I have chosen to make comments on the different programmes starting with ERATO. Since many of the suggestions and comments made for ERATO are valid for several of the other programmes, my comments on ERATO are longer. Individual research projects are also commented upon. Finally I make some general remarks on the promotion of science (outreach) and on the European Union RD programmes.
The funding level of the dq`sn projects, typically some 1.8 GYen in total over the five years, is very adequate and makes it possible to hire enough staff and acquire necessary research instruments. There are, however, two interlined problems with the project length and funding profile. These were quite evident with the two ERATO projects visited. Every new project needs a start-up phase, during which the bulk of new instruments can be acquired and during which a detailed planning of the project as well as hiring of necessary staff can take place. The effective project length therefore can vary from project to project and the effective research time can be as short as three years. It is suggested that for each project a start-up phase is defined in agreement with the project leader. A five year project length should be kept and it should start after the start-up phase.
There could be problems with the funding profile, caused by difficulties to carry over to the next financial year funding that has not been used. This is not an efficient use of the overall project budget. It is suggested that JST makes every effort to facilitate even further, within the JST budget envelope, simple changes of funding profiles.
The international participation in the ERATO programmes does not reach the goal of about 30%. Part of this is very likely language problems, but one reason could be that the programmes are not enough known internationally. The procedure to select research areas was not much discussed during our visit, but it seems to be done without international advice. A good selection of areas is of course very important and may also become more difficult with time. A possible way to improve this situation is to have an international advisory group that participates in the selection of research areas. Members of such a group could help finding international partners. Regular international reviews of individual programmes could also help the internationalising.
The ERATO projects are generally located in special premises outside universities. This certainly has advantages but also makes collaboration with university groups and individuals less frequent. Daily discussions of research projects with colleagues from other fields are often very beneficial for all parties. The project leaders of the future are probably to be found among the young university researchers and an increased contact could therefore be important In the case of ERATO increased university contacts could lead to new or interdisciplinary projects. Also the number of students in the projects could be increased.
Individual ERATO project: NAMBA protonic nano machine
The ERATO funding has allowed dr Namba to acquire instruments and techniques necessary to study structures and functions of basic biomolecular reactions. The research is excellent with results published in Nature and Science. The topic is very timely and in the forefront of todayfs biophysics research. This project as well as the others we have had the possibility to briefly study points to one of the basic problems with ERATO: length and budgeting. This issue is considered above.
Individual ERATO project: KITANO
This project is exceptional in two ways. Firstly it has a strong international part with seven persons at CalTech. Secondly there are four graduate students and five female participants. The leader is a true entrepreneur and was appointed project leader unusually young - ten years below average for ERATO projects. Dr Kitano also commented about the need for a start-up phase and larger flexibility for the funding profile, considered in section 2.2 above. In his case with two clearly different parts it turned out that the start-up phase for the robotics part was about half a year whereas for the biology part it was much longer, 1.5-2 years! There are large possibilities for spin-off companies. There is a need for better TT (Technology Transfer) support from JST.
Both the national review and comments from individual researchers point to a problem with the selection process. The selection process would gain from being more transparent for proposers.
The arguments above for the ERATO projects concerning funding profile and the need for a start-up phase are also valid for CREST. It is suggested that for each project a start-up phase is defined in agreement with the project leader. The five year project length should start after the start-up phase. It is suggested that JST makes every effort to facilitate even further, within the JST budget envelope, simple changes of funding profiles.
Individual CREST projects: Molecular mechanisms of Ageing
This project that may make it possible to study the mechanisms of ageing on the molecular level, showed how the CREST funding level can open up new fields. Although it is only one of the 52 CREST projects started during the first years it is clear that this competitive programme can break new roads. Also here the limit on time is good, although some flexibility in the start-up would be beneficial.
Individual CREST projects: Microscopic resolution of phase and amplitude
This project is an example of a very good cooperation between industry and university. The 1 MV microscope with a record current density developed at the Hitachi ARL in collaboration with Tokyo university opens new possibilities in e.g. superconductivity.
Similarly to the ERATO and CREST programmes the programme can benefit from an increased flexibility as regards project length since different areas do require different time to achieve results with e.g. different start-up time. It is proposed that JST introduces some more flexibility in project length.
PRESTO individual projects.
The four PRESTO researchers that presented their work at Kyoto were enthusiastic, made very good and interesting presentations, they all seemed excellent. The Waseda researcher made a special point of long procurement time of instrument. His project is also a good example of JST-university collaborative funding.
The international collaborative programme ICORP is, based on (rather limited) personal contacts with ICORP projects, a very good way of increasing international contacts.
Already today one sees in many countries that the quality of school science teachers is decreasing which, in turn, in a negative way influences the interest of children. Every effort must be made to change this development and to instead increase the interest for science and technology.
The effort of JST to promote science is therefore most welcome and necessary. Well made Web-based educational sites are becoming more and more important. Indeed, one could ask if not a larger fraction (less than 1% of the JST budget is used 2000 for its promotion programme) of a governmental research budget should be used to secure the more long term future. It is suggested that JST examines the possibilities to increase the promotion of science, perhaps in collaboration with other agencies. International collaboration could be beneficial.
