SciREX Summer Camp 2024 Application Guidelines
June 2024
SciREX Summer Camp 2024 Planning Team
SciREX Center of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)

1. Outline

The Science for RE-designing Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciREX) program was laidout in 2011, with its HUB at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and Core
Centers at the University of Tokyo, Hitotsubashi University, Osaka/Kyoto Universities, and Kyushu
University. The main purpose of SciREX is to set the stage for the development of highly talented
human resources that can contribute to policy-making in Japan. Since its inception, the program haspromoted world class research and training. It provides training in evidence-based policymaking forthe individuals who will: lead new research areas in the Science for the Science, Technology andInnovation (STI) Policy; connect this science to policy and research; and promote basic research inrelevant fields.
One of the program’s key activities is our annual Summer Camp, where faculty members andstudents from different universities gather to share the results of each university’s exercises throughSciREX programs, discuss the topic of the year, present the results of their discussions, and exchange
information across a variety of academic fields. This chance will enable you to experience theprocess in which stakeholders try to make STI policies, setting on concrete problems. In 2024,
Summer Camp will be held IN PERSON, as detailed below.

September 13 (Fri)—15 (Sun), 2024

1.DatePre-training session (day 1) and several pre-groupmeetings will be conducted online during August.
2.Venue

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies(GRIPS) Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Free*
3.Fee
*For the students of SciREX Core Centers, travel
expenses will be covered by the program budget.
1For details, please ask the relevant office in youruniversity or institution.
*For participants from other universities orinstitutions, there is NO budget support for thetrip provided by the program budget.
Please arrange your own accommodation ifnecessary.
Japanese or English*
Guidance / final presentations
Simultaneous interpretation between Japaneseand English will be provided.
Group Work
There will be Japanese language groups andEnglish language groups to discuss the topics.
They will be divided in each.
*Applicants shall specify in their applications
whether or not they are able to join discussions
in English. That information will be used forcomposing the groups.

4.Languages

Students from SciREX Core Centers, Undergrads(3rd and 4th year) and graduate students whoare interested in STI Policy formulation are
welcome to apply for this event. In the selectionof participants, preference will be given tostudents who are enrolled in programs at SciREXCore Centers.

5.Participants

SciREX Office
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology（MEXT）
SciREX Core Centers, SciREX Center

6.Organizers

SciREX Summer Camp 2024 Planning TeamGRIPS SciREX Center

7.Planning and Management22. 2024 Summer Camp Main Topic
How do we live towards a creative future?
- STI, Policy and Entrepreneurship Today's world is facing many challenges, notably the worsening global warming that has begun to becalled global boiling; conflicts between hegemonic and democratic states; and sharpening divisions
within the societies of states. In Japan, unpredictable events such as earthquakes and weather
disasters often strike, and the shrinking of populations present society with many challenges. That’s
the society in which we have to live.
As a result of science and technology advances, innovation has contributed to our health andprosperity. In addition, the role of science and technology is increasingly crucial in responding tovarious problems. As for responses to global warming, there are high expectations of green
innovation, including the use of renewable energy. Also, developments in advanced science andtechnology such as AI and quantum technology bring society new possibilities, while at the sametime new, never imagined challenges continue to arise.
On the other hand, the situation is changing rapidly and there are a lot of issues, so policy will surely
play a major role in the work to mitigate negative impacts as well. Needless to say, planning andimplementation of enhanced policies will strongly influence our chances of a prosperous andpeaceful future. What is required here is to share our visions of how we might live towards an ideal
future; design evidence-based policies to that end; and put those policies into practice.
At such times, some abilities are needed for unlocking the future, and entrepreneurship mind is
expected to become one of key means of fostering them. As for mindset, trial and error and criticalthinking are essential, as are ways of thinking that are similar to scientific thinking (the affinity
between entrepreneur mindset and scientific way of thinking).
From the background above, at the SciREX summer camp, participants explore complex social/global
issues with entrepreneur mindset and consider design policies from the perspective of diversity. Ingroup work sessions, participants from diverse backgrounds will work together to find solutions andmake concrete proposals to policymakers and stakeholders.
(Aims)
・ SciREX Core Center faculty, students and related government officials shall gather to learn about
the meaning and diverse interpretations of “Science for Science Policy.”
・Discussion groups will provide opportunities for network building.
・ Participants from a variety of backgrounds shall experience the process of solving various issues
surrounding STI and society through the formulation of policy proposals.
Discussion topics● The Role and Contribution of Academia: Research and Education
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A1 Innovation ecosystem (academia and industry collaboration and social implementation) andskilled human resources
A2 Entrepreneurship and STEAM education
A3 EBPM and data analyses in STI policy● Social reform and the SDGs
B1 Big project policy to promote R&D and social implementation (Ex. BRIDGE, SIP, Moonshot)
B2 Smart City Project: a solution for sustainable development● Healthcare and Well-being
C1 Social inclusion of elderly and the people with disabilities
C2 Medical science and intellectual property (e.g., drug discoveries, vaccines, medical equipment)● Geopolitics (international relations)
D1 Supply chain diversity to address geopolitical risks
D2 International comparison of energy policies & next-generation energy● AI and Future Industry
E1 Enabling anyone who wants to start a business regardless of cost
E2 Co-existence between AI and creators
Please indicate your preferred discussion topics, giving first, second and third choices.
As for making groups, we will consider your interests and the thoughts you provide in theapplication form. You could fine-tune the topic title accordingly in the process of group activity.
Please note that we may not always be able to accommodate applicant’s requests.
Personal information including e-mail addresses, will be used for the following purposes from thetime of your application until the end of the event.
- To enable SciREX Center to provide you with information about the event- To enable us to create a Slack Workspace for the event

3. Timetable (tentative)
AMPM
12:15 Reception
13:00-13:50 Opening /guidance
14:00-16:50 Group work1
17:00-18:00 Reception
13:00-13:50 Exchange among groups
14:00-15:20 Group work3
15:30-16:30 Consulting session*
16:40-18:00 Group work4

Day 1
Fri 13 September
Day 2

9:00-12:10 Group work2
12:10-13:00 Lunch breakSat 14September
Day 3
Sun 15September

9:00Group work5
11:00-12:10 Presentation/Q&A
12:10-13:00 Lunch break

13:00-16:30 Presentation/Q&A16:30 Closing*We are planning to hold some online sessions for beginners, and meetings in each group before
4the event.
* In consultant session, you can directly ask professionals, policymakers and stakeholders(ministries, private consultant companies, thinktanks) for useful information about policy-making.
* Simultaneously, you can listen to circumstances about STI policy in other countries by participantsfrom other countries.

6. OtherIn this event, the staff members may take photos to post on SNS, and HPs, and to include inbrochures for public relations purposes. In addition, this event may be covered by the press. Please
inform the secretariat if you prefer not to be photographed.

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