Carbon Recycling Fund InstituteResearch Grant Program: FAQs

Q: How do the general category and startup category differ?
A: Their basic objective is the same. The main difference is their application formats. For the generalcategory, the applicants need to use stipulated forms and so on, while the application format forthe startup category is simplified with the use of a questionnaire and free-form supplemental
materials that applicants are permitted to attach to their application form. Another difference isthat the screening for the startup category is conducted from the viewpoint of companies andtends to place importance on the future commercialization potential.
Q: On the application form for the general category, should the president of university place a seal
impression as the head of the affiliated institution in case of an application made by university?
A: Please obtain a seal impression from the head of the organization an applicant belongs to. It canbe the president of university, faculty head, or department chair. In the case of companies, pleaseobtain a seal impression from a person in a managerial position.
Q: For the “reference material that indicates the details of the affiliated institution’s activities, such as
a company information booklet or brochure,” what kinds of documents should be submitted?
A: If the applicant is a researcher in university or other research institutes, please submit a copy of
the relevant part of a list of researchers, a copy of the website of the laboratory they belong to, ora copy of data on researchers such as researchmap. If the applicant belongs to a private company
and so on, please submit a company brochure, booklet, or a copy of the company’s website.
Q: Will you accept multiple applications from the same organization?
A: We will accept them as we do not place any specific restrictions. However, only one application
may be made by the same principal investigator.
Q: How do you conduct screening?
A: Applications are screened based on the documents submitted by applicants. For the generalcategory, experts from academic institutions and companies conduct screening, while screening
for the startup category is conducted from the viewpoint of companies and tends to place
importance on the future commercialization potential. Please note that we will not answer
questions about the screening process.
Q: Should we submit an optional video?
A: Because screening is conducted based on documents, we are making the submission of a video
optional. This option is designed to provide applicants with an opportunity to communicate to thescreening committee messages that they cannot convey in writing. For instance, they canintroduce themselves or describe the key points of the research for which they are applying for a1

grant and what they intend to achieve through the research. Applicants may submit a video if they
feel it necessary to do so. In the fiscal year 2022, half of the applicants submitted a video.
Q: Can a researcher who has received your grant in the past re-apply?
A: Yes, they can. An application may be made to continue the research for which the grant has been
given in the past or to make a different research proposal. In this case, state the outcome of thepast research and innovativeness or uniqueness of the new research proposal in comparison withsuch an outcome.
Q: What is the success rate?
A: In the fiscal year 2022, 14 out of 55 applicants received a grant in the general category, while twoout of 29 applicants received a grant in the startup category. In both fiscal years 2020 and 2021,
12 out of 45 applicants were successful.
Q: Do we need to submit documents both by mail and as electronic data?
A: Yes, both are necessary. Send electronic data using the Grant Application Form.
Q: Can we access the themes that have received a grant in the past?
A: The themes that have received a grant in the past are available through the following URL:
https://carbon-recycling-fund.jp/research_grant_activities/grant_achievements_list
Q: How do you disburse a grant?
A: A grant is disbursed as a lump sum to the affiliated organization of the principal investigator once
all the stipulated procedures are completed after selection. We do not split payment for joint
research organizations and so on. If a successful applicant is a university, they may receive thegrant as donation.
Q: How should we treat the goods (fixed assets) purchased and intellectual property rights?
A: Please follow the instructions of your affiliated organization on how to manage the goods
purchased with the grant. We do not provide any specific instructions on this matter. The outcomeof the research belongs to researchers. Please follow the instructions of your affiliatedorganization on the handling of intellectual property rights.

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