Collaboration with Japan: AMED & JST “Alignment Calls”
Researchers with projects already funded by the SNSF can connect with their Japanese colleagues to participate in the AMED and JST “Alignment Calls”.
Under the new governmental programme ASPIRE, the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) have launched so-called “Alignment Calls”. In these calls, Japanese research groups will connect with already funded projects in one of the participating partner countries and subsequently submit a proposal to AMED or to JST. The SNSF is one of the participating partner funding agencies.
Collaboration costs for both teams can be covered by the Japanese budget. Should a joint Japanese-Swiss project be selected by AMED or by JST, the SNSF would contribute a supplementary grant of up to 200,000 Swiss francs to provide additional funding for the collaboration costs.
Projects can be submitted to AMED and JST in different categories. The AMED alignment call comprises “ASPIRE-A” and “ASPIRE-B” grants. At JST, projects can be submitted in the categories “top scientist”, “top research team” or “rising scientist”. When submitting projects to the Japanese funding agencies, researchers in Japan will be able to select the category they fall into (for more information, see links to the websites of AMED and JST.).
Important: Researchers in Switzerland do not need to submit any additional information to the SNSF, their Japanese counterparts are responsible for the submission of project proposals to AMED or JST.
The AMED call was opened on 6 June 2023. The submission deadline for the mandatory pre-proposal is 11 July 2023, 12:00 noon (Japan Standard Time). The submission deadline for the full proposal is 8 August 2023, 12:00 noon (Japan Standard Time).
The topics of the AMED alignment call are:
- cellular structure and function,
- complex systems of living organisms,
- human life stages
The JST call was also opened on 6 June 2023. It is not necessary to submit a pre-proposal. The submission deadline for the proposal is 17 August 2023, 12:00 noon (Japan Standard Time).
At JST, scientists can apply in the following research areas: AI and information, biotechnology, energy, materials, quantum, semiconductors, and telecommunications.
At AMED, researchers applying for an ASPIRE-A grant can ask for up to 380 million yen per project for a maximum duration of 5 years. AMED will be able to fund approx. 3 projects of this type. Under the ASPIRE-B grants, a maximum of 115 million yen per project can be requested for a duration of 3-5 years. AMED will be able to fund approx. 4 projects of this type.
At JST, “top research teams” or “top scientists” can apply for up to 500 million yen per project for a maximum duration of 5 years. JST will be able to fund approx. 20 projects of this type. Under “rising scientists”, a maximum of 90 million yen per project can be requested for a maximum duration of 3 years. JST will be able to fund approx. 30 projects of this type.
The call will be highly competitive, with multiple partner funding agencies from a number of different countries taking part.