For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/aspire/en/program_e/announce_e/

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
[Japan based Applicants]
TOP: aspire@jst.go.jp
Rising: aspirers@jst.go.jp

[Joint calls]
Dept. of International Affairs
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/aspire/en/
UK: aspire-uk@jst.go.jp
US: aspire-gc@jst.go.jp
Germany: aspire-de@jst.go.jp
Netherlands: aspire-nl@jst.go.jp

CREST: Core Research for Evolution of Science and Technology (JST)

Basic research aiming at socio-economic transformation. JST-appointed Research Supervisors form teams of Research Directors and young researchers (post-docs and students)

RESEARCH FIELD: Science & Technology. Open calls FY2024: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian/top/ryoiki.html (Japanese only)
All (incl. past) calls: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/crest/en/research_area/index.html (English)

FUNDING CATEGORY: Strategic Basic Research Programs (SBRP)

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team. Teams should be interdisciplinary (industry/humanities/social sciences)
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Research Supervisor (RS); Research Directors (RD)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Research Supervisor (RS) and Research Directors (RD) may be of any nationality and affiliated with any R&D institution in Japan or overseas at the time of application. If selected, they must affiliate with a research institution in Japan
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION: ¥150-500 million per team for 5 years and 6 months or less

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: FY2024: June 4, 2024, 12 pm JST (tentative start: October 1st, 2024)
Info: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian-en.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): FY2024: CLOSED (May 28, 2024, 12 pm JST). For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian-en.html
FY2025: N/A

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dept. of Strategic Research Promotion
Phone: 03-3512-3531
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/crest/en/index.html

ERATO: Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology

Transformative basic research (not an expansion of on-going projects) targeting straretgic objectives defined by MEXT. Focus is on people and interdisciplinarity

RESEARCH FIELD: Science & Technology (Life Innovation, Nanotechnology & Materials, Information and Communication Technology, etc.). JST sets the research area

FUNDING CATEGORY: Strategic Basic Research Programs (SBRP)

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Research Director (RD), acting as Project Leader (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY: JST identifies prospective Research Directors (RD) through surveys and references from external experts and invites candidates to submit a proposal. Research Directors design projects and establish research teams of young researchers from various backgrounds and domestic/overseas organizations

• Country of Affiliation: Research Directors (RD) may be of any nationality and come from academia/industry/government in Japan or overseas, but must be affiliated with a Japanese research institution upon selection
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION: Up to ¥1.2 billion per project for approx. 5 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: JST accepts e-mail nominations throughout the year
FY2024: nominations must arrive by September 18, 2023 (JST)

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): OPEN. E-mail nominations are accepted throughout the year. Nominations received by Monday, September 30, 2024 (JST) will be considered as ERATO Research Director candidates for FY2025

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Research Project Promotion Department
K’s Goban-cho Bldg., 7 Goban-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 102-0076
Tel: +81-3-3512-3528
E-mail: eratowww@jst.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/erato/en/index.html

FORCE: Frontier Outstanding Research for Clinical Empowerment (step-type)

Step-type projects supporting prospective research advancing results from CREST, PRIME, and other projects, including correlation of results to target diseases and validation of analytical methods, devices, and instruments using human clinical samples

RESEARCH FIELD: Medical/Healthcare

FUNDING CATEGORY: Innovation and Clinical Research Center Project

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual/Team. Partner countries not specified. Currently, 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY

• Country of Affiliation: Individual/groups of researchers of any nationality affiliated with R&D institutions in Japan (national, public and private universities, national and public R&D institutes, companies, national R&D corporations, etc.) may apply.
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Research expenses: <¥20 million per year
Research period: within 2 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
FY2024: no open calls
FY2023 recruitment: April 11 - May 30, 2023 (by 12 pm JST)

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
AMED
Innovative Advanced R&D Division,
Seeds Development and Research Infrastructure dept.
Phone: 03-6870-2224
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/16/02/001_force.html

JICA/SATREPS (JST)

Japanese government program that promotes international joint research aimed at solving global issues. JST provides research funding at research institutions in Japan, while JICA provides technical support in developing countries

RESEARCH FIELD:
• Environment and Energy
• Bioresources
• Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
• Infectious Disease Control (via AMED)

More info at: https://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/about/area_of_research.html

FUNDING CATEGORY: Invitational program

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: 

OPEN POSITION: Researcher

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Individual researchers affiliated with any R&D institute or independent administrative agency in Japan. Partner countries (as of April 202): 183 joint research projects in 57 countries globally have been launched
• Career Stage: N/A

BUDGET AND DURATION: JST/JICA budget: Approx. ¥100 million per project per year. Duration: 3 to 5 years
[Funding split] JST: ¥35 million per year (max. ¥175 million over 5 years). JICA: Max.¥300 million over 5 years/¥240 million over 4 years/¥180 million over 3 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
[FY2025 recruitment]: Late August to Late October 2024 (tentative). Note: the research institute in the partner country must submit an Official Development Assistance (ODA) request to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. See: https://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/koubo/index.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
FY2025: CLOSED. For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/koubo/index.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: CAO, MOFA

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
JST, Department of International Affairs
SATREPS Group
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/global/english/
TEL: +81-3-5214-8085
E-mail: global@jst.go.jp

JICA/SATREPS: Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (AMED)

International joint research with a vision of future social implementation, in cooperation with Official Development Assistance (ODA), targeting global issues based on the needs of developing countries

RESEARCH FIELD: Infectious diseases

FUNDING CATEGORY: International Collaborative Research Program

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual/Team
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation:Individual/groups of researchers of any nationality affiliated with R&D institutions in Japan (national, public and private universities, national and public R&D institutes, companies, national R&D corporations, etc.) may apply
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION: Depending on the call

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
FY2025 Open Call period: Late August 2024 to late October 2024 (tentative)
Check open calls webpage at: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT, MOFA

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)-JICA/SATREPS

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
[SATREPS Infectious Diseases]
International Strategic Promotion Dept.
Phone: 03-6870-2216
E-mail: amed-satreps@amed.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/20/01/001.html

[ODA requests]
JICA Governance and Peace building Dept.,
STI & DX Office
E-mail: gpgsd@jica.go.jp　

JSPS Invitational Fellowship Long-term [L]

Long-term visit for overseas researchers with excellent record to conduct collaborative research

RESEARCH FIELD: Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences

FUNDING CATEGORY: Invitational Fellowships

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Bottom-up

OPEN POSITION: JSPS International Fellow (Invited Researcher)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Citizens or residents of a partner country (Countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan, incl. Taiwan and Palestine)
• Career Stage: Full-time researcher status (equivalent to professor, associate, or assistant professor in Japan). Post-docs (min. 6 years in) of other status are eligible if they have continuously conducted research

BUDGET AND DURATION:
• Round-trip air ticket
• Monthly allowance (¥387,600)
• Research allowance (up to ¥150,000)
• Overseas travel insurance

Duration: 2 to 10 months

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Application must be submitted via the host institutions to the JSPS Electronic Application System. https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/application/index.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
FY2025: CLOSED. For more info, visit: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/index.html and read the application guidelines at: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/application/guideline.html (page 18 for Long-term [L])

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fellowship official homepage: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/
E-mail: invitation@jsps.go.jp

JSPS Invitational Fellowship Short-term [S]

Short visit for overseas researchers with excellent records for discussions, opinion exchanges, lectures, and other activities

RESEARCH FIELD: Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences

FUNDING CATEGORY: Invitational Fellowships

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Bottom-up

OPEN POSITION: JSPS International Fellow (Invited Researcher)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Citizens or residents of a partner country (countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan, incl. Taiwan and Palestine)
• Career Stage: Full-time researcher status (professor, associate, or assistant professor in Japan). Post-docs (6 years in) of other status are eligible if they have continuously conducted research

BUDGET AND DURATION:
• Round-trip air ticket
• Maintenance Allowance (¥18,000/day)
• Overseas travel insurance
• Research allowance (up to ¥150,000)

Duration: 14 to 60 days

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Application must be submitted via the host institutions to the JSPS Electronic Application System. https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/application/index.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
• FY2025 1st recruitment: CLOSED
• FY2025 2nd recruitment: OPEN. Deadline: April 25, 2025 (by 5 p.m. JST)
For more info, visit: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/index.html and read the application guidelines at: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/application/guideline.html (page 21 for Short-term)

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fellowship official homepage: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/
E-mail: invitation@jsps.go.jp

JSPS Short-term Program [PE]

Short-term fellowship for young researchers under the guidance of a host researcher

RESEARCH FIELD: Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences

FUNDING CATEGORY: Pre/post-doctoral

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Bottom-up

OPEN POSITION: JSPS International Fellow (PhD student/Post-doc researcher)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Citizens or residents of a partner country (US, Canada, EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Taiwan, Palestine)
• Career Stage: PhD students/Post-docs (max 6 years in)

BUDGET AND DURATION:
• Roundtrip air ticket
• Monthly allowance (PhD holders: ¥362,000. Non-PhD holders: ¥200,000)
• Research allowance (up to ¥70,000 x months of tenure)
• Settling-in allowance (¥200,000)* [*Subject to conditions]
• Overseas travel insurance

Duration: 1 to 12 months (full month units)

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Application must be submitted via the host institution to JSPS Tokyo (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-oubei-s/appliguidelines.html) or via an Overseas Nominating Authority. (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-oubei-s/short_list.html).

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
• FY2025 1st recruitment: CLOSED
• FY2025 2nd recruitment: OPEN. Deadline: January 10, 2025 (by 5 p.m. JST)
• FY2025 3rd recruitment: OPEN. Deadline: June 7, 2025 (by 5 p.m. JST)
For more info, visit: https://www.jsps.go.jp/file/storage/j-fellow/j-fellow_14/application_requirements/2025/2025_applicationguideline_e.pdf (page 14)

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) in collaboration with overseas Nominating Authorities

Overseas Nominating Authorities: USA, France, Germany, UK, Sweden, Switzerland

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
[JSPS Tokyo Office]
E-mail: postdoc-short@jsps.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-oubei-s/index.html

[Nominating Authorities in Sweden]
JSPS Stockholm, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA), The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT)

JSPS Standard Program [P]

Longer-term fellowship for postdocs from overseas, under the guidance of a host researcher

RESEARCH FIELD: Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences

FUNDING CATEGORY: Post-doctoral Fellowships

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Bottom-up

OPEN POSITION: JSPS International Fellow (Post-doc researcher)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Citizens or residents of a partner country (US, Canada, EU, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Taiwan, Palestine)
• Career Stage: PhD students/Post-docs (max 6 years in)

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Roundtrip ticket
• Monthly allowance (¥362,000)
• Settling-in allowance (¥200,000)* [*Subject to conditions]
• Overseas travel insurance
• Research allowance (KAKENHI)

Duration:12 to 24 months (full month units)

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Application must be submitted via the host institution to JSPS Tokyo (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-oubei-s/appliguidelines.html) or via an Overseas Nominating Authority. (https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-oubei-s/short_list.html).

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
• FY2025 1st recruitment: CLOSED
• FY2025 2nd recruitment: OPEN. Deadline: April 25, 2025 (by 5 p.m. JST). For more info, visit: https://www.jsps.go.jp/file/storage/j-fellow/j-fellow_14/application_requirements/2025/2025_applicationguideline_e.pdf (page 10)

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) in collaboration with overseas Nominating Authorities. For more info on the overseas Nominating Authorities, visit: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-ippan/long_list.html
[Funding agencies in Sweden]: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA), The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF), Vinnova

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
[JSPS Tokyo Office]
E-mail: postdoc-standard@jsps.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/application.html

JSPS Summer Program

Short, fixed-term fellowship giving an orientation on Japanese culture and research system

RESEARCH FIELD: Humanities, Social and Natural Sciences

FUNDING CATEGORY: Pre/post-doctoral

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Bottom-up

OPEN POSITION: JSPS International Fellow (PhD student/Post-doc researcher)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Citizens or residents of a partner country (US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, and Sweden), or equivalent status if approved by the overseas Nominating Authority
• Career Stage: Pre-doctoral/PhD students/Post-doctoral researchers (max 5 years in)

BUDGET AND DURATION:
• Roundtrip air ticket
• Maintenance allowance (¥534,000)
• Research allowance (up to ¥158,500)
• Overseas travel insurance

Duration: 2 months (June to August)

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Applications must be submitted via an overseas Nominating Authority (NA). Procedures may vary by NA and close around January of the same year

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): OPEN
[Applicants from Sweden] For more info, visit STINT at: https://www.stint.se/en/program/external-programmes/jsps-summer-program/ Deadline: 3 January 2025

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) in collaboration with SOKENDAI and overseas Nominating Authorities

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
[JSPS Tokyo Office]
E-mail: summer@jsps.go.jp
Fellowship official homepage: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-summer/
Overseas Nominating Authorities: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-oubei-s/short_list.html

JST-Mirai

High-risk, high-reward, translational research aiming to develop proof-of-concept (POC)

Three types of programs are offered: Small-start; Large-scale; Feasibility study

RESEARCH FIELD: Science & Technology. “Mission areas” set by MEXT. For more details, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/mirai/jp/uploads/application-guideline-r04-c6-en.pdf

FUNDING CATEGORY: N/A

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Project Leader (PL)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Project Leaders may be of any nationality and affiliated with any R&D institution in Japan or overseas at the time of application, however, if selected they must be affiliated in Japan
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Budget varies by each mission area.
For more details, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/mirai/jp/uploads/application-guideline-r04-c6-en.pdf

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
[Small-start] Up to 5 years
[Large-scale] Up to 10 years
[Feasibility study] 2.5-4.5 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Recruitment FY2022: March 30, 2022 to May 25, 2022 (12 pm JST). Applications must be submitted via e-Rad. For more info on e-Rad visit https://www.e-rad.go.jp/en/researcher/index.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): CLOSED
For more info and open calls, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/mirai/en/open-call/research/index.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

Candidate’s Country of Origin/Affiliation: n/a

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/mirai/en/about/index.html
Email: kaikaku_miraijst.go.jp

LEAP: Leading Advanced Projects for medical innovation (incubation-type)

Incubator projects focused on commercialising promising outcomes from CREST and PRIME that are too risky for private sector development

RESEARCH FIELD: Medical/Healthcare

FUNDING CATEGORY: Innovation and Clinical Research Center Project

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual/Team. Partner countries not specified. Currently, 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY

• Country of Affiliation: Individual/groups of researchers of any nationality affiliated with R&D institutions in Japan (national, public and private universities, national and public R&D institutes, companies, national R&D corporations, etc.) may apply.
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Research expenses: <¥300 million per year
Research period: within 5 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
FY2024: no open calls
FY2023 recruitment: April 11 - May 30, 2023 (by 12 pm JST)

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
AMED
Innovative Advanced R&D Division,
Seeds Development and Research Infrastructure dept.
Phone: 03-6870-2224
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/16/02/001_leap.html

PRESTO: Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology

Basic research aiming at socio-economic transformation. JST-appointed Research Supervisors select and oversee young researchers (Principal Investigators). Interdisciplinary and international networks are encouraged

RESEARCH FIELD: Science & Technology
FY2024: 15 Research Areas (RA)
For FY2024 RAs, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian/top/ryoiki.html (Japanese only)
For all RAs (incl. past calls), visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/presto/en/research_area/index.html (English)

FUNDING CATEGORY: Strategic Basic Research Programs (SBRP)

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY

• Country of Affiliation: PRESTO Principal Investigator (PI) may be of any nationality but must be affiliated with a research institute in Japan and able to handle administrative/immigration tasks in Japanese
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Research expenses: ¥30-40 million per project
Research period: max 3 years and 6 months

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Research Supervisors (RS) call for research proposals in a specific Research Areas. 30-40 projects are called in each area. Recruitment FY2024: From April 9 to May 28, 2024 (12 pm JST)

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025):
FY2024: CLOSED (May 28, 2024, 12 pm JST)
FY2025: N/A
For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian-en.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dept. of Strategic Research Promotion, JST
+81 3-3512-3526
Homepage: https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/presto/

Program for Promoting Innovative Clean Energy Technologies Through International Collaboration (NEDO)

International joint R&D between Japan and other countries (G20 members and others) aiming to create new and innovative clean energy technologies

RESEARCH FIELD: Clean Energy Technology

FUNDING CATEGORY: “International Expansion Support” scheme

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Joint
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: N/A

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY: Applicants should have expertise in humanitarian/social sciences or natural sciences. Multiple PMs may be recruited. Each applicant must propose a project to be conducted within a research group comprising multiple research institutes and at least one private company. The applicant’s affiliated institute will serve as the 'Representative Organisation'

• Country of Affiliation: Research institutes and universities in Japan or overseas (private companies may also participate). See webpage for details: https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/activities/activities_ZZJP_100173.html
• Career Stage: N/A

BUDGET AND DURATION: FY2020 to FY2025, budget: ¥952 million

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Contact NEDO

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: CAO, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
NEDO
Support for international expansion
Project code: P20005
International Projects Department
TEL: +81-44-520-5190
Homepage: https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/activities/activities_ZZJP_100173.html

Sakura Science Exchange Program

Talented young researchers from overseas can visit Japan for a short period of time. Plans are prepared jointly by the Japanese host and overseas sending organization and publicly offered. Goal: supporting and strengthening international mobility, relationships, and S&T diplomacy

Two types of programs are offered:

1. Open Application (7 days to 3 weeks)
2. JST Direct Invitation (7 days). Not open to the public

RESEARCH FIELD: Science and Technology

FUNDING CATEGORY: Invitational program

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: N/A

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Sending country: all countries and regions. Categories: Course A, B, C, and Course D (India and African countries). Sending Organizations: an organization that dispatches invitees and plans and implements exchange programs in cooperation with the host organization
• Career Stage: Anyone engaged in work related to science and technology at public institutions, below 40 years old. High school students (not for Course D), technical college students, university and graduate students, post-docs, faculty members, etc. For courses A, B, and C, first stay in Japan for the invitee

BUDGET AND DURATION:
JST will covered the following expenses via the host organization: airfare; transportation, accommodation, and meals in Japan (not if the host is a private enterprise); admission to science museums and cultural facilities; necessary expenses

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Individual applications not accepted
[Open application]: overseas and Japanese organizations jointly plan the program. The Japanese organization sends applications to JST which opens the calls to the public. 2024 call: https://ssp.jst.go.jp/en/program/
Applications can only be submitted by the host organization. Applicants must independently find a host organization

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): FY2024 CLOSED. For more info, visit: https://ssp.jst.go.jp/en/program/

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sakura Science Exchange Program, JST
E-mail address: ssp@jst.go.jp
Homepage: https://ssp.jst.go.jp/en/

SCARDA: Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response

Cooperative research (academia/industry/clinical) promoting new modalities and centres for vaccine R&D. Researchers work under a Program Supervisor based at SCARDA and Program Officers based at R&D institutions in Japan

Includes two Programs:
(1) New generation vaccine including new modality application
(2) Japan Initiative for World-leading Vaccine Research and Development Centers

RESEARCH FIELD: Vaccine technology

FUNDING CATEGORY: Vaccine and New Modality R&D Business

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: : Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Researcher

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Researchers of any nationality may apply, however they must be affiliated with a research institute in Japan (universities, public research institutes, private companies, etc.). Currently, 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress
• Career Stage: N/A

BUDGET AND DURATION:
[FY2024]: no open calls

[Ongoing Calls (FY2022)]:

1. Development of vaccines for infectious diseases against priority infectious diseases
   Period: Minimum required (until FY2026). Budget: Max. approx. ¥3 billion for the entire duration
2. Development of vaccines against infectious diseases using new modalities
   Duration: Minimum required (up to FY2026). Budget: Max. approx. ¥1 billion for the entire duration

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: No calls currently open

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Division for Promotion of Vaccine R&D, Dept. of Advanced Vaccine R&D, AMED
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/index09.html
Programme 1: scarda-vf@amed.go.jp
Programme 2: scarda-rdc@amed.go.jp

SICORP-Belmont Forum

International group of funding agencies and international science councils supporting global environmental change research with Collaborative Research Actions (CRAs) in various fields

RESEARCH FIELD: Environmental change research, sustainability
Active/past projects: https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/program_e/multilateral_e/belmont-forum.html

FUNDING CATEGORY: Multilateral Collaboration

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Reseracher

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Member countries: Americas, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Côte d’Ivoire, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA. See CRA call text at https://belmontforum.org/cras#open
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
The support period and amount vary depending on the goals of each CRA. Budget (in Japan): ¥7-50 million for 1 to 5 years
[2024 call “Tropical Forests”]: Up to ¥8 million per year (incl. 30% indirect costs) for 3 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Each proposal must include natural, social scientists, and stakeholders from at least 3 different countries listed in the CRA call text. requirements vary from call-to-call. See: https://belmontforum.org/cras#open
Researchers from Japan must submit their application to the BFGO system as well as register a copy on e-Rad

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): OPEN (FY2024). For more info, visit: https://belmontforum.org/cras#open

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dept. of Int.l Affairs, Belmont Forum Coordination Group
Tel.: +81-3-5214-7375
Email: belmont@jst.go.jp
Homepage (JST): https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/program_e/multilateral_e/belmont-forum.html
Homepage (Belmont Forum): https://belmontforum.org
[Sweden]
• Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences, and Spatial Planning (FORMAS): www.formas.se/en/
• Swedish Research Council (VR): https://www.vr.se/english.html

SICORP: Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (AMED)

Large-scale international collaborative research based on equal partnerships in partner countries, regions, and fields designated by MEXT. The aim is to achieve results that will help resolve common international issues that Japan cannot solve alone

RESEARCH FIELD:
Open collaborations: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/20/01/002.html
[SICORP Nordic]: Area: “Healthy longevity”. Period: 2021-2024
Funding agencies: NordForsk; Academy of Finland; Research Council of Norway; Swedish Research Council (SRC)

FUNDING CATEGORY: International Collaborative Research Program - Project for Seeds Development and Research Base

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team/joint. Partner countries: UK, Lithuania, Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway), Australia, Singapore
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Principal investigator (PI)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation:Individual/groups of researchers of any nationality affiliated with R&D institutions in Japan (national, public and private universities, national and public R&D institutes, companies, national R&D corporations, etc.) may apply
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
¥5-30 million per year, for 3 years

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: See Open calls at: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/20/01/002.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
SICORP
Section, International Business Division,
International Strategy Promotion Department
TEL: 03-6870-2216
E-mail: sicorp@amed.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/20/01/002.html

SICORP: Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (JST-AMED)

Bilateral and multilateral joint programs in coordination with overseas funding agencies

RESEARCH FIELD: Biotechnology; AI and Information; Materials; Semiconductors; Quantum

FUNDING CATEGORY: Bilateral Collaboration program

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Japan-based researchers: Any independent researcher, of any nationality, personally affiliated with and actively conducting research at a domestic Japanese research institution. Partner researchers overseas must already be receiving currently applying for funding from partner funding agency
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION: ¥6-100 million per project per year for 3-5 years
Note: these are determined flexibly through coordination with the counterpart funding agency (FA). JST and the partner FA fund researchers equivalently. JST funds Japan-based researchers and the counterpart FA funds the overseas collaborators

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Deadlines depend on the call. Japan-based applicants must register on e-Rad. For details, see: https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/index.html

[Bilateral Program with Sweden]
For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/program_e/sicorp_e/sweden.html

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): CLOSED

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: MEXT

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in collaboration with Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

Candidate’s Country of Origin/Affiliation:
Leading countries in the field (as strategically prioritized by MEXT)
[Sweden - ongoing project] “Innovative Solutions, Community Design and Services for Elderly People”. Partner funding agencies: VINNOVA, SSF, SRC

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Department of International Affairs
7, Gobancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0076 Japan
Tel. +81-3-5214-7375
E-mail: intl@jst.go.jp
[General info] https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/sicorp/index.html 
[Bilateral Programs] https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/index.html
[Sweden] https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/program_e/sicorp_e/sweden.html
Email: jointsw@jst.go.jp

The Moonshot Program

High-risk high-reward projects based on revolutionary concepts (moonshots) that are not simply the extension of existing technologies. This program brings together researchers from all over the world to target societal issues

RESEARCH FIELD: General theme: “Human Well-being”. Subthemes: society, environment, and economics. Divided into 10 distinct “MS Goals” which are managed by different funding agencies (JST, AMED, NEDO, NARO) and have a 2050 temporal target. Within each MS Goal, funding agencies appoint a Program Director (PD) and multiple Project Managers (PM). Progress is based on stage-gates, encouraging the utilization of R&D results. For the full list of MS Goals see: https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/moonshot/top.html

FUNDING CATEGORY: N/A

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Project Managers (PM), publicly solicited. Domestic and foreign researchers are invited to work as PMs under the direction of the PD via open calls

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Researchers of any nationality affiliated with a research institution in Japan.

[Program Director (PD)] must be based in Japan after being appointed. May be reappointed

[Project Managers (PM)] Foreign researchers belonging to an overseas organization may apply in 3 ways:

1. 1. As a PM, receiving financial support from the MS Program (based in Japan)
   2. As a principal investigator under the supervision of a PM, funded by the MS Program
   3. Cooperation without financial support from the MS program (no official application needed. The participation depends on the decision of PM and PD)

For (2) and (3), a base in Japan is not required. PMs are allowed to concurrently engage in other work (conditions set by the Funding Agency).

• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
Budget is project-specific. NEDO FY2020 budget: ¥49.764 billion (total period). AMED: (provisional) Approx. ¥2 billion per project for 5 years (indirect costs excluded). Duration: 5 years, extendable up to 10 years from the time of adoption of the PM (up to FY2031)NEDO: FY2020

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
Varies depending on the funding agency, MS Goal, and PM/PD. Application submission period is generally from March to May/June every year. Applications must be submitted via e-Rad. For more info and details, check each funding agency's website

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): FY2024 CLOSED. For more info, visit: https://www.jst.go.jp/moonshot/en/application/index.html
https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/18/03/001.html
FY2025: N/A

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: CAO, MEXT, MHLW, MAFF, METI

FUNDING AGENCY:
• Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
• Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
• New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
• Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (BRAIN)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
[JST, Moonshot R&D Division]
Phone: 03-5214-8419
E-mail: moonshot-info@st.go.jp
Homepage (JST): https://www.jst.go.jp/moonshot/en/index.html
Homepage (CAO): https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/moonshot/top.html

[AMED]
E-mail: moonshot@amed.go.jp
https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/18/03/001.html

[NARO/BRAIN]
Email: brain-jimu@ml.affrc.go.jp
Phone: +81-44-276-8279
https://www.naro.go.jp/laboratory/brain/english/index.html

[NEDO]
E-mail: moonshot-office@nedo.go.jp
https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/news/ZZCA_100007.html

The Moonshot Program Goal 4 (NEDO)

High-risk high-reward reserach aiming to create disruptive innovations (not simply the extension of existing technologies), i.e. moonshots. MS Goal 4: “By 2050, achieve sustainable resource circulation for global environmental regeneration”

RESEARCH FIELD: Industrial Technology (Global Environmental Regeneration)
Open Projects (by 2030):
[Cool Earth] Target: global warming
(1) Development of technologies to recover greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) and convert them into valuable materials
[Clean Earth] Target: environmental pollution
(2) Development of technologies to recover nitrogen compounds and convert them into harmless or useful materials
(3) Development of marine biodegradable plastics which can control the timing and speed of their degradability

For the full list of projects, visit: https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/news/ZZCA_100007.html

FUNDING CATEGORY: Vaccine and New Modality R&D Business

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Individual
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Project Manager (PM). Publicly solicited under Program Director Dr. YAMAJI Kenji (Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, RITE)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Project Manager (PM) may be of any nationality and affiliated with a research organization (companies, national R&D organizations, universities, or other research institutions) in Japan or overseas at the time of application. Upon selection, the PM must be based in Japan and affiliated with a representative organization in Japan
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION: ¥49.764 billion (entire period), from FY2020 (max. duration 10 years)

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: Contact NEDO

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: CAO, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
NEDO Moonshot Program
Frontier Department, NEDO
E-mail: moonshot-office@nedo.go.jp
Aspiring candidates may contact the PM directly for more information or to discuss collaboration opportunities

The Moonshot Program Goal 5 (NARO/BRAIN)

High-risk, high-reward reserach aiming to create disruptive innovations (not simply the extension of existing technologies), i.e. moonshots. MS Goal 5: “Creation of the industry that enables sustainable global food supply by exploiting unused biological resources by 2050”

RESEARCH FIELD: Food production and consumption
[FY2023 call]
Target: “development of the solutions for eliminating food loss/waste and for achieving both healthy life and sustainable food consumption by 2050”

FUNDING CATEGORY: The Moonshot Program

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Project Manager, PM (publicly solicited under Program Director: Dr. Kazuhiro Chiba, President of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY: Applicants should have expertise in humanitarian/social sciences or natural sciences. Multiple PMs may be recruited. Each applicant must propose a project to be conducted within a research group comprising multiple research institutes and at least one private company. The applicant’s affiliated institute will serve as the 'Representative Organisation'

• Country of Affiliation: Applicants of any nationality are eligible but must be based in Japan upon appointment as Project Manager (PM)
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION:
[Open call 2023]
Period: from 2023 to 2024 (extendable to FY2029). Period may be accelerated, decelerated or terminated based on the annual evaluation
Budget: total ¥650 million over two fiscal years (FY2023-24)

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS: [FY2024 Call] recruitment: from March 3, 2023, to May 9, 2023 (by 12 am JST). Applications must be submitted via e-Rad

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): Last call: FY2023. For more info, visit: https://www.naro.go.jp/laboratory/brain/english/moon_shot/public_call/pm2023.html 

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: CAO, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)/Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution (BRAIN)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
[NARO/BRAIN]
Homepage: https://www.naro.go.jp/laboratory/brain/english/moon_shot/index.html
Open calls: https://www.naro.go.jp/laboratory/brain/english/moon_shot/public_call/pm2023.html

[Inquiries on the call]
MS Team, Strategic Research Development Division
E-mail: seiken-moonshot@ml.affrc.go.jp

[Inquiries on the contract procedure]
Research Management Division
E-mail: brain-jimu@ml.affrc.go.jp

The Moonshot Program Goal 7 (AMED)

MS Goal 7: “By 2040, to establish a sustainable healthcare and nursing care system that prevents and overcomes major diseases and allows people to enjoy life without health concerns up to the age of 100.” Project Director: Prof. HIRANO Toshio

RESEARCH FIELD:
Health and Medical Fields. Development phase: Basic, Applied, Non-clinical research, Pre-clinical research, Clinical trial, Clinical trial

FUNDING CATEGORY: N/A

PROJECT TYPE

• Team/Individual/Joint: Team. Partner countries not specified. Currently 8 joint programs with partners from 28 countries are in progress
• Bottom-up/Top-down: Top-down

OPEN POSITION: Project Managers (PM), publicly solicited

CANDIDATE'S ELIGIBLITY:

• Country of Affiliation: Program Director (PD) and Project Managers (PM) may be of any nationality, however they must be based in Japan after being appointed. PMs are allowed to concurrently engage in other work (effort rate set by the funding agency)
• Career Stage: Post-doctoral

BUDGET AND DURATION: Budget (per Project Manager): depends on the project. Duration: 5 years in principle (up to FY2030) from the start of the research. Program Director (PD) and PM may be reappointed for up to 10 years from the start of the research project

APPLICATION PERIOD AND DETAILS:
FY2024: No plans for open recruitment. (Last open call was in 2022)

CALL STATUS (FY2024/2025): N/A. For more info, visit: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html

PUBLIC AUTHORITY: Prime Minister, MEXT, MHLW, METI

FUNDING AGENCY: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)

HOMEPAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION:
Division of Moonshot R&D Program
E-mail: moonshot@amed.go.jp
Homepage: https://www.amed.go.jp/en/program/list/18/03/001.html