JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects Co-Funding Scheme

Overview

The University of Melbourne (UoM) is committed to growing research collaborations with Japanese institutions. The aim of this Co-Funding Scheme is to promote the development of new collaborations in association with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Open Partnership Joint Research Projects.

The JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects are intended to enhance and sustain collaborative networks evolved from individual researcher exchanges. As JSPS will only support the activity of Japan-based researchers, UoM's JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects Co-funding Scheme supports the participation of UoM researchers in the JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects.

This support does not extend to the JSPS Open Partnership Seminars, but UoM researchers may still participate and be listed as co-investigators.

The Co-Funding Scheme is open to all fields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences [including health and medicine, and engineering].

Proposals should include at least one Principal Investigator (PI) from UoM who wishes to establish a new, or develop an existing, collaboration with eligible Japanese colleagues. There is no limit to the number of academic staff members who can participate in proposals, with the involvement of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and graduate researchers (PhD candidates) strongly encouraged.

Funding

In 2026 the University of Melbourne will contribute co-funding of up to $25,000 for up to ten (10) JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects. The University’s contribution will be made up of 1:1 contribution from Melbourne Research and Enterprise and the Faculty/School/Department of the UoM Principal Investigator (PI).

Eligibility

Each application must be led by at least one PI from an eligible Japanese research institution and at least one PI from the University of Melbourne.

Melbourne PIs

Melbourne PIs must hold an appointment at the University of Melbourne that meets the following requirements, at the time of application, and for the duration of the award:

• Academic Level A6 or higher; and
• 0.5 FTE or higher.

Honorary and adjunct academic staff should seek a letter of support directly from their primary employer committing funding to support their participation in the JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects using the provided approval form in the "Support documents" section.

Melbourne PIs must not have outstanding Progress Reports or Final Reports from any other University of Melbourne Researcher Development Schemes program.

Japanese PIs

PIs at the Japanese partner institution must meet the eligibility requirements stipulated in the guidelines found on the JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects website.

How to apply

1. Review the Guidelines

   Please carefully read the UoM JSPS Co-Funding Scheme Guidelines under 'Supporting Documents' below.  University of Melbourne PIs are advised to check the timelines set internally by their Japan-based partners’  institution as soon as possible. Please note that JSPS-affiliated institutions may set earlier deadlines than the dates shown in the guidelines for the JSPS Joint Research Projects or the UoM JSPS Co-Funding Scheme Guidelines.

2. Prepare your budget and Letter of Support

   The application submitted to JSPS by your Japan-based partner must describe the extent of support from the University of Melbourne by referring to a Letter of Support. This Letter must be co-signed by both the UoM PI’s Faculty/School/Department and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC), Research Partnerships, and supplied to your Japan-based PI.
   
   Contact your Faculty/School/Department to discuss funding and support for the JSPS application. Then download the Letter template provided under 'Supporting Documents' and allow time to collect Faculty/Head of School/Department signatures.

3. Submit your SmartyGrants application

   Once the Letter of Support has been completed and signed by your Faculty/School/Department, fill in your SmartyGrants application and attach the Letter. The Researcher Development Schemes (RDS) team will arrange for the Letter of Support to be co-signed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC), Research Partnerships,  and return it to you.
   
   Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their SmartyGrants applications ahead of the final due date. The due date of 31 August 2026 is last date we can receive applications to ensure Letters of Support are returned in time. 
   
   If you are applying as an Honorary staff member, please also complete and upload the Honorary Declaration form to your SmartyGrants submission.

4. Send the Letter of Support to your Japan-based PI

   Once you receive the fully signed Letter of Support back from RDS, forward it to the lead PI at the Japanese partner institution. The application submitted to JSPS must describe the extent of support from the University of Melbourne by referring to the Letter of Support because JSPS's online application system cannot accept additional documents.

Note to all applicants: please do NOT create Cayuse Proposals for this scheme. These will be automatically generated by RDS from your SmartyGrants submission.

Supporting documents

2026 UoM-JSPS Co-Funding Guidelines

JSPS Bilateral Joint Research Projects FY2027 Guidelines

SmartyGrants Application form (Submission portal)

Letter of Support - template

Honorary Declaration form

List of Previous Awardees 2022-25

Contacts