ASPIRE2025 Joint Call for proposals "Japan-UK Quantum Technologies for Innovation"

(Last updated 15 Mar 2025)

13　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 "Quantum Technologies", which is 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 quantum technologies, creating leading international researcher networks, and nurturing early career researchers to build a thriving quantum sector in both countries.

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

“Japan-UK Joint call for Quantum Technologies for Innovation”

Proposals related to one or more of the following scope areas are encouraged, but submissions are not limited to these areas alone. However, all proposals must include plans for promoting international talent mobility and circulation of researchers. All proposals are also expected to contribute to the development of quantum technologies through the collaborative efforts between the researchers in Japan and the UK.

• Scope Area 1
  Research into quantum communication and quantum computing to enable ultra-high-speed and massively increase parallel information processing
• Scope Area 2
  Development of quantum technologies such as sensing and metrology with accuracy beyond existing technologies
• Scope Area 3
  Creation of innovative quantum electronics using high performance materials
  The continuous development of quantum materials

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

Support Scale

JST will fund Japan based researchers up to 285 million JPY per project (up to 370 million JPY including 30% overhead expenses), lasting from the start of the project to the end of March 2031. (Expected to fund from January 2026 to March 2031)

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

About three projects will be funded from this call for proposals.

Eligibility

• Japan based researchers should be conducting research at a research institution (university, independent administrative institution, public experimental research institution, public-interest corporation, or company) within Japan.
  
  Note: The following restrictions on multiple applications apply for Japan-based applicants.

  a. Applicants (whether as 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 (aspire-uk@jst.go.jp) in advance.

• UK based researchers should follow UKRI regulations. Please refer to Section 5. "Eligible beneficiaries and composition of the consortia" of the Call Text 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.

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*	24 April 2025
Application via the e-Radsystem deadline**	9 May 2025 (14:00/JST)
Document review	May 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

*Prior notice will be given to JST by Japan-based PI by email of their intention to apply for this funding opportunity through the PI. For details, please refer to the detail below.

**Closing date for UK applicants: 8 May 2025 4:00pm UK time

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

Proposal Submission

All Applicants in Japan are required to read "EPSRC Call Guideline" and JST’s Application Guidelines "公募要領別紙" carefully before applying.

• The Japan and the UK team will need to develop a joint proposal and submit their applications by parallel submission along the following steps.
• The Project Leads (PL) in UK is responsible for submitting the joint proposal using the UKRI Funding Service.
• The Japan-based PI must obtain the copy of the proposal submitted to the UK side from the UK researcher, as will be required for the Japanese side of the application.
• Japan-based PI will be requested by JST to provide additional information using the "Japan-UK Quantum Technologies Application Form"
• The PI should merge the PDF file of the joint proposal submitted to UKRI funding service shared by the PL and Japan-UK Quantum Technologies Application Form into one PDF file and upload the merged file to e-Rad.

* Please ensure that the size of the PDF file you upload does not exceed 8MB.

• 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 required documents to both JST and EPSRC by the deadline, the proposal shall not be accepted.
• For more about Proposal submission, refer to JST call Guideline 2.7

Application Form

EPSRC Japan-UK Joint call for Quantum Technologies for Innovation (JST-EPSRC)	Japan-UK Joint opportunity for Quantum Technologies for Innovation
Application Guidelines「公募要領別紙」 (In Japanese)	PDF
Japan-UK Quantum Technologies 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. 7 Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our 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)

It is recommended that the PI send JST a prior notice about any proposal being submitted by Thursday 24 April 2025, according to the template below:

• To： aspire-uk(at)jst.go.jp (replace (at) with @)
• Subject (in Japanese)：「事前連絡_（機関名）_（氏名）」
• Body text：
  1. Research Project Title (Tentative)
  2. Japan-based Principal Investigator / Institution and Department Name
  3. UK-based Project Lead / Institution and Department Name

Event Information

"Japan-UK Quantum Technology Networking Fair 2024"

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), in collaboration with Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), jointly held a workshop to promote UK-Japan quantum research collaboration.

Date: December 6th (Friday), 2024　9:30 - 12:00 (18:30 - 21:00 JST) 
*This event has ended.
Programme: https://www.jst.go.jp/aspire/pdf/event_aspire2024_uk_program.pdf

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 @)