World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Program Overview
An intensifying global demand for talented researchers is accelerating the need to circulate good brains among the world. This trend has prompted Japan to establish new research centers that attract top-notch researchers from around the world so as to be a hub within global brain circulation.
WPI provides concentrated support for projects to establish and operate research centers that have at their core a group of very high-level investigators. These centers are to create a research environment of a sufficiently high standard to give them a highly visible presence within the global scientific community―that is, to create a vibrant environment that will be of strong incentive to frontline researchers around the world to want to come and work at these centers.
In December 2020, new missions were formulated with the addition of “Values for the Future,” and the enhancement of the four conventional missions: Science, Fusion, Globalization, and Reform.
Centers Currently Receiving Funding
| Item | Overview |
|---|---|
| Funding Period | 10 years (up to 15 years for centers selected in or before FY2012) |
| Project Funding | About JPY 700 million per fiscal year for each center (up to JPY 1.4 billion per year for centers selected in FY2007 and FY2010) (Multiple Host WPI, launched in FY 2023, is allocated JPY 1 billion per year) |
| Researchers and other center staff* | At least 70-100 staff members including at least 7-10 of the world’s top principal investigators PI: full professors, associate professors, or others of comparable standing (In case of Multiple Host WPI, at least 150 staff members including at least 10-15 PIs) At least 30% of the researchers should be from overseas PI: at least 20% of them should be foreign researchers invited from other countries |
| Follow-up | Each year, a thorough follow-up review is conducted of the centers. These reviews are conducted by the Program Committee, comprising Nobel laureates and top-level researchers and by program directors and program officers. |
*Total number of center staff including young postdoctoral researchers, research support staffs, and administrative employees
WPI Academy
| Item | Overview |
|---|---|
| Members | WPI Centers certified as “world premier” status having achieved the WPI missions |
| Follow-up | A thorough follow-up review of the academy centers is conducted by the Program Committee, academy director and academy officers. |
Since 2007, 18 WPI centers, hosted by universities and research institutions, have been established.
Besides advancing research in each of their fields, WPI centers also contribute to pioneering various new interdisciplinary domains.
Besides advancing research in each of their fields, WPI centers also contribute to pioneering various new interdisciplinary domains.