FAQ on Basic Science and Environmental Research Grants
Question

Answer

１ Qualification of Applicant① Is any age restriction applied?

No. There is no age restriction.

② Is a foreign researcher with non-Japanese nationality eligibleYes.

to apply?

Regardless of the nationality, such applicant must belong to a university, aIf yes, can a Japanese person apply on behalf of the foreign researcher?

college or a research institution in Japan with an approval from an authorized
person representing the affiliation to apply for this grant program.
The application by someone else on behalf of the applicant cannot be accepted.
With regard to the English Application, please refer to Question 5-②.

③ Is a foreign researcher with permission for permanent residence inJapan eligible to apply?

If yes, can a Japanese person apply onYes.
If such an applicant belongs to a university, a college or a research institution

outside Japan, the applicant should obtain an approval from an authorized

behalf of the foreign researcher?

person representing the affiliation to apply for this grant program.
The application by someone else on behalf of the applicant cannot be accepted.
With regard to the English Application, please refer to Question 5-②.
Yes.

④ I have Japanese nationality, but reside abroad now. Am I eligible?

If you belong to a university, a college or a research institution outside Japan,

you should obtain an approval from an authorized person representing theaffiliation to apply for this grant program. With regard to the English
Application, please refer to Question 5-②.
⑤ Is there any limit on the number of applicants per each research

No limit, but an applicant needs to obtain an approval from the affiliation.

institution?
⑥ Is a freelance researcher who does not belong to any researchYes.

institution eligible?

However, such an applicant must have Japanese nationality or permission forIf yes, how to describe in the application form?

permanent residence in Japan. “N/A” is to be input in the column of “Affiliation”
on Page 1 of the application form. With regard to the English Application, pleaserefer to Question 5-②.
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Question

Answer⑦ Is a graduate student eligible?

Yes.

⑧ I am a teacher of an elementary school (or Junior high school or highYes.

school or technical college)
Am I eligible?
⑨ I belong to both a university and a profit-making corporation. Am I
eligible?

No.
Anyone who belongs to a profit-making organization even partially is not eligible.

⑩ Some collaborators belong to profit-making organizations. Am I
eligible?

Yes.
It does not matter whether a collaborator belongs to a profit-making organization
or not.

⑪ I am involved in another research project as a collaborator. Am I

Yes.

eligible to apply for the different research project?
⑫ I have been awarded the current year’s grant. Am I eligible to apply forYes.

a continued research project under the same research subject since theBasic Science Research Grant Program allows a continued project up to 2 years,

current project may not be completed by the current expiration date?

while Environmental Research Grant Program does not.

⑬ Are parallel applications for General Research and Special Research ofEnvironmental Research Grant Program or of Basic Science Research
Grant

ProgramandEnvironmental

Research

Grant

Programacceptable?

No.
Parallel applications or simultaneous plural applications are not acceptable. Please
select only one grant application. If the Sumitomo Foundation (“Foundation”hereafter) notices parallel or plural applications, such applicant will beimmediately disqualified.

⑭ Can a student join the project as a collaborator?

Yes. Both undergraduate student and graduate student can.

⑮ The collaborator is awarded by the other grant organization. Should thisYes.

fact be described in the application form?

Please describe the grant by the other grant organization if the research subject isthe same as or similar to the proposed research.

⑯ I have been awarded by the other grant organization for a different

Yes.

research subject. Do I need to describe such grant in the application

Please describe such grant of 10,000,000yen or more in the designated column onform?

the application form.

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Question

Answer

２ Applicable Research ProjectYes.

① Is remuneration for a temporal staff or a student applicable expense?

However, remuneration for services rendered by the applicant and/or his/hercollaborator is not applicable.
② Are admission fees for research symposia which the applicant does notYes.

belong to applicable?
③ Is software development cost which is especially needed for analysis
applicable?

Yes.
However, software for general use is not applicable.

④ Are indirect expenses (or Overhead Expenses) of applicant’s affiliation
applicable?

No.
Indirect expenses (or Overhead Expenses) of the affiliation are not applicable atall. The grantee should submit a “CERTIFICATE OF OVERHEAD EXPENSES”
issued by the affiliation to Foundation once your application is adopted.

⑤ 【Only for Special Research of Environmental Research Grant】

Yes.

Is an ongoing research project also eligible?

Not only a new research project but an ongoing research project is also eligible.

３ Duties of Applicant (as Grantee)① Does a collaborator also need to sign an “Consent Letter” withFoundation?

No.
Only a grantee needs to sign an “Consent Letter” to Foundation.

４ Selection ProcedureNo.

① Is there an interview with Foundation during the course of selection?

The selection is carried out on an application documents basis only.
５ Application Procedure① The space of the application form (WORD File) is too small to fill inNo.

details. Can I expand some columns as needed or attach additional

Please do not alter the format of the designated application form. The application

documents?

form (WORD file) consists of only 3 pages. Increased pages nor Additional
documents are not accepted. Should pages be increased or additional paper beattached, those documents would not be considered for selection.

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Question

AnswerYes, if you are a qualified applicant.

② Can I apply in English?

The application forms must be prepared in either Japanese or English.
But in the case of English application, the Japanese translation of projectsubject at Page 1 should be added. The contact person who is able tocommunicate in Japanese both orally and in writing must be named.
Please have the head of the department to which you belong sign in the designated③ How can I obtain the authorization from my affiliation abroad?

space on Page 1.
④ What should I do if an amendment is needed after sending anApplication?

After sending an Application, An Applicant can amend the Application until thedeadline. However, please contact Foundation immediately by email or phone(Note), because Foundation needs to release the locked system.
After the deadline, an Applicant cannot amend. The original data of Application
may be considered at the selection committee without amendment.

⑤ What should I do if I need to withdraw my application.

Please contact Foundation immediately by email or phone (Note).

⑥ What should I do if I am transferred to another organization after

Please contact Foundation immediately by email or phone (Note).

submission of the application?
Major Academic Achievement would be published articles, books, awards, grants,⑦ What does “Major Academic Achievement of Applicant” stand for?

etc.
⑧ Can I use my common name (or maiden name) instead of real name on
the application?

Yes.
You can also write both your real name and common name together. In this case,please write basically as in “Real Name (Common Name or Maiden Name)”. If
you prefer any different way, please consult Foundation beforehand. Please notethe grantee’s name will be disclosed as is described in the application.

Note: E-mail: Basic Science Research Grant Program basic.science@sumitomo.or.jp
Environment Research Grant Program: environment@sumitomo.or.jp
Phone: Both 03-5473-0161

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Question

Answer６ Others
Basic Science Research Grant and Environmental Research Grant (only for General① When can I receive the grant when adopted?

Research)-Grant Period 1 Year: The grant will be paid in lump-sum basically.
Payment: in November or later-Grant Period 2 Years: The grant will be paid in two installments basically.
1st Payment: in November or later 2nd Payment: in September or later
Environmental Research Grant (only for Special Research)-Grant Period 2 Years: The grant will be paid in two installments basically.
1st Payment: in November or later 2nd Payment: in September or later-Grant Period 3 Years: The grant will be paid in three installments basically.
1st Payment: in November or later 2nd & 3rd Payment: in September or later
The payment will be made according to your instruction either at your newly② How can I receive the grant fund?

opened personal bank account (under the joint name of “the Sumitomo
Foundation’s grant account”) or the bank account designated by your affiliation.
No.

③ Is the grant fund distributed to collaborators?

Foundation will not distribute the fund to collaborators.
④ Does the output or the intellectual property right from the research
project belong to the Foundation?
⑤ Can I extend the grant period?

No.
Outcome from the research project does not belong to Foundation.
Yes, if necessary during the grant period, it can be extended as below.
Basic Science Research Grant and Environmental Research Grant (onlyfor General Research)
The initial grant period is 1 year or 2 years, extendible to a total of 3 years together
with the initial period.
Environmental Research Grant (only for Special Research)
The initial grant period is 2 year or 3 years, extendible to a total of 4 years together
with the initial period.
Provided that if there is an interruption of research due to maternity leave or childcare leave, the extension will be allowed separately from the above.

5 / 6Furthermore, if there is any specific reason such as natural disaster and infection
spread, further extension could be considered individually.
⑥ What should I do if I would like to suspend my research project due tomaternity or parental leave?

Please contact Foundation beforehand mentioning the period of suspension. Apartfrom the stipulation of the grant extension above, the grant period may be extended
taking the required period of suspension into account.

⑦ Can I make an inquiry to Foundation in English?

No.
We are afraid that inquiries in English will not be handled. Please make inquiries inJapanese by yourself or the alternative contact person.

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