[Hokkaido University]“Initiative for the Realization of Diversity in the Research Environment (Traction Type)”

FY 2021 KNIT Collaborative Research Fund
Application Guidelines[Overview]As part of the Initiative for the Realization of Diversity in the Research Environment(Traction Type) (FY 2019-2024), one of the Science and Technology Human Resources
Development Subsidy Programs (funded by MEXT), Hokkaido University offers a
research funding scheme for the researchers who plan to conduct superior collaborative
research with their collaborators at KNIT partner institutions (Hokkaido University,Muroran Institute of Technology, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary
Medicine, Kitami Institute of Technology, Amino Up Co., Ltd., and Nitto DenkoCorporation) with the objective of enhancing the research capability and improving
leadership skills of female researchers, and expanding research networks in Hokkaido.
Their collaborative research is hereinafter referred to as KNIT Collaborative Research.
[Amount of Research Funding]
A. Maximum of ¥1,000,000 per project if the principal investigator(PI) is from Hokkaido
University
B. Maximum of ¥250,000 per person, per project if the research collaborators belong toHokkaido University
Refer to the conditions in “[Eligibility] (4) Application Amount” for the total amount ofthe FY 2021 KNIT Collaborative Research Fund.
[Eligibility](1) Structure of the Collaborative Research Team• The PI must be a female researcher who belongs to KNIT partner institutions, andat least one researcher from KNIT partner institutions must be joined as a researchcollaborator. If your team meets this condition, researchers who do not belong to aKNIT partner institution may participate as research collaborators. Furthermore,details on the principal investigator and research collaborators are as follows.
① Principal Investigator• A female researcher (includes specially-appointed faculty, postdoctoral
research fellows, and academic researchers*2) who has participated in theposter session as a presenter in the interdisciplinary meetup week 2020*1② Research Collaborators• A researcher, regardless of gender , who belongs to a university, company, orother institutions (includes specially-appointed faculty, postdoctoral research
fellows, and academic researchers*2)• Only collaborators who belong to a university that is a KNIT partner
institution are eligible for research funding.
• It is favorable for the collaborators to have participated in theinterdisciplinary meetup week 2020, as it adds points to screening.
※1 Besides displaying a poster, this includes researchers who have posted their names as a joint signature on theposter, and participated in the interdisciplinary meetup week 2020.
※2 Shows enough effort to fulfill duties in the collaborative research, and does not violate employment conditions.

(2) Multiple KNIT Collaborative Research Applications• A researcher may only submit one KNIT Collaborative Research proposal as aprincipal investigator.
• A principal investigator may also be a research collaborator of another KNIT
Collaborative Research project.
(3) Applications by Recipients of the FY 2020 KNIT Collaborative Research Fund
• Recipients of the FY 2020 KNIT Collaborative Research Fund may submit anapplication for a new theme or if there has been further development from their FY
2020 selected theme.
(4) Application Amount• The total application amount for the fiscal year’s KNIT Collaborative Research
Fund must not exceed ¥1,750,000 per applicant. (Example: ¥1,000,000 as aprincipal investigator + ¥200,000 as a research collaborator in a different
collaborative research × 4 projects = ¥1,800,000 is not allowed)• The total amount for one research theme submitted for the research fund must notexceed ¥1,800,000.
• If one researcher becomes a collaborative researcher in multiple KNIT
collaborative research project, the limit stated in [Research Fund Amount] B shallbe applied for each collaborative research project. However, its validation shall beconsidered during screening.
(5) Others• In line with the aim of this program, it is favorable for female researchers toparticipate as research collaborators, so the screening shall put weight on thatfactor.
• Applications for research themes that have already received other research funds
shall not be accepted.
• Refer to the application guidelines of the researcher’s institution for grants toresearchers belonging to other institutions.
[Research Expenses Covered by the Funding]
Facility/equipment expense (expenses for purchases over ¥500,000), supplies expense,
travel expense (participation in conferences to present the results of this research,meetings involving this research, etc., excluding international travel expense), and othernecessary expenses (honorarium, communication and transportation expense, rent
expense, and miscellaneous expenses)
Expenses of research collaborators and principal investigators of other institutions
cannot be counted as expenses even when those expenses fall in the above categories.
[Distribution of Funds and Execution Period]• The funds shall be distributed after the proposal is selected and the collaborative
research contract is concluded with the institution to which the researcher belongs.
• The execution period of the funding shall be from the conclusion of the collaborative
research contract until the end of February 2022.
[How to Apply]• Principal investigators who belong to Hokkaido University must submit the prescribed
application form to the Promotion Office of Research Environment for Diversity via
electronic mail.
(Please inform research collaborators who belong to other partner institutions thatthey must submit a copy of the application form to the said office.)• Research collaborators who belong to Hokkaido University must submit to thePromotion Office of Research Environment for Diversity a copy of the application form
that the principal investigator submitted to the said office.

Deadline: February 1, 2021 (Monday) at 12:00 noon
[Screening]• The selection and the amount of funding shall be decided by the KNIT screening
committee. The selection shall be approved in the KNIT council.
• Screening shall be done by the committee members according to the following
prescribed points.
A) The background and objective of the research is expressed in a way anyone canunderstandB) The research plan is appropriate for the objectiveC) The significance as a collaborative research and the role distribution are clearD) Growth as a leader can be expected through research fundingE) The budget plan is appropriate for the research plan
F）Active participation in the interdisciplinary meetup week hosted by KNIT
[Announcement of Results]
Results are scheduled to be announced in early April 2021. All applicants will benotified.
[Other Notes]• Successful applicants shall be required to actively participate in research studies,
symposia and other events hosted by KNIT in line with this Initiative.
• The principal investigator must submit an implementation report (including financialstatement) in the designated format to the Promotion Office of Research Environmentfor Diversity at the end of the implementation period for the fiscal year.
• The research title, applicant’s institution, and the collaborators’ institutions ofsuccessful applications shall be posted on the KNIT website and publications of thePromotion Office of Research Environment for Diversity. Other details shall be
published after obtaining the applicant’s permission.

Where to Submit Application and for Inquiries:
Promotion Office of Research Environment for Diversity
Headquarters for Human Resource Education and Development
Hokkaido University
Phone: 011-706-3625
E-mail: reed@synfoster.hokudai.ac.jp