Network Joint Research Center (NJRC) for Materials and Devices
Application Guidelines for Joint Research Programs FY2024
These guidelines are translations of the original Japanese text. If any differences in wording or interpretation should
occur between the two, the Japanese guidelines will take precedence.

Introduction
The Network Joint Research Center (NJRC) for Materials and Devices is a system of research institutions establishedby Research Institute of Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced
Materials, Tohoku University, Institute for Chemistry and Life Science, Laboratory of Innovation Research, Tokyo
Institute of Technology, SANKEN, Osaka University, and Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu
University as a cooperative usage and research center for investigators to conduct joint studies beyond their owninstitutes.
Since receiving certification of activity authorization as a Joint Usage/Research Center from the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2010, the NJRC has vigorously developed activities to promote cooperative
research in the area of materials and devices.
The following is the application guidelines for the open call for proposals for FY2024.

Programs
Basic Joint Research Program
The center supports bottom-up (proposal)–type joint research based on applicants’ free ideas and approaches in the fieldof materials and devices. Research expenses are about 150,000 yen.
Program for Utilization of Facilities and Equipment
This program aims to contribute to improving applicants’ research infrastructure by providing access to state-of-the-art
facilities and equipment owned by the five institutes. Research funds are not provided.
Crossover Joint Research ProgramThis is a goal-setting program that combines, for example, materials and AI, materials and light, life science andmathematics, and materials and social science. The program develops the fields into interdisciplinary fusion research,leading to the creation of new areas. Research expenses are about 300,000 to 400,000 yen.
Expanded Joint Research Program
By conducting joint studies with two or more research areas (institutes), the center aims to promote personnel exchanges
and develop original research through multifaceted perspectives. Research expenses are about 300,000 to 400,000 yen.
Collaborative Research Laboratory (CORE-Lab) Program
A selected young investigator forms a research team as a project leader and stays at the host institute for a mid- to longterm stay to conduct research activities. Through in-depth discussions with outstanding investigators, the program isexpected to produce breakthrough results and innovations. Research period is for two years. Research expenses areabout 2 million yen per year in FY2025.

Host Institutes⚫

Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University: Materials-Light-Life-Mathematics Complex Science Research Area⚫

Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University: Material Creation and Advanced Measurements Research Area⚫

Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology: Chemistry for Material Systems Research Area⚫

SANKEN, Osaka University: Nanoscience and Devices Research Area⚫

Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University: Material and Functions Research Area

An investigator affiliated with one of the five institutes above will serve as a coresearcher (a host faculty member). The
NJRC’s website (https://five-star.sanken.osaka-u.ac.jp/) covers all information necessary for application, including
guidelines, a researcher database useful for finding partners for joint investigations, and a list of available equipment at
the host research institutes.
Before making applications, thorough discussion between applicants and host researchers or the person in charge offacilities and equipment should be held about the aim and the plan of the research projects.
Depending on the content of an application, we might adjust the host institute or the program category to more
appropriate ones.

Usage of Research Funds
Research funds can be used for travel expenses, article submission fees, and expendables (such as reagents) which arenecessary to conduct joint research. Regarding Collaborative Research Laboratory (CORE-Lab) Program alone,research funds can be used also for equipment necessary to conduct joint research.
Research funds are not directly allocated to a principal investigator. After an application becomes approved, guidanceon usage of the funds will be provided to an applicant by the host institute. Research funds should be used in accordancewith the guidance.

Eligible Applicants
Researchers affiliated with national, public, and private universities, public research institutes, private companies(limited to academic research content), and other institutions equivalent to those.
Applicants for Collaborative Research Laboratory (CORE-lab) Program should be young researchers under the age ofaround 45.

Research Period

From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

How to apply
Applications can be made on an online system for NJRC’s open calls. As the application form and the manuals areprovided only in Japanese, we recommend that you ask your host researcher for help to make an application.

Application period
From 10 January 2024 to 31 January 2024
*Applications for Program for Utilization of Facilities and Equipment will be accepted even after the application period
when there is a need to use facilities and equipment. In such case, please contact a host researcher or the office workers
at each institute.

Notification of a result of an application
After deliberations on approval of applications by Joint Research Promotion Committee, applicants will be notified ofthe results of approval or rejection in April 2024.
Approved research projects will be put on the list of research projects on the NJRC's website along with PI’s names
and affiliations.

Submission of a Report on the Research Result
Please submit a report describing the progress and the results of research on the online system for open calls. The reportwill be published on NJRC's website after confirming PI’s permission for publication.
*The closing date for submission is scheduled on March 30, 2025. Details will be informed as the date approaches.

Publication of the Research Results
When publishing the research results, please write sentences equivalent to ‘This work was performed under theCooperative Research Program of “Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices (MEXT)”’.

Handling of Intellectual Property Rights
When intellectual property is created during research, the ownership of intellectual property rights should be promptly
discussed among researchers’ institutions. In principle, allocations of rights will depend on degree of each researcher's
contribution to inventions and so on.

OthersWhen there is a need to handle radioactive rays in each host institute to conduct joint research, please submit a certificate
proving that you have been registered as a person who can handle radioactive rays issued by your affiliated institution.

*In the case your application of research program involves utilization of Research Laboratory for Quantum Beam
Science at SANKEN, Osaka University, it is required to apply for an inquiry for safety use of radioactive rays througha website of Research Laboratory for Quantum Beam Science. (http://osku.jp/z0170) As the website is provided onlyin Japanese, please ask your host researcher for help to apply for it.

Contact⚫

Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University
N21W10, Kita-Ward Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
TEL：+81-11-706-9202
FAX：+81-11-706-9110
Email：kyoten@es.hokudai.ac.jp⚫

Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University
Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
TEL：+81-22-217-5822
FAX：+81-22-217-5211
Email：tagen.alliance@grp.tohoku.ac.jp⚫

Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology
R1-32, 4259 Nagatsutacho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 226-8503, Japan
TEL：+81-45-924-5961
FAX：+81-45-924-5976
Email：kasei.kyoten@jim.titech.ac.jp⚫

SANKEN (The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research), Osaka University
8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0047, Japan
TEL：+81-6-6879-4300
FAX：+81-6-6879-8509
Email：NJRC@sanken.osaka-u.ac.jp⚫

Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University
6-1 Kasugakoen, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
TEL：+81-92-583-8898

FAX：+81-92-583-8898

Email：kyoten@cm.kyushu-u.ac.jp