ASPIRE 2026 Joint Call "Japan-Germany Advanced Fundamental Research toward the Establishment of Next-Generation Energy Technologies"
ASPIRE 2026 Joint Call "Japan-Germany Advanced Fundamental Research toward the Establishment of Next-Generation Energy Technologies"
5 November 2026
The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), in cooperation with the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), are working together to foster cooperative efforts in scientific research between Japan and Germany. This call for proposals aims at bilateral research projects in "Advanced Fundamental Research toward the Establishment of Next-Generation Energy Technologies".
Outline
This call aims to promote international collaborative research between researchers in Japan and Germany and invites proposals for bilateral Japan-Germany joint research projects in the field of "Advanced Fundamental Research toward the Establishment of Next-Generation Energy Technologies."
This call is implemented through a matching-fund scheme between JST and DFG. For projects selected under this call, JST will provide support for the Japanese research teams, while DFG will provide support for the German research teams.
Proposals submitted to JST and DFG will be jointly evaluated, and adopted projects will be jointly supported: Japan based research teams will be supported by JST; German based research teams will be supported by DFG.
- Partner country:
- Germany
- Partner funding agency:
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)
- Research field:
- Energy
- Research area:
- Advanced Fundamental Research toward the Establishment of Next-Generation Energy Technologies
Examples of research topics include, but are not limited to:- (1) Elucidation of degradation mechanisms in energy conversion and energy storage devices.
- (2) Understanding and control of charge, heat, and mass transport and conversion processes for improving the efficiency and safety of energy storage devices.
- Note:
- The research scope for German applicants is limited to the DFG review boards FK 4.22 (Fluid Mechan-ics, Technical Thermodynamics and Thermal Energy Engineering) and FK 4.32 (Materials Science).
See also: DFG call page
Support Scale
The funding amount from JST to the Japanese applicants will be up to JPY 380,000,000 for 5 years per project, plus 30% of indirect costs, from the start of the project to the end of March 2033.
Around five projects will be funded under this call.
Eligibility
Japanese Researchers
Researchers affiliated with research institutions in Japan (such as universities, independent administrative institutions, public research institutes, and public interest corporations) who conduct research at those institutions, as well as research teams composed of such researchers, are eligible to apply for this call for proposals.
In addition, researchers and research institutions considering an application to this call must be registered in the Cross-ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad) prior to application.
Note:
The following restrictions on multiple applications apply for the Japan-based applicants.
a. If an application is submitted to this call, the applicant may not apply as a PI or Co-PI to any other ASPIRE call (including Call for Japan based researchers, Joint calls, and calls administered by AMED) that commenced during the period from the start of this call until notification of results. Applicants (as PIs or Co-PIs)** may be selected for only one ASPIRE proposal.
b. PIs or Co-PIs currently supported under other ASPIRE Joint call may not submit applications.
c. PIs currently supported by other ASPIRE Call for Japan based researchers may apply, but if the proposal is selected, the existing ASPIRE-supported project will be terminated.
d. Co-PIs currently supported by ASPIRE Call for Japan based researchers may apply. 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 to apply, please contact JST via email in advance.
German Researchers
German based researchers should follow DFG regulations. Please refer to "Individual Research Grants" of DFG website 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 Germany.
Timeline
The schedule for the submission and review of the 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.
| Application via the e-Rad system deadline | 14 January 2027 (17:00 JST) |
|---|---|
| Document review | January to February 2027 |
| Interviews for Japan based PIs who pass the document review** | April 2027 |
| Notification of results | June 2027 |
| Start of research | August 2027 |
* Deadline for submissions in Germany: 14 January 2027 (17:00 CET)
** Applicants will be notified by email at least two weeks before the interview date.
Please note that we cannot answer inquiries regarding the progress of the review, including whether you will be subject to an interview or not.
Proposal Submission
Please read the Call Text, Annex of Call Text 1-2 and Application Guidelines「公募要領別紙」carefully before applying.
- The Japan and the German team will need to submit their applications by parallel submission, using the designated application form to draft a joint proposal in English and submit it to the application websites of their respective countries.
- Each research team in each country shall be led by a PI who is also responsible for submitting the required consortium application documents to JST/DFG.
- The PI in Japan and Germany should ensure that there are no differences in the content of the proposals submitted in the designated application form to Japan and Germany.
- If applicants do not submit the required documents to both JST and DFG by the deadline, the proposal shall not be accepted.
Application Form
| Call Text | |
|---|---|
| Annex of Call Text 1-2 (In Japanese) | |
| Application Form | Word |
| Application Guidelines「公募要領別紙」(In Japanese) | |
| e-Rad Manual (In Japanese) |
JST's Secure Research and Risk Management
ASPIRE (Joint Calls) falls under the category of a Specified Research and Development Program. In accordance with the Guidelines for Procedures to Ensure Research Security Initiatives (Tentative translation for 「研究セキュリティの確保に関する取組のための手順書」) (*) issued by the Cabinet Office, JST will implement measures to ensure research security across all research fields.
Please also refer to Annex of Call Text 2.
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.
- If the research institutions are a national or municipal organizations, the 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 your proposal.
- The PIs and Co-PIs must complete the Research Integrity Information section on the e-Rad platform to be eligible to apply.
- Proposals submitted through the e-Rad platform will not be considered for review if they are not completed by the stated deadline, regardless of the reason.
Prior Notice (recommended)
We advise the PI based in Japan to send a prior notice to JST regarding the proposal to be submitted by Friday, 18 December 2026, using the template below:
- To： aspire-de-ene(at)jst.go.jp (replace (at) with @)
- Subject (in Japanese)：「事前連絡_（機関名）_（氏名）」
- Body text：
- Research Project Title (Tentative)
- Japan-based Principal Investigator / Institution and Department Name
- Germany-based Principal Investigator / Institution and Department Name
Inquiries for Japan based Applicants
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Department of International Affairs
ASPIRE Coordination Group
aspire-de-ene(at)jst.go.jp (replace (at) with @)