Outline of JSPS Core-to-Core Program, FY2025
I.

Program Objective
The Core-to-Core Program comprises two components: A. Advanced Research Networks
and B. Asia-Africa Science Platforms. The program is designed to create world-classresearch hubs in research fields considered to be cutting-edge and internationally importantin Japan or to create high-potential research hubs in fields of special importance orsignificance to Asia and/or Africa and of high priority in Japan. These multilateral hubs arebuilt and operated through sustainable collaborative relations established among
research/education institutions in Japan and countries around the world. While advancing
research in these fields and building core research and education hubs, the Core-to-Core
Program also concentrates on fostering the next generations of trailblazing young
researchers.
Core institutions in Japan and in its counterpart countries conduct collaborative researchexchanges. They take the form of joint research projects, seminars, and researcher
exchanges, which are organized and carried out effectively under the program. Core
institutions are expected to continue operating as research hubs after funding under thisprogram has ended.

II.

Types of Programs
A. Advanced Research Networks
B. Asia-Africa Science Platforms

III. Applicant Eligibility(1) Japanese universities and research institutions eligible to apply for this program as a core
institution are those specified in Article 2 of the Rules for the Handling of Grants-in-Aid for
Scientific Research (Kakenhi), issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology (MEXT). To qualify, institutions or their departments mustpossess sufficient research funding, equipment/facilities and human resources, and be
capable of establishing an organizational structure for implementing the overall research
project as a core institution.
* Institutions specified as eligible in the Rules for the Handling of Grants-in-Aid for
Scientific Research:
1) Universities and inter-university research institutes2) MEXT facilities and other institutions engaged in scientific research3) Technical colleges
4) Institutions designated by MEXT

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(2) Core institutions play a leading role in conducting collaborative research exchanges
under this program. Each must have one project coordinator. S/he must be a full-time
researcher or a researcher positioned as full time at the core institution. However, aresearcher who is not employed full-time may qualify as a coordinator if his/her affiliatedinstitution guarantees the implementation of the core-to-core project including theprovision of an appropriate research environment (e.g. laboratory, equipment, personnel).
In any case, the coordinator must be eligible to receive Grants-in-Aid for Scientific
Research (Kakenhi). As the coordinator plays a vital role in carrying out the project plan,
care should be taken not to appoint a person to the position who might loss his/her
coordinator eligibility or otherwise be unable to perform the coordinator’s duties during thefull period of the project’s implementation.
IV. Period for Application Acceptance
Tuesday, 3 September to Tuesday, 1 October 2024, 5:00 p.m.
(Please note that applicants’ affiliated institutions may set earlier deadlines.)V.

Details of Type A. Advanced Research Networks
1. Targeted Research Fields
Research topics considered to be cutting-edge and internationally important in Japan. (Allfields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.)
2. Eligible Countries
At least two or more countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan. (JSPS treats
Taiwan and Palestine in this manner.）
3. Application and Selection Process
1) JSPS issues a call for proposals to Japanese universities/research institutions.
2) Those universities/research institutions interested in conducting multilateralcollaborations via joint research projects, seminars and researcher exchanges with
universities/research institutions in other countries (“counterpart core institutions”)
consult with each other and develop plans for collaboration under this program.
3) All the counterpart core institutions secure the necessary funding to implement the
project throughout the project period. If counterpart core institutions are able to obtainfunding under any system in an amount needed to share the cost of the collaborative
research, based on either cost-sharing pattern 1 or 2 in Appendix 1, JSPS considers
them eligible to participate in this program.
4) Japanese universities/research institutions submit applications to JSPS after their

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counterpart core institutions confirm that they have either acquired funding, been
selected for funding, or promised such funding. (An application may be submitted
while a counterpart’s funding request is being processed. If the funding is not obtained,
the application will be cancelled.)
5) JSPS reviews proposals received and selects projects.
Application and Selection Process

4. Project Period
From April 2025 through March 2030 (under the FY2025 call)
5. Project Funding(1) JSPS provides Japanese core institutions with the following funding:
Up to ¥18 million per fiscal year(2) JSPS covers the following expenses of the Japanese core institutions:i. International travel expenses
ii. Domestic travel expenses
iii. Cost of goods
iv. Honorariums/personnel cost*

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* Personnel costs are limited to short-term employment expenses associated withtemporary work. Continuous employment expenses are not covered.
v. Others
6. Number of Projects Slated to Start in FY 2025
About 9 projects
7. Screening Criteria Used in JSPS Reviews
Applications are screened from the following perspectives.
① Scientific/academic merit- Degree to which the proposed project is recognized as being cutting-edge and uniquein the subject research field.
- Whether there is a clear need and value to implement the project with the proposed
counterpart institutions.
- Degree to which the collaboration between the core institutions in Japan and thecounterpart countries can be expected to yield results of sufficiently high academic
value to contribute to the establishment of a world-class research hub.
- Degree to which the project will build upon and expand the core institutions’ pastinternational research activities and accomplishments.
② Fostering young researchers- Whether the project includes a program for honing the skills and expertise of young
researchers.
③ Creating an implementation framework on the Japan side
- On the Japan side, plans to build a world-class research hub should be strategicallyplaced within the core institution’s overall education and research program.
- The Japanese core institution should have in place on an institutional level a systemfor ensuring the ongoing implementation of the proposed project.
- The project should be capable of enlisting the participation of an adequate number of
researchers in Japan who are qualified to build a world-class research hub. It should
also have an effective scheme for mobilizing cooperation from researchers of different
institutions in Japan.
- The Japanese core institution should be capable of continuing its operation as aworld-class research hub after funding under this program has ended.
- A system should be established for accommodating gender balance in the project or aplan established for achieving it.
④ Network building between core institutions- The match-up of core institutions should hold good promise for sustained researchcollaboration.

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- A clear-cut framework for implementing the project, such as a signed cooperative
agreement, should be established between the core institutions.
- The project should be expected to contribute to the continuous development ofmultilateral collaborations between the core institutions in the future.
- Counterpart core institutions must, on an institutional level, have one coordinator andan adequate number of researchers in place to ensure the continuous implementationof the proposed collaborative research exchange. The participation of an adequate
number of researchers is an essential qualification.
⑤ Appropriateness of collaborative research plan
- The project should have a clear vision of how to build a world-class research hub inthe subject field in Japan.
- Whether advanced consultation has clearly been carried out between the participating
coordinators and institutions, and whether the plan for research collaboration is
sufficiently concrete to achieve the program objectives and is highly attainable.
- Whether the degree of collaboration laid out in the plan is practicable in terms of its
fiscal and operational scope.
- Whether pertinent information has been obtained on the counterpart countries’
prospects to secure matching funds.
In selecting projects, an attempt is made to strike a balance among counterpart countries,
fields and institutions.
8. Evaluation of Selected Projects
In principle, JSPS’s International Program Committee carries out an interim evaluation ofprojects at their 3-year juncture and also conducts a post-project evaluation. Japanesecore institutions should provide all the information requested by JSPS to perform theseevaluations, including on the degree of equivalence achieved in cost-sharing. The amountof funding allocated for the fiscal years after the interim evaluation will be based on the
results.

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VI. Details of Type B. Asia-Africa Science Platforms
1. Targeted Research Fields
Research topics of special importance or significance to Asia and/or African andconsidered to be of high priority within Japan (All fields of the humanities, social sciences
and natural sciences.)
2. Eligible Countries
At least two Asian and/or African countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan(JSPS treats Taiwan and Palestine in this manner.). However, Type B Asia-Africa Science
Platforms does not support multilateral projects that comprise only researchers frominstitutions in China, Korea, Singapore or Taiwan as they are expected to obtain sufficientfunding. (For collaboration with these countries only, please apply under "A. Advanced
Research Networks.")
3. Application and Selection Process
1) JSPS issues a call for proposals to Japanese universities/research institutions.
2) Those universities/research institutions interested in conducting multilateralcollaborations via joint research projects, seminars and researcher exchanges with
universities/research institutions in other countries (“counterpart core institutions”)
consult with each other and develop plans for collaboration under this program.
3)※ All the counterpart core institutions secure the necessary funding to implement the
project throughout the project period. If counterpart core institutions are able to obtainfunding under any system in an amount needed to share the cost of the collaborative
research, based on either cost-sharing pattern 1 or 2 in Appendix 1, JSPS considers
them eligible to participate in this program.
4)※ Japanese universities/research institutions submit applications to JSPS after thecounterpart core institutions confirm that they have either acquired funding, been
selected for funding, or promised such funding. (An application may be submitted
while a counterpart’s funding request is being processed. If the funding is not obtained,
the application will be cancelled.)※ The above 3) and of 4) processes are necessary only for institutions in China,

Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.
5) JSPS reviews proposals received and selects projects.

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Application and Selection Process

4. Project Period
From April 2025 through March 2028 (under the FY2025 call)
5. Project Funding(1) JSPS provides Japanese core institutions with the following funding:
Up to ¥8 million per fiscal year(2) JSPS covers the following expenses of the Japanese core institutions:i. International travel expenses
ii. Domestic travel expenses
iii. Cost of goods
iv. Honorariums/personnel cost
* Personnel costs are limited to short-term employment expenses associated withtemporary work. Continuous employment expenses are not covered.
v. Others
6. Number of Projects Slated to Start in FY 2025
About 10 projects

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7. Screening Criteria Used in JSPS Reviews
Applications are screened from the following perspectives.
① Scientific/academic merit- Degree to which the proposed project is recognized as being of common interest andspecial importance to the Asian and African regions and whether it is scientificallymeaningful for Japan to conduct priority research in the subject field.
- Whether there is a clear need and value for the Japanese core institution to take thelead in carrying out the research collaboration with counterpart institutions in Asia
and/or Africa.
- Degree to which the collaboration between the core institution in Japan and thecounterpart countries can be expected to yield results of sufficiently high academic
value.
- Degree to which the project will build upon and expand the core institutions’ pastinternational research activities and accomplishments.
② Fostering young researchers- Whether the project includes a program for honing the skills and expertise of young
researchers.
③ Creating an implementation framework on the Japan side
- On the Japan side, plans to build a core research hub should be strategically placed
within the core institution’s overall education and research program.
- The Japanese core institution should have in place on an institutional level a systemfor ensuring the ongoing implementation of the proposed project.
- The project should be capable of enlisting the participation of an adequate number of
researchers in Japan who are qualified to build a core research hub. It should also
have an effective scheme for mobilizing cooperation from researchers of different
institutions in Japan.
- The Japanese core institutions should be capable of continuing its operation as a coreresearch hub after funding under this program has ended.
- A system should be established for accommodating gender balance in the project or aplan established for achieving it.
④ Network building between core institution- The match-up of core institutions should hold good promise for sustained researchcollaboration.
- A clear-cut framework for implementing the project, such as a signed cooperative
agreement, should be established between the core institutions.
- As a core research hub in the subject field, the project should be expected tocontribute to the continuous development of multilateral collaboration between thecore institutions in the future.

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- Counterpart core institutions must, on an institutional level, have one coordinator andan adequate number of researchers in place to ensure the continuous implementationof the proposed collaborative research exchange. The participation of an adequate
number of researchers is an essential qualification.
⑤ Appropriateness of collaborative research plan
- Whether advanced consultation has been clearly carried out between the participating
coordinators and research institutions, and whether the plan for researchcollaborations is sufficiently concrete to achieve the program objectives and is highlyattainable.
- Whether the degree of collaborations laid out in the plan is practicable in terms of its
fiscal and operational scope.
In selecting projects, an attempt is made to strike a balance among counterpart countries,
fields and institutions.
VII.

Application Instructions(1) Researchers who are eligible to participate in this program are as follows:① Researchers employed at a university or research institute (In the case of Japan,
researchers eligible to apply for MEXT Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research)② Postdoctoral researchers at universities or research institutes③ Researchers enrolled in a postgraduate course, either master’s or doctoral(2) One core institution may be established in each counterpart country. Other institutions ineach counterpart country will be registered as cooperating institutions.
(3) Funding provided under this program is for implementing projects between Japan andcounterpart countries. It is not for supporting travel by Japanese researchers to a
counterpart country for conducting fieldwork or surveys carried out only by themselves.
(4) A moderate number of researchers from other countries may participate in projects as
collaborating researchers. Regarding the covering of their costs, Japanese institutions
should refer to pertinent regulations.
(5) Under JSPS’s international programs, researchers who are already representing a projectin one of JSPS’s program categories are not eligible to concurrently represent a project inanother category with some exceptions. (Such researchers are those responsible for
implementing an already-selected project as its research representative, coordinator,
chief seminar organizer or person in similar capacity. However, the heads of institutions
and/or departments who represent the implementing organization are exempted.) For
information on the approval of projects overlapping program categories, see Appendix 2“Table, Overlapping Program Restrictions.” However, no restriction is placed on duplicate
application or duplicate grant receipt between the Core-to-Core Program and Grants-in-

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Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) program. Once an application is submitted, theproject’s representative may not be changed. A person may not assume the role ofcoordinator in projects under both Type A (Advanced Research Networks) and Type B(Asia-Africa Science Platforms) at the same time.
(6) Japanese coordinators who are now or have been supported under any of JSPS’s
international programs are required to state their correlations (if any) with the Core-toCore program for which they are applying.
(7) If the applying institution is receiving or is scheduled to receive funding from anotherfunding program* that is relevant to the proposed project, it must state so and clearly
describe the relationship of that funding to the project. Projects that are already receiving
funding from another funding program will not be supported in duplicated areas.
* Here, a "funding program" is a program for supporting an organization.
(8) Your application form will be printed out in black and white (gray scale) and mailed toreviewers. Please be careful so that the contents you create can be clearly seen whenprinted out.
VIII. Obligation of Japanese Core Institutions
Core institutions are to establish a website and proactively post information about the projectboth during and after the funding period. Though JSPS does not participate in negotiations
over rights to results yielded through the project’s implementation, core institutions are toacknowledge JSPS’s support by mentioning the “JSPS Core-to-Core Program” whenannouncing the results.
IX. Measures Against Misuse of Research Funds and Handling of Personal Information,etc.
(1) JSPS will take appropriate measures (e.g. terminate project, require reimbursement of partor all of allocated funds) in cases of misuse of research funds, improper practices (e.g.
fabrication, falsification, plagiarism), unjustifiable acts (e.g. discrimination, harassment), or
violation of laws.
(2) Researchers participating in research activities under this program are obligated tocomplete before the activity starts a research ethics education course so as to prevent
research misconduct.
(3) The names and affiliations of the coordinators, project titles, budgets, implementation
periods, reports and the evaluation results may be disclosed on JSPS’s website and in its
publications.

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(4) Personal information provided by applicants will be handled according to the “Act on theProtection of Personal Information” and JSPS’s “Personal Information Protection Policy,”and be used solely for the purpose of implementing JSPS programs.
(5) When a member of project is a resident of a country belonging to the European
Economic Area, including countries in the European Union and/or the UK, his/her
consent to process personal data in the manner described above should be acquired inline with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 “General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)”
and the “United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).” For more
information on the GDPR, please go to the website: https://www.ppc.go.jp/en/index.html
X.

Others(1) JSPS does not bear responsibility for any accident, sickness or other such incident that
may occur over the period of the project’s implementation.
(2) JSPS may discontinue support for a project if carrying it out becomes difficult or
impossible due to a natural disaster or other unforeseen circumstances during theimplementation period.
(3) As to the ownership of rights for research results obtained under the JSPS Core-to-Core
Program, they are to be determined by the core institutions based on pertinent laws andregulations in Japan and the counterpart countries. JSPS does not intercede in thisprocess. The core institutions are asked to decide in advance the rules pertaining to theownership of intellectual property rights.
(4) Along with the development of information communication technology (ICT) over recent
years, scientific journals are using the Internet to provide free access to research
papers. This “open access” trend is proliferating rapidly across the globe. Many publicgrant institutions are either promoting or requiring open access for the results of research
projects they fund. Researchers who author papers under the Core-to-Core Program
are, within the degree possible, asked to proactively give open access to their publishedpapers.

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Appendix 1

Cost-sharing between Japan and counterpart countries
A. Advanced Research Networks
The patterns shown here in Type A (Advanced Research Networks) are applied to Type B(Asia-Africa Science Platforms) in the cases of cost-sharing with institutions in China, Korea,
Singapore and Taiwan.
Pattern 1
Courtiers

Coverable by
JSPS※ Counterpart
Countries

International airfare✓X

Maintenance allowance in✓X

Travel cost in Japan✓X

Research grant✓

X

Counterpart-side

International airfareX✓

researchers

Maintenance allowance in JapanX✓

Travel cost in home country

X✓

Research grant

X✓

Cost for holding seminars in Japan✓X

Cost for holding seminars in counterpart country

X✓

Research facilities costs at core institution

X

X

Cost Items
Japan-side researcherscounterpart country※ For sharing costs during the project period, core institutions are to obtain “matching funds”
from science-promotion agencies, core institution’s own resource, regular budgets (etc.), andother funding organizations in their respective countries. For this purpose, it is desirable touse a funding scheme similar to that of the Core-to-Core Program, which supports researchexchanges. However, if it should not be possible for a core institution to obtain such financial
support from a funding agency or external funding source, part of its own research funds may
be allocated to the research exchange as “matching funds. ”

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Pattern 2
Countries

Coverable by
JSPS※ Counterpart
Countries

International airfare✓X

Maintenance allowance inX✓

Travel cost in Japan✓X

Research grant✓

X

Counterpart-side

International airfareX✓

researchers

Maintenance allowance in Japan✓X

Travel cost in home country

X✓

Research grant

X✓

Cost for holding seminars in Japan✓X

Cost for holding seminars in counterpart country

X✓

Research facilities costs at core institution

X

X

Cost Items
Japan-side researcherscounterpart country※ For sharing costs during the project period, core institutions are to obtain “matching funds”
from science-promotion agencies, core institution’s own resource, regular budgets (etc.), andother funding organizations in their respective countries. For this purpose, it is desirable to use
a funding scheme similar to that of the Core-to-Core Program, which supports researchexchanges. However, if it should not be possible for a core institution to obtain such financial
support from a funding agency or external funding source, part of its own research funds may
be allocated to the research exchange as “matching funds. ”

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B. Asia-Africa Science Platforms
Cost-sharing with institutions in China, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan follow the patterns shownin Type A (Advanced Research Networks) on pages 12-13.

Cost Items

Coverable by JSPS

Japan-side researchers
International airfare✓

Maintenance allowance in counterpart country✓

Travel cost in Japan✓

Research grant✓

Other-side researchers
International airfare✓

Maintenance allowance in Japan✓

Travel cost in home country

X

Research grant✓

Cost for holding seminars in Japan✓

Cost for holding seminars in counterpart country✓

Research facilities costs at core institution

X

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Types of participating researchers
Types of Japan-side
participating
researchers

Types ofparticipating
researchers on the
counterpart countrysideWithin Japan

Researchers affiliated with the core institution
Researchers affiliated with cooperating institutions
Collaborating researchers

Other
countries

Researchers from outside the country approved by the Japanside (called “Japan-side collaborating researchers”).

Within the
counterpart
country A

Researchers affiliated with the core institution

Other
countries

Researchers from outside the country approved by thecounterpart country side (called “Counterpart country-side
collaborating researchers”).

Within the
counterpart
country B

Researchers affiliated with the core institution

Other
countries

Researchers from outside the country approved by thecounterpart country side (called “Counterpart country-side
collaborating researchers”).

Researchers affiliated with cooperating institutions
Collaborating researchers within the counterpart country

Researchers affiliated with cooperating institutions
Collaborating researchers within the counterpart country

Japan-side participating researchers

Participating researchers on the counterpart
country side

Core institution

Core institution

Cooperating

Cooperating

Cooperating

Cooperating

institution

institution

institution

institution

Collaborating researchers

Collaborating researchers

Researchers affiliated with universities and research institutions in Japan
Researchers affiliated with universities and research institutions in the counterpart country
Researchers affiliated with universities and research institutions in countries outside Japanand the counterpart country

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Appendix 2
Overlapping Program Restrictions
This table shows the overlapping restrictions on the following two categories of applicants.
1. A researcher who applies for a project under Program A as a representative of a new project
while concurrently applying for an international scientific exchange project under Program B.
2. A researcher who already has been working as the representative of a project under Program
A while concurrently applying for an international scientific exchange project under ProgramB.

①
Bilateral
Programs（JointResearch
Projects/
Seminars）②
Internation
al Joint
Research
Program③
JapaneseGerman
Graduate
Externship④
JSPS Coreto-Core
Program

New
Proposal

New
Proposal

New
Proposal

New
Proposal

New
Proposal

New
Proposal

△

○

○

○

○

Continued

△

○

○

○

○

New
Proposal

○

―

▲

▲

▲

Continued

○

―

×

×

×

New
Proposal

○

▲

―

▲

▲

Continued

○

×

―

×

×

New
Proposal

○

▲

▲

―

▲

Continued

○

×

×

―

×

New
Proposal

○

▲

▲

▲

―

Continued

○

×

×

×

―

Program B⑤
A3
Foresight
Program

Program A①Bilateral Programs（Joint Research Projects/Seminars）②International Joint Research Program③Japanese-German Graduate
Externship④JSPS Core-to-Core Program⑤A3 Foresight Program

Notes○: The researcher may be the representative of two projects in overlapping programs.

△: The researcher may apply for both programs but may not be the representative of two projects inoverlapping programs if they are with the same counterpart country. (S/he must choose one of theoverlapping programs.)

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▲: The researcher may apply for both programs but may not be the representative of two projects inoverlapping programs. (S/he must choose one of the overlapping programs.)
×: The researcher may not apply for the projects under Program B. Note that an application made in thelast fiscal year of the project duration under Program A is acceptable.
― : In principle, the researcher may apply with one research topic under the same program. (S/he must
work on a research topic proposed for a project under Program A when selected for a project under
Program A.)

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