What are "Strategic Basic Research Programs"?
These are JST programs for top-down promotion of directed basic research to achieve national policy objectives, and their purpose is the creation of technological "seeds" which are useful for industry and society. Research is conducted by researchers from universities, public research institutions and private sector firms, through the formation of time-limited consortia which cut across institutional boundaries. This is the reverse counterpart of bottom-up grants-in-aid for scientific research, which are based on the proposals of individual researchers.Comparison of top-down and bottom-up research projects
About Strategic Basic Research Programs
Purpose of these programs
This is a competitive funding system for promoting directed basic research in strategic, prioritized fields of science and technology. The aim is to stimulate future innovation in science and technology, and create new technologies to meet social and industrial needs.Overview and features of these programs
Promoting strategic research to find "seeds" in a way which responds to policy issues (top-down approach), in order to achieve strategic sectors established by the national governmentFor high-impact topics, the nation specifically establishes, as strategic sectors, how research results will be returned to the public in the future.
Building a flexible, agile research system, and proper research managementBased on strategic sectors, JST establishes research areas. Then the research supervisor, who acts as the leader, builds an optimal research system by bringing together researchers from industry, academia and government.
The research supervisor and JST conduct research management tasks, such as integrating researchers from different institutions, and effectively and efficiently allocating resources to achieve goals (virtual institute system).
Ensuring proper evaluation and transparencyThe research supervisor conducts pre-, interim and post-evaluation of the research topic, together with advisors from the research area. The interim evaluation results are reflected in review of the research team composition, and resource allocation.
Pre-, interim and post-evaluation of the research area and research supervisor is done by an evaluation committee made up of outside experts.
A follow-up investigation (usually done at least 5 years after work in the research area is finished) is conducted to determine how well the research results have been returned to the public.
All evaluation results are publicly released on the program home page, and in other media.
The Strategic Basic Research Programs System
The Three Basic Research Programs
- CREST
- Yatsugatake TypeLike the towering peaks of the Yatsugatake Mountains, impressive research groups have been assembled in one area to promote research to achieve national policy objectives.
- PRESTO
- The Ranch TypeUnder the eye of a mentor who is the owner of the ranch, strategic researchers will promote research through exchanges and contact and create technological seeds through their individual originality.
- ERATO
- Mt. Fuji TypeExpansion under a leader with great original research to which nothing compares, like Mt. Fuji, to break open new scientific fields and contribute to the implementation of domestic policy.
