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| Toward the Realization of a Nation built
on the Creativity of Science and Technology |
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Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
made a fresh start on October 1, 2003 as the core organization
for implementing the Science and Technology Basic Plan adopted
by the Japanese Government.
JST conducts a broad range of activities in line with the
objectives of the Science and Technology Basic Plan, such
as the creation of advanced technology, the promotion of new
business using advanced technology, the dissemination of scientific
and technological information, researchers' exchange and research
support, and the promotion of public understanding of science
and technology. JST aims at making substantial contribution
to the overall advancement of science and technology in Japan
and to the realization of a nation built on the creativity
of science and technology. |
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Research Contributing to the Creation of
Advanced Technology
Strategic Basic Research Programs (ICORP TYPE) / International
Cooperative Research Project (ICORP) |
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ICORP had been inaugurated in 1989 to redress
the imbalance of basic research promotion level and the imbalance
of researchers' exchange between Japan and foreign countries
(the United States of America, in particular) prevalent around
that year. To meet the growing demand of a new era for the
strategic promotion of basic research that was specified in
the Second Science and Technology Basic Plan and designated
by the Comprehensive Science and Technology Council (the advisory
body to the government), ICORP was dissolved for the sake
of evolution and made a fresh start in 2002 as the Strategic Basic Research Programs (ICORP TYPE) to support basic
research toward accomplishment of the national strategic goals.
In the ICORP program, 29 projects were launched with overseas
research institutes (in total 14 countries) and 27projects
were completed. 2 projects are being carried out. |
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| To Create the New Trend Science and Technology
in the World |
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In ICORP, JST selects a Japanese researcher
who produced excellent research results in his or her past
career as a research director to lead the project and gives
the research director extensive discretionary powers in terms
of project management and personnel appointment. Joint research
in ICORP is to be advanced by making best use of the respective
research strength of Japanese research team and of the foreign
counterpart research team in a complementary manner.
The exchange of research and researchers is to be actively
promoted through the establishment of friendly international
cooperative relationship at the institution level.
The findings and knowledge acquired from the cooperative research
are to be disseminated widely to the world so that the research
can be acknowledged as one of the most advanced research for
creating the new trend of science and technology in the world. |
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| The Gist of ICORP |
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Research Period |
5 years |
Fund |
| i) |
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Research expenses for respective research of
Japan and a foreign country should be secured
independently from each other. |
| ii) |
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Budgetary scale for Japanese research is 400～800
million yen per project for the entire period
(inclusive of personnel expenses,administration
fees,rental fees of laboratory,etc.). |
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Researchers |
Both research directors in Japan and in a foreign
country play leading roles in carrying out the project.
Research teams are formed in both countries consisting
of researchers from industry, academia and government.
| i) |
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Research Directors:One from each country |
| ii) |
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Researchers:10～20 in total as a project (both
countries' teams inclusive) |
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Research Sites |
Universities, research parks and rented space from
private research institutes. |
Research Results |
| i) |
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The research results are in principle made public. |
| ii) |
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The Intellectual Property Rights jointly acquired
are in principle shared in accordance with the
contribution to the invention of each party. |
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Strategic Sectors |
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology selects strategic sectors that have strong
social impacts based on four prioritized research areas
specified in the Second Science and Technology Basic
Plan (Telecommunication/IT, Environment/Energy, Biotechnology,
and Nanotechnology/Materials). |
Research Areas |
JST selects research areas (research projects) on
the basis of the strategic sectors. |
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| Set-up of International Cooperative Research
Project |
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| Set-Up of ICORP (Japanese side) |
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 JST
(Headquarters)
JST supports the overall management of ICORP projects. JST
selects research areas (research projects) and research directors,
and arranges the signing of the research agreement between
JST and overseas research institutes. In addition, JST performs
various supports for ICORP projects, such as preparation and
allocation of necessary budget for the execution of each project,coordination
between ICORP projects, arrangement of midterm and post evaluations
of a project, and patent applications of research results. |
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Research
Director
A research director supervises the entire operation of a project.
The research director is responsible for compiling his/her
five-year research plan and supervising the progress of the
research as well as for selecting adequate research members
and allocating the research expenses. |
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Researchers
On the basis of the research plan drawn up by the research
director, researchers of different disciplinary areas and
various home organizations participate in the project not
only from Japan but also from abroad.
In the interdisciplinary environment where diverse ideas and
multiple cultures can interact, researchers are expected to
refine their research skills and to be brought up to internationally
active researchers. |
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Administrative
Manager
An administrative manager supports the research director by
performing accounting work necessary for the operation of
the project and by serving as a liaison among JST, the research
director, and researchers for harmonious communication and
coordination. A project office is established for each project
where the administrative manager and clerical staff work on
the full-time basis. They serve as the contact point for outside
organizations and researchers seeking access to the project. |
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| * |
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In the case of JST's direct operation (If a project
is operated by any other research institution on behalf
of JST, there is no project office or administrative
manager.) |
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