Intensive Support Program for Young Promising Researchers

The purpose of this project is to discover young researchers who belong to universities and other research institutions and are engaged in creative basic or applied research aimed at practical application and to promote joint research and other activities between young researchers and private companies, thereby fostering talented researchers who will lead next-generation innovation and contribute to the creation of new industries in Japan.

* Young researchers：

<Matching and Support Phase, Joint Research Phase>
Principal investigators (researchers enrolled in universities and other research institutions, hold a doctoral degree, and are under 45 years old as of April 1 of the fiscal year in which the grant project begins)

Registered researchers (researchers or students enrolled in universities and other research institutions, who have obtained a doctoral degree or who are recognized by the head of their department, etc., as having research and development capabilities as of April 1 of the fiscal year in which the grant project begins, and who are under 45 years of age).

1. Joint Research Formation Type

(1) Matching Support Phase

Matching support will be provided to create opportunities for joint and other research between a private company and young researchers affiliated with universities and other research institutions who are conducting creative basic or applied research with purposes that the industry expects.
Projects that are adopted as eligible will be subsidized.
The grant will be awarded to the universities or research institutions to which the young researcher is affiliated.

(2) Joint Research Phase

This program nurtures young researchers who are affiliated with universities and other research institutions that conduct creative basic or applied research for practical application provided that they conclude a joint research agreement with a private company, and the private company covers the cost of the joint research to the universities and other research institutions.
The grant will be awarded to the universities and other research institutions to which the young researcher is affiliated.

(3) Joint Research Phase (Company Personnel Doctoral Dispatch Type)

When a company and a university or other academic institution implement a subsidized project during the joint research phase, support will be provided for initiatives in which a young researcher employed by the company enrolls in a doctoral (advanced-stage) program at the university or institution and conducts purpose-oriented, creative basic or applied research that is expected to accelerate the commercialization of the outcomes from the joint research phase.
Such support is contingent upon the company concluding an agreement with the university or other academic institution regarding the implementation of joint research or related activities for the subsidized project proposed under this phase.
The grant will be awarded to the company to which the young researcher is affiliated.

2. Advanced Industry-Academia Collaboration
(Industrial educational institution Type)

This program targets initiatives that establish and operate contract-based academic departments, conduct research and development in collaboration with industry. These initiatives aim to contribute to the creation of new industries, while fostering highly specialized professionals who strengthen industrial competitiveness and advancing university–industry collaboration.
Note that, as an application requirement, the university–industry collaboration must be limited to newly initiated research and development projects—such as research themes, project periods, and costs associated with collaboration—that commence on or after the date of the grant decision.

* Universities, etc.:

[Joint Research Formation Type]
National and public research institutes, national university corporations, inter-university research institute corporations, public universities, private universities, and colleges of technology located in Japan, as well as National Research and Development Agencies, Incorporated Administrative Agencies, Local Incorporated Administrative Agencies, Public Interest Incorporated Foundations, Public Interest Incorporated Associations, and other equivalent institutions.

[Industrial educational institution Type]
Universities or colleges of technology as defined in Article 1 of the School Education Act (Act No. 26 of 1947).

* Companies:

Private companies, technology research associations, general incorporated foundations, and general incorporated associations registered in Japan (limited to those having their principal bases for technology development and decision-making related to their business activities in Japan).

* Joint Research, etc.:

Activities conducted by universities, etc. and companies as efforts toward the practical application of technologies, including joint research, commissioned research, endowed chairs, technical guidance, research internships, utilization of cross-appointment systems, and recurrent education programs.