Programs

Funding Programs

As a network-based research institute, JST takes the initiative to promote research and development activities linked to innovation, and tackles economic and social issues through the practical application of its research output as well as international collaborative research.

Strategic Basic Research

JST-Mirai Program

This program promotes research and development from a basic research stage to a stage where industry can decide whether they could make a business successful (proof of concept: POC). To achieve it, we set goals focusing on clear targets which realize economic and social impact and challenge technological difficulties.

Strategic Basic Research Programs

Strategic Basic Research Programs seek to build virtual research institutes (time limited research organizations spanning organizational boundaries) consisting of networks of researchers at universities, companies, and public research institutions. Researchers pursue their work, while building networks of other researchers, industrial concerns that will benefit from the fruits of research work, and interested parties in society at large, under the leadership of a Program Officer (Research Supervisor, etc.) performing the role of the institute director.

CREST (Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology)

Based on management of the research area defined by the supervisor, we pursue researchers who have unique and stimulating ideas. We give aid to studies that aim for the creation of new values leading to innovations in science and technology. With advice and guidance from the research supervisor and area advisor, young researchers advance their research studies according to their unique ideas. As they communicate and form networks with researchers from different fields in and out of their research area, young researchers try to establish themselves in the field.

PRESTO (Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology)

Under the management principles in the research area selected by the research supervisor as the manager in the research area, the young researchers selected by the research supervisor form a network with researchers in different research areas to promote a challenging individual-type research that is only accomplished by such young researchers.

ACT-X

Based on management of the research area defined by the supervisor, we pursue researchers who have unique and stimulating ideas. We give aid to studies that aim for the creation of new values leading to innovations in science and technology. With advice and guidance from the research supervisor and area advisor, young researchers advance their research studies according to their unique ideas. As they communicate and form networks with researchers from different fields in and out of their research area, young researchers try to establish themselves in the field.

ERATO(Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology)

In line with the Strategic Objectives set by MEXT, JST identifies key Research Areas with high potential for generating the seeds of new technologies, then appoints Research Directors responsible for managing their own research area. They formulate their own detailed frameworks for research and they also recruit researchers to contribute to the realization of their research vision, leading their teams directly in the pursuit of this research. Participation and cooperation are drawn from a broad range of sources, including JST, industry, academia and government agencies, and may include overseas participation. Hence, this program encourages a collaborative structure and the management of joint projects.

ALCA-Next(Advanced Technologies for Carbon-Neutral)

This program promotes basic research on innovative technologies that are not just extensions of conventional technologies and that will bring about discontinuous innovation, with the aim of contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050.

RISTEX(Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society)

RISTEX promotes R&D for resolving practical issues in the society and ethical, legal and social issues/implications (ELSI) of science and technology, by the collaboration between researchers and various stakeholders. RISTEX contributes to the achievement of SDGs and the building of the appropriate relationship between science, technology and society, by producing outputs useful in resolving problems in the real world and engaging in the pursuit with a strong emphasis on social implementation. RISTEX also promotes the “Future Earth” initiative which is an international framework for the engagement in global environmental problems.

SOLVE for SDGs:Solution-Driven Co-creative R&D Program for SDGs

For the purpose of contributing for achieving the SDGs, JST will promote a solution-driven R&D program in a co-creative manner involving multi stakeholders from various sectors. JST will clarify social issues and bottlenecks, create scenarios and solutions (case examples) to the issues in a holistic manner using scientific methodology based on natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Moonshot Research and Development

JST is driving high risk, high impact R&D towards ambitious and attractive targets (Moonshot targets, determined by the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI)) to solve issues facing future society.

Information Platform and Database Services, etc.

DICP:Database Integration Coordination Program

The Database Integration Coordination Programis a program to develop databases which collect research data and utilize them in an integrated manner in life science.

Industry-Academia Collaboration and Technology Transfer

COI-NEXT (Program on open innovation platform for industry-academia co-creation)

Reflecting upon the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, this program puts forward the vision of a future society based on the SDGs and realizes it through collaboration from industry, academia and the government, with universities being the main driving force. This program will help form centers of excellence that promote backcasting R&D which creates new economic and social values as well as generation and sustainable management of industry-academia co-creation system which supports such backcasting R&D.

OPERA(Program on Open Innovation Platform with Enterprises, Research Institute and Academia) [Japanese text only]

In order to promote new major industries in this program, industry and academia collaborate on planning a “technology and system innovation scenario”, and the program promotes R&D based on this scenario executed by their tight collaboration. we aim to enhance industry-academia partnership concerning basic research and human resources development, and to develop open innovation in our country.

A-STEP (Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-Driven R&D)

This program supports industry-academia collaborative R&D across a wide range of phases to develop commercial applications of research output generated by basic research. Several types of funding are provided under this program, depending on the characteristics of each R&D phase.

NexTEP(Newly extended TEchnology transfer Program)

Companies have their own business plans based on university's research results, yet many are not executed due to the developmental risk. NexTEP aims to accelerate commercialization by supporting company's large-scale practical development and obtain the sustainable business growth.

START (Program for Creating STart ups from Advanced Research and Technology)

"START" is a program to support R&D and commercialization integrally to create start-ups with the support of "Project Promoters" (venture capitals). Another program called "SCORE" provides practical training opportunities of testing and improving business model hypothesis for verification of the possibility of start-ups.

SUCCESS (SUpport program of Capital Contribution to Early-Stage companies)

“SUCCESS” is to invest in start-up companies which attempt to translate the outputs from JST-funded R&Ds into practical application. Not only seed money but also supports from human and technical points of view can be offered to these companies.

Intellectual Property Utilization Support Program

JST offers support for the acquisition of rights for the results of university research, along with support for universities' intellectual property (IP) management, packaging, licensing to companies, and opportunities for matching between industry and academia, as well as training of technology transfer personnel. JST aims at contributing to the creation of innovation through comprehensive support for intellectual property management initiatives at universities and other organizations, technology transfer, and industry-academia collaboration activities.

Converting Research Output to IP

JST supports the acquisition of foreign patents by universities-self for applications for patents with a high likelihood of technology transfer activities or patent utilization in the future. JST provides comprehensive support for PCT applications and transfers to designated countries, including assistance with expenses and expert opinions from JST intellectual property specialists.

Patent Consultation for Universities

JST provides patent strategy consultation, invention consultation, and support to strengthen universities' IP management.

Collection of University Patents

JST collects university patents for which there are expectations of technology transfer and innovation creation, but which are difficult to hold singly, receiving their transfer on a paid basis in anticipation of the outcome, and works to actively promote their utilization.

Super Highway

Among the collected patents, for those with high technological superiority and which are expected to have a substantial socioeconomic effect, JST secures rights to the (peripheral) technologies required for commercialization in conducting proof of concept (demonstration testing). JST works to enhance attractiveness to companies as a patent package, and to achieve early utilization.

Licensing

In order to facilitate commercialization of the research output originating from universities, public research institutions and JST programs, JST undertakes licensing activities.

Innovation JAPAN: University Technology Exhibitions

To provide opportunities for matching high-quality technology seeds with the needs of industry, JST organizes a national-scale university knowledge fair named “INNOVATION JAPAN: University Technology Exhibitions.”

New Technology Presentation Meetings

Inventors explain their new technology at new technology presentation meetings, and researchers at universities present their own perspectives on the potential for commercial applications for their new technologies to companies.

Open Innovation Seminars Communicating the Needs of Companies to Universities

At Open Innovation Seminars, companies can present their research-related needs to universities, including issues that require short-term solutions and companies wishing to conduct collaborative research with universities.

Portal Site for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration

This information portal site aims to provide a comprehensive range of information relating to industry-academia-government collaboration for those who engage in these activities.

Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Support Database

This valuable online database provides all parties involved in industry-academia-government collaboration with an extensive range of information.

Human Resource Development Program for Technology Transfer

We conduct research aimed at increasing the specialist knowledge of smart human resources involved in technology transfer work with universities and foundations, and at building people networks.

International Collaborations

ASPIRE (Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem)

This program is an initiative to develop and strengthen Japan's scientific and technological capabilities through supporting international joint research in scientific and technological fields of strategic priority, while simultaneously promoting researcher mobility in the Japanese research community by connecting top researchers from Japan and other leading countries and regions in scientific research.

SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development)

SATREPS is an international research program conducted in collaboration with JICA, which provides official development assistance (ODA).
Based on the needs of developing countries, this program aims to address global issues and to produce research outcomes of practical benefit to both local and global societies.

SICORP(Strategic International Collaborative Research Program)

We support large-scale international research collaboration on an equal-partnership basis, with partner countries and regions and in research fields designated through interministerial agreement.

AJ-CORE

AJ-CORE (Africa-Japan Collaborative Research) is a multilateral research framework connecting three (or more) countries: Japan, South Africa, and at least one African country.
Researchers from other African countries will cooperate on an equal-partnership basis with those from Japan and South Africa, together contributing to issues of local and global significance.

e-ASIA JRP

The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) is an international joint initiative between public funding organizations of the East Asia Summit member countries. With a central focus on Southeast Asia, the e-ASIA JRP co-funding mechanism aims to strengthen regional research and development capabilities and resolve common challenges in the region.

EIG CONCERT-Japan

CONCERT-Japan began as a platform for international research cooperation activities under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7).
After the conclusion of the FP7 iteration in December 2014, its activities continued under the new European Interest Group (EIG) CONCERT-Japan name with 13 science, technology and innovation (STI) funding agencies from 11 European countries and Japan (as of 2019) partnering to further research collaboration and exchange. Through STI policy knowledge sharing, research exchange, network building and joint funding calls, the program supports Japanese-European research collaboration in a variety of fields.

BELMONT FORUM

The Belmont Forum gathers the world's major and emerging funders of global environmental change research and international science councils to mobilize and coordinate resources towards its mission of advancing environmental sustainability research. The Forum works closely with the scientific community as well as other key actors such as the Future Earth initiative.

International Symposia

In addition to supporting joint research with other countries, JST also engages in various international exchange activities including workshops and programs and programs to promote the exchange of young researchers.

Collection of science and technology information from overseas

Promoting science and technology cooperation at an early stage in fields that will become prominent in the future, fostering exchange especially among young researchers and creating networks are all extremely important activities for the development of science and technology in Japan. For this reason, JST is collecting information related to overseas science and technology through the Infrastructure Development for Promoting International S&T Cooperation program.

Sakrua Science Program

With close collaboration among industrial, academic and governmental institutions, this program offers opportunities for excellent young scientists from overseas to visit Japan

Accommodation for foreign researchers

To further promote international exchange, JST operates accommodation (“Ninomiya House”) in Tsukuba, available for use by visiting researchers.

Promotion of international policy dialogue contributing to the development of science and technology diplomacy

JST supports international meetings and other activities to promote discussion about the future of science and technology involving a wide range of leading stakeholders from industry, academia and government. (Japanese text only)