The call for applications for research proposals for 2024 in the Strategic Basic Research Programs (CREST, PRESTO and ACT-X) is now opened. Please see below for the schedule and the research areas. The information on the call for new research areas for FY2024 has also been updated.

Schedule：FY2024

Application deadlines

PRESTO/ACT-X:	Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 12:00 noon, Japan time
CREST:	Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 12:00 noon, Japan time
Document review:	Early June – Late July
Notification of document review results on e-Rad:	Early July – Late July
Interview review (Online):	Middle of July – Early August
Notification and announcement of interview results:	Late September
Research start:	October 1st, 2024 (planning)

List of the research areas

Explanatory meeting

Please check the following three updated points of the program (items 1 to 3), and the two pre-registration contents on e-Rad (items 4 and 5) in advance.

1.ABOLISHED: Exclusion of Conflicts of Interest Involving Research Project Applicants and the Research Supervisor from the Selection

Research applicants who had a conflict of interest with the research supervisor had been excluded from the selection process, but from FY2024 this measure will be abolished, and they will be included in the selection process after implementing conflict of interest management.

For more information on the management, please see the Application Guidelines '5.1.2 Selection Method.'

2.UPDATED: Format of Research Achievement in the Research Proposal (Narrative Format)

Description of the research achievements of applicants has mainly been requested to include only bibliographical materials, such as "list of achievements" and "list of patents" until FY2023. From FY2024, the achievement format will be changed to "narrative format" in which applicants can describe research execution ability and contribution to the research area based on a more diverse range of achievements to obtain more appropriate and sufficient information without changing the current evaluation perspective (see the abstract below*).

3.UPDATED: Notification of Review Results

We will send notifications of those selected for interviews via email. Rejection results of the document and interview review will be registered on e-Rad. Please note that you will not be notified via email when your application is rejected for the document review. We will also send reasons for rejection after the end of the selection via e-mail.

4.IMPORTANT NOTICE: Pre-Registration of "Research Integrity" on e-Rad system

Pre-Registration of “Research Integrity” on e-Rad system is required when you apply. If you have not completed it yet, please proceed immediately by checking the instructions below. Note that Co-PIs (CREST) are also required to register the information on e-Rad system.

https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian/en/koubo/2024e-rad_en.pdf#page=3

5.NOTICE: Pre-Registration of the Status of Security Trade Control Systems

Pre-registration of the status of security trade control systems in research institutions is required on e-Rad system from FY2024.

For more information on how to register, please check the instructions below.

https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/boshuu/teian/en/koubo/2024e-rad_en.pdf#page=15

*[Narrative format abstract]

For CREST, based on your research experience, how the individual proposing the research (the "research sponsor") has the ability to carry out the research proposal, and, as the research team leader, how the research sponsor will be responsible for the research as a whole and how they have the ability to lead and manage the research team is requested.

For PRESTO and ACT-X, evidence of your capacity to carry out the proposed research and contribute to the advancement of the research area as well as the continuous development of related fields is requested.

Format Example (CREST)