Application Guidelines for the Global Collaborative Research Project FY2024
Brain Research Institute, Niigata University
Brain Research Institute at Niigata University has received certification as a Joint Usage/ResearchCenter from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
The Collaborative Research Center for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2028
BRI is pleased to announce an open call for new joint research projects aimed at elucidating thepathogenesis of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders and developing treatments for theseconditions. This initiative represents a concerted effort to harness BRI’s diverse research resources
and technological infrastructure. BRI welcomes proposals for advanced research projects in whichscientists from Japan and overseas will collaborate with BRI faculty.
I.

II.

Research Collaboration Categoriesi.

Neuropathological specimens of brain disease
Resources available at BRI include:
Provision, preservation, analysis and assessment on fixed samples of brain disease, onfrozen tissue of brain, and on brain genome resource.

ii.

Genome analysis on brain disease
Resources available at BRI include: Individual SNP analysis, DNA sequencing analysis, andexpression analysis on brain disease-associated gene.

iii.

Production and analysis on animal resources of brain disease
Resources available at BRI include:
Production of transgenic mouse models of brain disease with C57BL/6-strain embryonicstem cell, provision of brain disease inserted animal models (mice and rats), microbiologic
cleanings of mice and rats, cryopreservation of embryos and sperms, breeding of scarecross-fertilization animals, biochemical test, and behavior analysis.

iv.

Translational research focused on the development of non-invasive imaging analysis
technique
Resources available at BRI include: Technical development of non-invasive imaging
diagnostics on neurological disease and of imaging processing, and collaboration oftranslational research on developing treatment.

v.

Open research utilizing BRI resources

Available BRI Facility, Equipment and Resource
Brain disease specimen resource, Electron microscope system, Information analysis laboratory
in neuropathology, Non-invasive brain function analyzer, Gene testing facility, Gene analyzer,
Biological sample preservatory, Genomic data, Animal experiment facility, Recombinant DNA
laboratory, Incubation room, Special animal experiment laboratory / Embryo culture
laboratory, Gene expression profiling in the brain with schizophrenia

III. Applicant Eligibility
Researchers affiliated with universities or public research institutes worldwide are eligible toapply. BRI may consider applications from equivalent researchers under specific circumstances.
IV. Project Dates
One year (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025)*The project period can be extended up to three years.
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Application Guidelines for the Global Collaborative Research Project FY2024
Brain Research Institute, Niigata UniversityV.

Application Procedure
1) An application and research proposal (Form1) along with a copy of the curriculum vitae of theprincipal investigator (PI) should be submitted to BRI. The forms are available for downloadfrom the BRI website (https://www.bri.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/joint/download/index.html).
2) Research studies involving the ethical code must conform to the ethical guidelines andregulations for genome, animal, and human researches at the relevant facilities.
3) When renewing the previous year’s project, a progress report (Form2) must be submitted fora period extension.
4) Prior to submitting an application, applicants should discuss their proposals including theresearch topic, visiting schedule, necessary costs, and requests, with their BRI collaborators.

VI. Closing Date for Applications
January 31, 2024 (Late application shall not be accepted.)
All forms and required documents should be submitted via email to noukyoudo@adm.niigatau.ac.jp.
*The application must be sent with the following subject line:“Application for the Global Collaborative Research Project FY2024”
VII. Selection Process
Applications are primarily sent to the BRI Global Research Board for screening, followed by theJoint Research Board for the final decision. We will inform each applicant of the decision in themiddle of March 2024.
VIII. Research Funding Restrictions
1) Travel expenses will be supported up to 500,000 JPY in accordance with Niigata University
Travel Expense Regulations. Funding is expected to cover the travel expenses for PI and coinvestigators from overseas institutes to BRI. Funding is also expected to cover the travel
expenses for BRI collaborator and co-investigators from BRI to the overseas partnership
institutes.
2) Visitors must submit a summary of their travel plan at least two months before the intended
visit via the following link ( https://forms.office.com/r/raxSst4auk ).
3) The reimbursement will normally be transferred to the designated account at a later date.
4) Applicants must request prior approval from their superiors for their travel to BRI.
IX. Requirement of Project Report
PI is required to submit a project report (Form3) by April 30, 2025. Subject to the PI’s agreement,
the submitted report will be published as part of an annual report and posted on the BRI
website. In cases where an agreement for public disclosure cannot be reached with PI, general
information of the project (the title and PI’s details [name, title and affiliation]) will be listed.
X.

Intellectual Property
Before filing patent application(s), intellectual property rights for inventions jointly developed byresearchers during the Global Collaborative Research will be addressed separately. This may
involve a joint application agreement that reflects the individual contributions of researchers andtheir respective institutes.

XI. Publications
1) Publications resulting from the research must include an acknowledgement of the Global
Collaborative Research Project of BRI. Please refer to the following example:“This work was supported by the Global Collaborative Research Project [Project Number] ofBrain Research Institute, Niigata University.”

2)

A PDF copy of the publication needs to be submitted to BRI.
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Application Guidelines for the Global Collaborative Research Project FY2024
Brain Research Institute, Niigata University

XII. Contacts
Administration Office, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University
1-757 Asahimachidori, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8585 Japan
Phone: +81 (0)25-227-0565 Fax: +81 (0)25-227-0507
Email: noukyoudo@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp
Contact person as regards administrative and procedural inquiries:Azusa Yamada
Phone: +81 (0)25-227-0388
Email: a.yamada@adm.niigata-u.ac.jp

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