ASPIRE 2023 Call for Proposals

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ASPIRE 2023 Call for Proposals

June 6, 2023

ASPIRE 2023 Call for Proposals

Link to Japanese page for this call

Introduction

As a part of the ASPIRE (Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem) program to fund top-level research and promote researcher mobility, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) is launching a call welcoming proposals in a variety of research fields that will contribute to cultivating internationally leading researchers and their integration in leading international researcher networks.

Outline

Proposals are welcomed from Japan-based researchers intending to conduct collaborative research with researchers from other advanced countries and regions in science and technology. To be eligible for this call, counterpart researchers need to be currently receiving or expecting to receive support for their research from eligible funding agencies or research institutions.

ASPIRE for
Top Scientists		 ASPIRE for
Top Teams		 ASPIRE for
Rising Scientists
Research Fields AI and Information, Biotechnology, Energy, Quantum, Materials, Semiconductors and Telecommunications
Partner Countries and Regions United States, European Union, Italy, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Belgium, Poland,
Portugal, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Australia
Support Scale
  • A maximum of 100 million yen per project per year (including 30% as indirect costs)
  • Approx. 5 years of support from February 2024 to March 2029
  • 20 projects of support in total across all research fields
  • A maximum of 30 million yen per project per year (including 30% as indirect costs)
  • Approx. 3 years of support from February 2024 to March 2027
  • 30 projects of support in total across all research fields
Note The following points are requirements for each proposal:
  • Early-career researchers must travel to the partner country and conduct research activities there for about one year. Researchers from the partner country must be invited and included in the Japan-side research team.
  • At least 70% of the total direct expenses must be used for the purpose of fostering early-career researchers who are expected to become the next generation of top researchers by building and expanding international networks that will lead to the advanced research and development, promoting researchers’ mobility between Japan and the partner countries, and providing them opportunities for top-level international research collaboration.

*The same applicant may not apply for ASPIRE for Top Scientists, ASPIRE for Top Teams and ASPIRE for Rising Scientists in the same cycle.
*Please read guidelines and the appendix carefully for details on how to apply.

Eligibility

The Japan-based researcher applicant must be affiliated with a university, research institution, or company in Japan.
Partner researcher needs to meet either criteria (i) or (ii):
　(i) already be receiving research support from an eligible funding agency or research institution in their country or region; or
　(ii) are currently applying for research support from an eligible funding agency or research institution in their country or region, with the outcome known by no later than the end of August 2023.
Note: If the partner researcher is ultimately unsuccessful in receiving research support, the Japan-side application will be deemed ineligible.

Proposal and Review Schedule

The schedule for the submission and review of research proposals for FY2023 is as indicated in the table below and is subject to change. 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.

Application via the e-Rad system deadline August 17, 2023 (noon)
Document review Late August to early November 2023
Interview for applicants who pass the document review November 20 (Mon), 21 (Tue), 22 (Wed),
24 (Fri), 29 (Wed), 2023
Notification of results Early January 2024 (tentative)
Start of research February 2024 (tentative)

* The above details are subject to change.

Application Form

Document/Form ASPIRE for
Top Scientists		 ASPIRE for
Top Teams		 ASPIRE for
Rising Scientists
Call for Proposals PDF PDF
Application Form Word Word
Application Guidelines (in Japanese) PDF
LOI (Letter of Intent) Sample Word
e-Rad Manual PDF

Prior Notice (recommended)

It is recommended that applicants send JST a prior notice about any proposal being submitted by July 31, according to the template below:

To：ASPIRE Coordination Group Emails (replace (at) with @)
ASPIRE for Top Scientists & ASPIRE for Top Teams: aspire(at)jst.go.jp
ASPIRE for Rising Scientists: aspirers(at)jst.go.jp

Subject： 「Prior Notice_(Research Institution Name)_(Name)」

Body text：
01 Applicable Research Field (from field 1-7)
02 Research Project Title (tentative)
03 Japanese Principal Researcher / Institution Name
04 Partner Principal Researcher / Institution Name
05 Funding Agency of Partner Research Project
06 Award Number, Project ID, Application ID etc. of Partner Research Project

Research Fields

  • AI and Information
    AI and information research for the realization of Society 5.0* based on the principles of "human understanding and respect," "diversity" and "sustainability"
  • Biotechnology
    Biotechnology research related to promoting the bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture, as well as reduced negative impact on the environment.
  • Energy
    Energy research for carbon neutrality
  • Materials
    Materials research that contributes to a carbon neutral society and circular economy
  • Quantum
    Research related to quantum computers and quantum technology in general, including on quantum materials with innovative functionality, which contributes to the realization of a productivity revolution.
  • Semiconductors
    Semiconductor research related to promoting the semiconductor industrial sector.
  • Telecommunications
    Research on telecommunications technology that contributes to the development of a next-generation infrastructure for a digital society.

* https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/society5_0/index.html

Inquiries

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
Department of International Affairs
ASPIRE Coordination Group Emails (replace (at) with @)
ASPIRE for Top Scientists, ASPIRE for Top Teams： aspire(at)jst.go.jp
ASPIRE for Rising Scientists: aspirers(at)jst.go.jp

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