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JSPS Core-to-Core Program -Integrated Action Initiatives-
FY2011 Call for Proposals
JSPS receives proposals for the JSPS Core-to-Core Program from Japanese universities and research institutions. Overseas counterpart research institutions interested in this program are advised to prepare research plan with a Japanese counterpart institution, which may apply to JSPS for a grant.
1.Program Outline
This program works to create world-class research hubs and foster young researchers through networking to advance multilateral collaboration in cutting-edge fields of science among the most advanced research institutions in Japan and the following countries: The US, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Core institutions in Japan and in counterpart countries conduct large-scale collaborations based on a principle equal partnership. They take the form of joint research projects, seminars and other scientific meetings, and researcher exchanges to foster young researchers. These three components of the program are organized and carried out both systematically and strategically.
The program is implemented in two types: The first is called “Integrated Action Initiatives,” and the second “Strategic Research Networks.” Based on its performance and results, a project conducted under the first type may be elevated to the second “Strategic Research Networks.”
This call is for proposals for “Integrated Action Initiatives” projects.
2.Targeted Research Fields
Research fields considered in both Japan and the counterpart countries to be scientifically cutting-edge within the respective research area.
3.Eligible Countries
- The following 15 countries are eligible to participate in this program:
The US, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand
* At least two of the listed countries are to participate in each project.
- In addition, one unlisted country may participate in each project.
4.Applicant Eligibility
- Japanese universities and research institutions or a graduate department within them are eligible to become a Japanese core institution. To qualify, they must possess sufficient research funds, research facilities and human resources, and be capable of taking the initiative in implementing the overall research project.
- A full-time researcher employed at the Japanese core institution who is appointed as a co-chair of the project.
5.Project Period
From April 2011 through March 2013(under the FY2011 call)
6.Project Funding
- JSPS provides Japanese core institutions with the following funding:
Up to ¥20 million per fiscal year
- JSPS will cover the following major expenses of the Japanese core institutions.
- International travel expenses
- Domestic travel expenses
- Costs of expendable supplies
- Conference expenses
- Honorariums
7.Number of Projects Slated to Start in FY2011
About 2-3 projects
8.JSPS’s Application Procedure
- JSPS receives applications via its on-line application system. For details, please refer to http://www-shinsei.jsps.go.jp/topkokusai/top_kokusai.html (Posted only in Japanese.)
- Deadline: 15 October, 2010
* Please note that applicants' affiliated institutions may set earlier deadlines.
9.Other Application Instructions
- JSPS supports multilateral collaboration between Japan and eligible countries.
- Changes of Core Institutions in either Japan or the counterpart countries is not allowed.
- When applying for support under ”Strategic Research Networks” after the 2-year implementation of a “Integrated Action Initiatives” project, the counterpart core institutions must be able to secure their own project funding in an amount equivalent to JSPS’s grant.
- Researchers eligible to receive JSPS financial support under this program are as follows:
- Researchers employed at a university or research institute in Japan
- Postdoctoral researchers at universities or research institutes in Japan
- Researchers enrolled in a postgraduate course, either in a master’s or a doctoral course in Japan
- For projects elevated to the “Strategic Research Networks” level, their total duration will be 5 years.
- The Japanese co-chair is not allowed to hold a collateral position as a coordinator, research representative, or chief seminar organizer under following JSPS programs: Asian CORE Program, AA Science Platform Program, A3 Foresight Program, International Training Program (ITP), Japanese-German Graduate Externship, Institutional Program for Young Researcher Overseas Visits,Young Researcher Overseas Visits Program for Vitalizing Brain Circulation,JSPS-NSF International Collaborations in Chemistry (ICC), joint research or seminars under JSPS’s bilateral programs, Japan-France Integrated Action Initiatives(SAKURA), U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program, or China-Japan Medical Research Exchange Program.
- Universities/research institutions applying to be Japanese core institutions that are being supported(or are applying for support) under the below-listed programs are required to describe the objectives and/or results of these research activities and their relevance to the subject Core-to-Core project.
World Premier International Research Center Initiative, Global COE Program, Support Program for Improving Graduate School Education, Program for Enhancing Systematic Education in Graduate Schools, Program for Promoting High-Quality University Education, Program for Promoting University Education "Theme A", Global 30, JSPS Core-to-Core Program, Asian CORE Program, AA Science Platform Program, A3 Foresight Program, International Training Program (ITP), Japanese-German Graduate Externship, Institutional Program for Young Researcher Overseas Visits, or Young Researcher Overseas Visits Program for Vitalizing Brain Circulation
- Researchers who are now or have been supported under any of JSPS's international programs in the past 5 years are required to describe the objectives and/or results of that research activity and its relevance to the subject Core-to-Core project.
10.Selection Criteria in JSPS Reviews
Applications are screened from the following perspectives.
- Scientific/academic merit
- Degree to which the proposed project is recognized as being leading-edge and unique in the subject research field
- Whether there is a clear need and value to implementing the project with the proposed counterpart institutions
- Degree to which the collaboration between the core institutions in Japan and the counterpart countries can be expected to yield results of sufficiently high academic value to contribute to the establishment of a world-class research hub
- Degree to which the project will build upon and expand the core institutions’ past international research activities and accomplishments
- Young researcher cultivation
- Whether the project includes an educational networking system between the core institutions in Japan and the counterpart countries, and a program for honing the skills and expertise of young researchers
- Implementing framework on Japan Side
- On the Japan side, plans to build a world-class research hub should be strategically placed within the core institution’s overall education and research program.
- Japanese core institutions should have in place on an institutional level a system for ensuring the ongoing implementation of the proposed project. They should also have an effective scheme for mobilizing cooperation from researchers of other institutions in Japan.
- The project should be capable of enlisting the participation of an adequate number of researchers in Japan who are qualified to build a world-class research hub.
- The project must be capable of continuing operation as a world-class research hub after funding under this program has ended.
- Network building with counterpart core institutions
- The way in which Japanese and counterpart core institutions are matched up under the project should hold good promise for sustained research collaboration.
- A clear-cut framework for implementing the project, such a signed a cooperative agreement, should be established between the core institutions.
- The project should have a clear vision of how it will go about building a world-class research hub, and be expected to contribute to the continuous development of collaboration between the core institutions in the future.
- The counterpart core institutions must, on an institutional level, have an adequate number of researchers and one coordinator in place to ensure the ongoing implementation of the proposed project.
- Appropriateness of research plan
- The plan is to be sufficiently concrete to achieve the project objectives and its contents must be highly attainable.
- Research under the project should mainly be conducted with counterpart institutions in eligible countries.
- The fiscal and operational scope of the project should be appropriate, not exceeding that required to carry out the project plan.
11.Selection Procedure
JSPS’s International Program Committee administers a document and panel review of applications. The results are notified to the Japanese core institutions in late February 2011.
12.Post-selection funding request to JSPS
Upon selection, Japanese core institutions must submit an implementation plan and funding request to JSPS using the prescribed form.
13.Obligation of Japanese Core Institutions
- Core institutions are to establish a homepage and proactively post on it information about the project both during and after the funding period. Though JSPS does not participate in negotiations over rights to results yielded through the project’s implementation, the core institutions are to credit JSPS for its support when announcing such results.
- JSPS’s International Program Committee will conduct assessments of projects at their completion. Core institutions are to provide JSPS with all the information requested to conduct these assessments.
14.Others
- JSPS does not bear responsibility for any accident, sickness or other such incident that may occur over the period of the project’s implementation.
- Information about the project is strictly protected in accordance with a series of Japan Law and JSPS Regulations on personal information protection. However, information such as the names of the core institutions, the names of the co-chairs and other participants, the project’s annual implementation plans and annual reports, and the results of project assessments may be posted on JSPS’s homepage and provided to related institutions.
- If over the course of the project’s implementation improper conduct (plagiarism, fabrication or falsification), misuse of funds, or abuse of authority(sexual harassment or other improper behavior) should be found to occur, the core institution may be required to return either part or all of the already-disbursed project funding to JSPS, and appropriate penalties may be imposed.
- JSPS does not support research with military objectives.
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