2024 ASPIRE-NSF Global Centers Joint call for proposals on Bioeconomy

March 2024

This call is conducted in collaboration with Global Centers (GC), a program led by the Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE) of the National Science Foundation (NSF). GC promotes international research collaboration to solve global-scale problems, and supports cutting-edge bilateral and multilateral projects with a view toward practical results application.

JST will support Japan based researchers within the framework of ASPIRE. This description is only applicable for Japan based researchers.

Details of the framework, theme, and application requirements are described in the NSF Guidelines, "Global Centers (GC) Use-Inspired Research Addressing Global Challenges through the Bioeconomy" as well as in the Japanese Guidelines for Solicitation. Please be sure to check not only the Japanese call for proposals but also the NSF call for proposals.

To apply, you and your counterpart researcher must jointly prepare the application designated by JST and NSF, and submit to the funding agency of your respective countries.

Link to Japanese page Link to NSF Program Solicitation

Program title and Research Themes

Use-Inspired Research Addressing Global Challenges through the Bioeconomy

Subtopic 1: Leveraging Biodiversity Across the Tree of Life to Power the Bioeconomy.

Subtopic 2: Biofoundries, using Design-Build-Test-Learn process in biology.

Crosscutting Theme A: Public engagement and co-generation of research activities to strengthen the global science and technology enterprise.

Crosscutting Theme B: Workforce Development and Education.

Partner countries: Canada, Finland, Japan, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom and the United States

Counterpart international funding organizations: Canada (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)); Finland (Research Council of Finland (RCF), Business Finland (BF)); Japan (Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)); Republic of Korea (Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (MSIT), National Research Foundation (NRF)); United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Support Scale

JST is allocating up to JPY 500 million (including 30% overhead expenses) over five years per project to support activities of eligible researchers.

The maximum number of projects that can be supported is 3.

Timeline

The schedule for the submission and review of research proposals for this joint call is as indicated in the table below. Interviews will be held for those applicants who pass the document review. Applicants who proceed to the interview stage will be notified of the date and time on an individual basis.

Please note that the schedule (except the application deadline) is subject to change.

Application via the e-Rad system deadline	June 11, 2024(17:00 Japan Time)
Interviews for Japan based Principal Investigators who pass the document review	July 24 and 25, 2024
Notification of results	September 2024
Start of research	November 2024

Proposal Submission

Proposals should be jointly drafted by the counterpart and Japan side team and must comply with the proposal preparation guidelines outlined in JST's Call Text and NSF's Program Solicitation.

Documents to be submitted by the Japan side team to JST include the Application Form “ASPIRE_GlobalCenters_form.docx” designated by JST, as well as the following documents designated by NSF.

1: Project Summary
2: Project Description
3: Biographical Sketch
4: Funded Foreign Collaborator, Organization, and Funding Information from the Supplementary Documentation

The application to JST must be submitted via e-Rad, the Cross Ministerial R&D Management System.

To submit the proposal to NSF, the US side team should follow NSF’s Program Solicitation guidelines. It is not necessary to submit JST’s Application Form to NSF.

Application Form

Call Text for Japan side team	PDF
Application Form for Japan side team	Word
Application Guidelines「公募要領別紙」(In Japanese)	PDF
e-Rad Manual	PDF

Notes

The Japan based PI must have completed the designated online research ethics course prior to application. Please refer to the Application Guidelines for details on enrollment in the research ethics education program. Failure to complete the program will result in the proposal being rejected as incomplete.
When research institutions are national or municipal organizations, such institutions concluding research contracts are obliged to implement necessary budgetary measures before entering research contracts for which they are responsible. Please confirm with your institution and contact JST before submitting.

Prior Notice (recommended)

In order for us to predict the total number of applications, we would appreciate applicants submitting prior information on their upcoming proposals through the following form by May 10, 2024.
In the submission form please enter the Japan based PI’s name, affiliation, position, e-mail address, research field, and tentative proposal title.

Inquiries for Japan based Applicants

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Department of International Affairs

ASPIRE Coordination Group

Emails: aspire-gc(at)jst.go.jp (replace (at) with @)