ASPIRE 2025 Japan-UK joint call for collaborations in Advancing Human-Centered AI

（Last up dated 4 Mar 2025）

25 February 2025

The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), are jointly accepting proposals for Japan-UK collaborative research projects in the field of “Artificial intelligence (AI) and Information”, an emerging priority area for both countries.

Based on the implementation principles of the ASPIRE program in Japan, an initiative to develop and strengthen international joint research in scientific and technological fields of strategic priority with like-minded countries, this partnership programme aims to support internationally competitive collaborative research projects between Japan and the UK focusing on the development of AI and data science. This programme will create leading international research networks, and nurture early career researchers to invigorate the AI sector in each country.

Proposals submitted to JST and EPSRC will be jointly evaluated, and adopted projects will be jointly supported: Japan based research teams will be supported by JST; UK based research teams will be supported by EPSRC.

Link to Japanese page

Research Field and Scope

Call Title: Japan-UK joint call for collaborations in Advancing Human-Centered AI

Call Theme: Research related to advance human-centred AI, Data science and Robotics which will contribute towards a drive in productivity, growth and social good within Japan and the UK.

Scope:

Proposals related to one or more of the following research topics are encouraged, but submissions are not limited to these areas. For more details, please see the 'What we are looking for' section on the EPSRC website.

- Next-generation AI: Improving machine learning (deep learning) algorithms, establishing reliable AI and responsible AI systems, and applied research in areas such as computer vision and speech recognition and natural language processing.

- Robotics: Research on autonomous systems, autonomous driving, industrial robots, communication robots, companion robots, and robots capable of teaching advanced skills (e.g. craftsmanship) (excluding purely control-based or mechanical engineering research).

- AI for Health: Future predictive research for a healthier population, covering novel AI, automation and data science techniques to creating a healthier state. This includes advanced diagnostics, visualisation of invisible disease lesions and prediction and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, frailty and early detection of cognitive decline.

- Human-computer interface: Research related to novel technologies to allow humans to interact with digital technologies, for example through virtual reality and metaverse; and to enhance human physical and cognitive capabilities using information science technologies such as VR, AI, robotics and ICT.

For more details on the topics and scope of the call, please see the 'What we are looking for' section on the EPSRC call website

Support Scale

JST will fund Japan-based researchers up to JPY 280 million per project, including 30% overhead, for a period of 5 years. (Funding is expected to run from January 2026 to March 2031).

EPSRC will fund UK based researchers up to £1.5 million per project at 80% of its full economic cost for a maximum project duration of 5 years.

A maximum of four projects will be funded from this call for proposals.

Eligibility

• Japan-based applicants must be researchers affiliated with a research institution in Japan (e.g., university, independent administrative institution, public experimental research institution, public-interest corporation, or company) and conduct research at that institution.
• Researchers and research institutions must register with the "Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad)" prior to applying.
  
  Note: The following restrictions on multiple applications apply for Japan-based applicants.

  a. Applicants (PI and Co-PI) * may only apply to one of the ASPIRE 2025 Call for Proposals. This includes the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) ASPIRE 2025 Call for Proposals.

  b. PIs or Co-PIs currently supported under an ASPIRE Joint Call for Proposals may not submit applications.

  c. PIs currently supported by the ASPIRE Call for Japan Based Researchers may submit an application, but if the proposal is selected, the existing ASPIRE-supported project will be terminated.

  d. Co-PIs currently supported by the ASPIRE Call for Japan Based Researchers may submit an application. However, if their proposal is selected, they must withdraw from their existing ASPIRE-supported project. The project that the Co-PI withdrew from will undergo a re-assessment, including a review of the resource allocation and research plans.
  *PI: Principal Investigator in Japan, Co-PI: Co-Principal Investigator in Japan

  If you are a PI or Co-PI currently supported by ASPIRE and are considering submitting an application, please contact JST via email in advance.

• UK based researchers should follow UKRI regulations. Please visit the EPSRC funding opportunity and EPSRC’s eligibility page for further details.
• Each project proposal must have at least two eligible research teams: one team (at least) in Japan and one team (at least) in the UK. Please read the 'Who can apply' section of the EPSRC call website and section 2.3.3 of the JST Application Guidelines for further details.

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.

Prior notice deadline*	8 May 2025
Application via the e-Radsystem deadline**	23 May 2025 (14:00 JST)
Document review	June to September 2025
Interviews for Japan based PIs who pass the document review***	October 2025
Notification of results	November 2025
Start of research	January 2026

*Japan-based applicants are encouraged to provide prior notice of their proposal by 8 May. Further information can be found in the Prior Notice section of this webpage.

**Closing date for UK applicants: 22 May 2025 4:00pm UK time

***Applicants will be notified by email at least two weeks before the interview date.

Proposal Submission

Please read the 'How to apply' section of the EPSRC call website and section 2.7 of the JST Application Guidelines carefully before applying.

* Information on the Japan-UK AI Joint Call on the EPSRC website is being prepared and will be available soon. Please check back regularly.

• The Japan and the UK team will need to develop a joint proposal and submit their applications by parallel submission along the following steps.
  1. The Project Leads (PL) in UK is responsible for submitting the joint proposal using the UKRI Funding Service.
  2. Japan-based Principal Investigator (PI) must submit an additional information using the "Japan-UK AI and Information Application Form" to the UKRI Funding System via the UK PL. (JST application form)
     *Please ensure that the size of the PDF file you upload does not exceed 8MB.
  3. The Japan-based PI must obtain a copy file of the proposal submitted to the UK side from the UK researcher, and merge it with the completed JST application form into a PDF file to be uploaded to e-Rad.
• The PI/PL in Japan and UK should ensure that there are no differences in the content of the proposals submitted in the designated application form to Japan and UK.
• If applicants do not submit the required documents to both JST and EPSRC by the deadline, the proposal shall not be accepted. Please note that proposals should be prepared well in advance, as submission via e-Rad may take time.

Application Form

EPSRC call website	Japan-UK joint call for collaborations in Advancing Human-Centered AI
Application Guidelines「公募要領別紙」 (In Japanese)	PDF
JST Application Form (Japan-UK AI and Information Application Form)	Word
e-Rad Manual	PDF

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) for UK applicants

UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in UKRI’s thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. TR&I Principles  set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration. As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.  Further guidance and information about TR&I , including where you can find additional support.

JST's Secure Research and Risk Management

JST may conduct checks on applicants for this joint call, such as due diligence checks at the request of the EPSRC. For more information for Japan-based applicants, please see the JST Application Guidelines 4-3 in details.

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 using the form below by 8 May 2025.
Submission form: https://form2.jst.go.jp/s/japan_uk_ai

*Submission form entry details:
- Name, affiliation, position and e-mail address of the Japan-based PI
- Name, affiliation, position of the UK PL
- Tentative proposal title

Inquiries for Japan based Applicants

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

ASPIRE Coordination Group

aspire-uk(at)jst.go.jp (replace (at) with @)