Call for applications: Joint Research & Conference Programs, Institute ofNature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University
The Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa
University (K-INET), which consists of four research divisions (Atmospheric
EnvironmentalStudies,

MarineEnvironmentalStudies,

Terrestrial

Environmental Studies, and Integrated Environmental Studies) investigatesenvironmental issues of the Trans-Japan-Sea region. K-INET supports thejoint research programs and research conferences organized in collaboration
with K-INET research staff.
1) Purpose
To promote joint research activities particularly addressing the Trans-JapanSea region and to support young researchers in this specific research field, KINET supports "joint research programs" and "conference organization."
Successful applications must specifically examine the establishment of core
world-leading studies of environmental issues (e.g., elucidation of Earthenvironment system, pollution, human impacts, ecosystems) and takeadvantage of global joint research networks, international observation
networks, and research resources established in K-INET.
2) Research Targets
Basic and applied research topics related to the Trans-Japan-Sea region areencouraged.
a) Understanding environmental pollution, environmental fluctuation, andtheir respective controlling factorsb) Effects of environmental change on human healthc) Human society and ecosystemsd) Prediction of local environmentse) Topics related to sustainable development
3) Funding categories
Applicants choose one of four funding categories to prepare proposals.

Program members must include K-INET research staff. A domestic orinternational program exists for each funding category. Applicants to theinternational

programmust

belongtooverseas

institutions.

TheInternational Joint Research Program supports K-INET research staff visits
to the applicant's institution for collaborative studies, as well as research
activities in K-INET by program members. International conference grants
support conferences held at or near an applicant's institution.
a) Key Joint Research Program (domestic/international)
Two applications will be accepted. Up to 1 million JPY is available perapplication. The fund can cover travel expenses to Kanazawa University andconsumables necessary for laboratory and observatory work.
Successful applications must cover more than two research targets. Morethan five researchers must contribute to the research program.
b) Joint Research Program (domestic/international)
30 applications will be accepted. 100–300 thousand JPY is available perapplication. The fund can cover travel expenses to Kanazawa University andconsumables necessary for laboratory and observatory work.
c) PhD students Supporting Program (domestic/international)
Two applications will be accepted. 100–300 thousand JPY is available perapplication. Applicants must be PhD students. Please discuss applications
with a supervisor beforehand.
d) Conference Grant (domestic/international)
Three proposals will be accepted. 400–500 thousand JPY is available perapplication. The fund can cover, for example, travel expenses, consumables,and facility rental fees. Domestic grants support the conference held inIshikawa prefecture, Japan. International grants support conferences held ator near the applicant’s institution.
4) Facilities and instruments

A list of facilities and instruments open for joint research program is available
at the K-INET website (http://www.ki-net.kanazawa-u.ac.jp). Please refer"the guidebook for joint research and conference program"(Japanese edition
only) for details related to the use of facilities and instruments, and follow
instructions by the K-INET Director.
5) Program period
Accepted programs will start on 1 April 2017 and end on 31 March 2018.
6) Applicant requirementsa) Researchers or PhD students whose main affiliation is a university or
research institute.
b) Researchers who are approved by the K-INET Director.
* PhD students are able to apply funding category "c".
* The applicant’s obligation is to publish (or at least submit) results in related
research journals within two years after the research period.
(Please see section "13 Final reports" for detailed information.)
7) How to apply
Please discuss with K-INET research staff preparation of the application formand submit form 1 (application form for the joint research) or form 2(application form for the conference grant) via e-mail with the e-mail title of"apply to the joint research program or conference grant." Please take care tonote that a recommendation letter must be received from the director (ormanager) of the applicant's organization after acceptance of the proposal.
<Special reminder: legal requirements>
Special notice should be included in the application form to handle samples
that must be treated under the particular law (e.g., plants and animals
protected under CITES). Please obtain permission from related organizations
before the start of the joint research program.
Correspondence: The K-INET office (Accounting Division, Science andEngineering Administration Department), Kanazawa University, Kakuma

Kanazawa 9210-1192, Japane-mail: k-inet.jurc@adm. kanazawa-u.ac.jp
8) Deadline of submission
Please submit application form (form 1 or form 2) before 17 March, 2017.
* When the K-INET director admits research topics that are highly importantand urgently necessary, submission of the application form might be accepted
after the deadline. In this case, the application form should be submitted atleast one month before the program starts.
9) Notice of acceptanceA letter of acceptance will be sent via e-mail to applicants from the K-INET
director after discussion among committee members by 31 March, 2017.
Members of successful programs are appointed as visiting researchers of KINET.
Successful applicants must submit a Pledge and Recommendation from thedirector (or manager) of the applicant's organization immediately after theapplicant receives the notice of acceptance.
The applicant must confirm a research schedule under discussion with thecorresponding K-INET research staff. When the applicant fails to accomplish
a research schedule, written notice must be submitted to the K-INET office
to inform the reason, etc. In addition, the program number, title, applicant
name, and affiliation would be listed on the K-INET website. If the applicant
has a certain reason to avoid listing on the website, then the applicant'swishes will be respected.
10) Change of the research plan
A new plan should be notified after discussion with the corresponding K-INET
research staff (the change might not be approved without a valid reason) ifthe applicant wishes to change part of the research plan. When the applicant’saffiliation is changed, please notify K-INET office and resubmit the Pledge
and Recommendation from the director. Nominal changes do not need to bereported.

11) Financial support
Consumables necessary for a joint research program must be covered by theapplicants themselves, except for the part of consumables payable by the fund.
The joint research fund is available from K-INET through the corresponding
research staff. Travel expenses will be covered only when the project members
visit K-INET and related institutions. "International" programs enable
research staff from the K-INET to visit the applicant's institution. Travel
expenses will be covered by the fund.
When applicants are invited to present their research results in thesymposium organized by K-INET, travel expenses will be covered.
12) Intellectual property
The right to intellectual property is fundamentally protected by theregulations in the applicant's organization. When the contribution by theresearch staff from K-INET is considered, discussion among organizations isnecessary under the Kanazawa University Regulations (Article 2, paragraph(7) and (9) of Kanazawa University Invention on Job Rules). Therefore
immediate notice will be appreciated.
When an applicant's organization follows the process to protect the right for
intellectual property, notice given to the K-INET office will be appreciated.
13) Final report
Applicants must submit form 3 or form 4 by 28 April 2018. Research results
will be published on the website and an annual report of K-INET.
Presentation in the symposium organized by the K-INET is also requested.
Applicants’ obligations include publication of the research results in scientificjournals with acknowledgement of support from the joint research program(see example below). Two sets of reprints should be submitted to the K-INEToffice. Information related to published articles will be listed on the K-INET
website. When a certain reason exists to refrain from publication of theresearch results, applicants must report the reason and the expected durationof delay to the K-INET office.

*Example: This study was conducted under the cooperative research programof Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University<Accept No.>.