Outline of the Call for Proposals on
the OPEN MIX LAB (OML) Program for
FY 2024

September 2023
National Institutes of Natural Sciences

Table of Contents
1. Purpose of the Program・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・1
2. Overview of the Open Recruitment・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・2
3. Application Method and Application Period・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 3
4. Amount Applied・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・3
5. Research Period・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 4
6. Research Implementation Structure・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 4
7. Expenses・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・6
8．Screening, Etc. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

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9. Research Outcome and Reporting・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・9
10．Statement of the Program at the Workshop ・・・・・・・・・・ ・・ 9
11．Others・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 9

1． Purpose of the Program
The Open Mix Lab (OML) is a research platform managed and operated by the National
Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS). OML will reorganize the various open
recruitment programs that NINS has conducted so far, and promote innovative
research activities, assuming the participation of various experts not only fromacademia but also from industry.
At OML, shared research facilities and equipment held by NINS will be provided.
In addition, research funding is provided through open recruitment research
programs to form OML projects. OML projects are classified into the following
multiple types according to the purpose and progress of activities.
① OML Project (research co-creation type)② OML Project (young researcher support type)③ OML Project (theme setting type)④ OML Project (research start-up support type)⑤ OML Project (industry-academia collaboration researcher support type)
OML projects promote the application of research methods, research equipment
and facilities to new fields, and promote innovative research activities throughresearch exchanges and inter-organizational collaboration. They are expected tofurther develop conventional research and propose and promote new research themesby combining existing knowledge and technologies and applying them to different
fields.
Participants in OML projects can communicate across disciplines and research
themes, generate new ideas, and conduct joint research. They will be provided
with a forum for exchange where they can produce better research results bypresenting their research results and receiving feedback from each other.

12. Overview of the Open Recruitment
In this call for proposals, we will call for applications for ① to ④.
① OML Project(research cocreation type)② OML Project(young researcher
support type)③ OML Project (theme
setting type)④ OML Project(research
start-up support
type)

Content

A project to support

A project to support

A project to support

A project to support

innovative researchinnovative researchinnovative researchstart-up research,through inter-through inter-

related to themes set

workshops, andorganizationalorganizational

by NINS, in which

preliminary researchcollaboration carriedcollaboration between

researchers affiliatedfor researchersout by researchers

NINS young

with domestic researchaffiliated withaffiliated withresearchers andinstitutes, including

domestic researchdomestic researchresearchers

NINS, private

institutes,

institutes, including

affiliated withcompanies, etc.,

including NINS, to

NINS, in cooperation

domestic researchcooperate with NINS

cooperate with NINS

with NINS employees

institutes.

employees while

employees and launchutilizing cross-innovative researchappointments, etc. andthrough inter-promoting exchanges byorganizational

establishing a placecollaboration

for practical joint
research at NINS
See below for FY 20242025 themes (*)
Researchers affiliatedApplication
Qualification with domestic
universities and publicresearch institutes(Those affiliated withoverseas
universities/institutes
are not eligible)

NINS young

Researchers affiliatedResearchers

researchers under 40

with domestic

affiliated withyears old

universities, publicdomestic

research institutes,

universities andprivate companies,

public researchetc.

institutes(Those affiliated with(Those affiliatedoverseaswith overseas

universities/instituti

universities/institu

ons are not eligible)

tes are noteligible)AmountAppliedWithin five (5) million
yen per year

Within five (5)million yen per year2

Within ten (10) million
yen per year

Within one (1)million yen per year

Research
PeriodUp to three (3) years

Up to three (3) years

Two (2) years

Single year

Screening
MethodDocumentary screening
and screening interview

Documentary screening
and screening
interview

Documentary screening
and screening interview

Documentary screening

Number of
Cases
Scheduled to
be Accepted

Approximately 10 cases

Approximately 5 cases

Approximately 2 cases

Limited number*Theme 1: “Analysis technology development and application using light in all
wavelength regions”
We are looking for research proposals aimed at utilizing light in wavelength regionsthat have not been used much in the past.
Theme 2: "Basic research and development that contributes to GX (storage batteries,hydrogen, bio-manufacturing)"
Theme 3: “Basic and applied research using AI, machine learning, and mathematics”*The theme will be reviewed every year.
3. Application Method and Application Period
Applications must be submitted electronically.( https://www.nins.jp/nous/).
The application page will be posted on the above site at 10:00 on November 1,
2023.
The application period is from 10:00 on November 1 (Wednesday) to 17:00 on
November 30 (Thursday).
In applying, be sure to discuss the research theme, research plan, necessary
expenses, etc. with a professor, associate professor, or assistant professor
affiliated with NINS before submitting the application form.
For information on the research departments and researchers of NINS, pleaserefer to the website of each institute listed in "6. Research Implementation
Structure" or consult with the desk stated in "11. Others (7) Contact Information
and Consultation Desk ".
Additionally, since the screening will be conducted by judges outside thefield of the applied theme, try to write information that is easy tounderstand even for people outside the field.
4. Amount Applied① OML Project (research co-creation type)
Within five (5) million yen per year * Personnel costs are not included.
② OML Project (young researcher support type)
Within five (5) million yen per year * Personnel costs are not included.

3③ OML Project (theme setting type)
Within ten (10) million yen per year ** Can include personnel costs suchas cross-appointments.
**Personnel costs may only be included if it is a cross-appointment andthe effort ratio is less than 50%.
④ OML Project (research start-up support type)
Within one (1) million yen per year *** Personnel costs, equipment, andfixtures shall not be included.
5. Research Period① OML Project (research co-creation type)
Up to three (3) years from FY 2024. However, even if the application isfor multiple years, depending on the screening result, selection will bemade for a single year. In this case, the application for the following
year will not be blocked.
② OML Project (young researcher support type)
Up to three (3) years from FY 2024. However, even if the application isfor multiple years, depending on the screening result, selection will bemade for a single year. In this case, the application for the following
year will not be blocked.
③ OML Project (theme setting type)
Up to two (2) years from FY 2024. However, depending on the screening
result, there may be measures to adopt a single year. In this case, theapplication for the following year will not be blocked.
④ OML Project (research start-up support type)
One (1) year in FY 2024
6. Research Implementation Structure
If you intend to implement research from this program, be sure to include morethan one (1) NINS employee in the joint researchers.
Additionally, set one (1) person among , NINS employees up as the expenses
operating officer. Regarding this program, check the website of each institutefor more information, etc. about the research content or those implementing the4research of each institute in NINS or consult the desk stated in “11. Others(7) Contact Information and Consultation Desk”.
NINS
http://www.nins.jp/ or https://www.nins.jp/en/
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)
http://www.nao.ac.jp/ or https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/
National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS)
http://www.nifs.ac.jp/ or https://www.nifs.ac.jp/en/
National Institute for Basic Biology (NIBB)
http://www.nibb.ac.jp/ or https://www.nibb.ac.jp/en/
National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS)
http://www.nips.ac.jp/ or https://www.nips.ac.jp/eng/
Institute for Molecular Science (IMS)
https://www.ims.ac.jp/ or https://www.ims.ac.jp/en/
Astrobiology Center (ABC)
http://abc-nins.jp/ or https://www.abc-nins.jp/en/
Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (EXCELLS)
https://www.excells.orion.ac.jp/ or https://www.excells.orion.ac.jp/en5

7. Expenses
For expenses in this program, the expenses operating officer (NINS employee)
shall allocate the budget. In operating expenses, the expenses operating
officer will operate expenses. In addition, please follow the NINS rules, etc.
in the operation of expenses.
(1) Use of the Budget
The budget (for commodity, travel, honorarium, and other expenses such as
for printing and binding, communication and transport, for conferences,etc.) can be used for the implementation of this program. Regarding each
expense, please use the following for reference. In addition, if necessary,it may be received by the institute to which the applicant representative
and the joint researcher belong; provided however, that items that require
equipment management, etc. will be managed by NINS and will belong to NINS
at the end of this project.
①～③
・ Expenses for goods (facility and equipment expenses and supplies
expenses)
Expense for purchasing facilities, equipment, and supplies
・Travel expenses
Expenses for business trips and invitations within and outside Japan of
the principal applicant and joint research・ Honorarium, etc.
Expenses for paying honorarium, compensation, temp agency for those who
cooperate in the research (data organization, experiment assistance,translation and proofreading, provision of specialized knowledge andskills, etc.)
・Others
Except for the expenses above, expenses for implementing research(For example, communication expenses, transport expenses, meeting
expenses (except alcohol), printing expenses, binding expenses, etc.)6④・ Expenses for goods (supplies expenses)
Expenses for purchasing supplies (supplies expenses for holding
workshops, not research expenses)
・Travel Expenses
Expenses for business trips and invitations within and outside Japan of
the principal applicant and joint researcher・ Honorarium, etc.
Expenses for paying honorarium, compensation, temp agency for thosewho

cooperateintheresearch(data

organization,

experimentassistance, translation and proofreading, provision of specialized
knowledge and skills, etc.)
・Others
Except for the expenses above, expenses for implementing research(For example, communication expenses, transport expenses, meeting
expenses (except alcohol), printing expenses, binding expenses, etc.)
8. Screening, Etc.
The screening of this program will be decided by the NINS Research Cooperationand Liaison Committee based on documents and interviews as necessary. The
screening shall be closed to the public. (If accepted, some of the information
shall be disclosed.)(1) Screening
・Document screening
The document screening shall be conducted by the NINS Research Cooperationand Liaison Committee.
・Screening interview
Based on the results of the document screening, the NINS Research
Cooperation and Liaison Committee shall select the research theme to be
subjected to an interview as necessary and conduct the screening interview.
(2) Screening Schedule・Document screening
Scheduled around early February 2024
・Screening interview
Set on February 20 (Tuesday) and 21 (Wednesday)7Applicants will be notified of the topics to be covered in the screening
interview in early February.
・ Selection determination
Scheduled around March 2024
(3) Main Points of the Screening
In the screening in this program, screening shall be made in considerationof the following perspectives.
① Are the research objective and content novel and innovative based on
flexible ideas and innovative methods through inter-organizational
collaboration?
② Is the research outline concrete and is it highly feasible within thespecified time frame and expected to have ripple effects in the future?
Regarding the theme setting type, is the proposal in line with thetheme?
③ Can ripple effects be expected including the “creation of new fields
throughthe“collaboration

establishment
with

of

industry”

innovative
based

on

a

technology”
mediumor

andlong-term

perspective?
④ In light of the research objective and outline, are the researchexpenses reasonable?
(4) Announcement of the Screening Result
The acceptance or rejection based on the screening result will be announced inwriting. (Scheduled around March 2024

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9. Research Outcome and Reporting
An implementation report of the research theme shall be submitted by March
31, 2025 and you will be asked to participate in a performance debriefing
session for the entire program scheduled to be held around February to March2025.
If publishing the outcome of this program with a research paper, etc., theacknowledgment or funding for the research paper, etc. must state that theoutcome of the research is on the expense of the NINS OML Program.
※ Example:（和文）本研究は、大学共同利用機関法人自然科学研究機構OPEN MIX LAB事業（********）の助成を受けたものである。
(English) This research was supported by the grant of the NINS OPEN MIX LAB
Program (NINS Program No. _____).
The grant number is stated in the notice of acceptance.
10. Statement of the Program at the Workshop
Please be sure to clearly state that the workshop will be held with support
from

the

National

InstitutesofNaturalSciences

Interdisciplinary

Collaborative Research Project in the workshop notice, poster, etc. In addition,other than the above description, it is not necessary to state the host, cohost, co-sponsor, supporter, etc.
11. Others(1) MIRAI-DX
This program will also support the activities of research groups using
MIRAI-DX (see below). If the research started with the use of MIRAI-DX,
please put a check in the application form.
[MIRAI-DX] A “DX platform for URA collaboration” in which URAs
(including

occupations

similar

to

URA)

of

research

universities

participating in the Research University Consortium are registered. The
purpose is to generate joint research beyond the boundaries of fields andorganizations by exchanging information with URAs of other universities
using cross-sectional access to public information, etc. of registeredresearchers registered in various databases while the URAs support the
researchers.

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URAs from universities other than the Research University Consortium canalso participate (limited to URAs (including occupations similar to URA;
for details, please contact miraidx@nins.jp).
Reference:
MIRAI Project

https://www.ruconsortium.jp/site/mirai-project/(2) Items to be submitted
Applicants for this program are required to submit the following documents
after selection and before the start of research, depending on the content
of the research or experiment to be conducted. In addition, except as noted
below, you may be required to submit other necessary documents. In carryingout this program, if you wish to use facilities that are shared by NINS,
you may be required to carry out procedures after meeting with NINS employees.
① Written approval from the NINS president for engaging in this program(including joint researchers)② Proof of taking the research ethics education course③ Confirmation of taking out the Disaster and Accident Insurance for Student
Education and Research if there are graduate students among the cooperators④ Radiation work certification application form
Each joint use and research and joint use and experiment require
radiation worker registration after acceptance if radio isotopes are to
be used at NINS.
⑤ Submission of the recombinant DNA experiment design
Each joint use and research and joint use and experiment are supposed
to submit the experiment design from the associated division in NINS if
accompanied by recombinant DNA experiments.
⑥ Submission of the animal experiment design
Each joint use and research and joint use and experiment are supposed
to submit the experiment design if accompanied by animal experiments.
⑦ Human genome and gene analysis research
Each joint use and research and joint use and experiment require
screening after acceptance if human genome and gene analysis research
are to be used at NINS.
⑧ Research of physiological sciences targeted at humans and specimens
obtained from humans and other relevant fields
Each joint utilization and research and joint utilization and experiment10require preliminary approval of the ethics committee of the affiliatedinstitute if “research of physiological sciences targeted at humans andspecimens obtained from humans and other relevant fields” are to be usedat the National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS). If there isno ethics committee in the affiliated institute, a confirmation letter
stating that there is no ethical problem from the head of the affiliatedinstitute is required. The ethics committee of NIPS will also make ascreening after acceptance.
(3) Handling of intellectual property
This shall be as prescribed in Inventions by Employee Rules of the National
Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS Rules No. 12 of 2004).

(4) Handling of personal information

Personal information included in the application documents will be
under tight control based on the “Act on the Protection of Personal
Information Held by Incorporated Administrative Agencies, etc.” and“Personal Information Protection Rules” of NINS and used for operation
purposes of this program only.
(5) Accommodation facilities
Accommodation facilities may be used in NINS if implementing joint researchin each institute. For details, contact the information and consultation desk
listed at “11. Others (7) Contact Information and Consultation Desk”.
(Examples of accommodation facilities)① Cosmos
Lodge, NAOJ
② NIFS
Researcher accommodation facility (Helicon Club)③ Okazaki area (NIBB, NIPS, IMS) Okazaki area accommodation facilities forresearchers (Mishima Lodge and Myodaiji Lodge)11(6) Childcare support
Childcare support may be used in NINS if implementing joint research ineach institute. However, the capacity is limited so contact the following
desks in advance.
① NAOJ
The nursing room can be used if implementing joint utilization andjoint research in NAOJ (Mitaka area only). Contact the following in
advance if you wish to use it.
Employee Affairs Section, General Affairs Division, Administration
Department, NAOJ
Tel: 0422-34-3654 (Direct number)② NIFSA part of the temporary daycare use fee of a child is supported if
implementing joint utilization and joint research in NIFS. Contact thefollowing in advance if you wish to use it.
Personnel and Payroll Section, General Affairs Division
Department of Administration, NIFS
Tel: 0572-58-2012 (Direct number)③ NIBB, NIPS, and IMS
The nursing facility within the place of business can be used if there
is an opening when implementing joint utilization and joint research in
NIBB, NIPS, and IMS. Contact the following roughly 6 weeks prior to thepreferred date of use if you wish to use it.
General Affairs Section, General Affairs Division
General Affairs Department, Okazaki Administration Center
Tel: 0564-55-7112 (Direct number)(7) Contact Information and Consultation Desk
If you have any questions, consultations, etc. about this open recruitment,
please contact the following.
(Contact Information and Consultation Desk)
Research Cooperation Division, Administrative Bureau, NINSTEL: 03-5425-1318
Fax: 03-5425-2049
E-mail: nins-jr@nins.jp

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