JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects co-funding scheme

Overview

The aim of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects program is to form sustained networks that have evolved from individual researcher exchanges, including early career researchers.

The scheme is open to all fields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

As JSPS will only support activity of Japan-based researchers, the aim of the JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects Co-funding Scheme is to support University of Melbourne participation in the JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects. This support does not extend to JSPS Open Partnership Seminars, but UoM researchers may still participate and be listed as co-investigators on this scheme.

Funding

In 2023 the University of Melbourne will contribute co-funding of up to $25,000 for up to 10 JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects. The University’s contribution will be made up of 1:1 contribution from Chancellery 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 Scheme.

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

   Under 'Supporting Documents' below.  Please note that applicants’ affiliated institutions may set earlier deadlines than the date provided by JSPS in their guidelines. University of Melbourne PIs are advised to check the timelines set internally by their partners’ (Japan-based PIs) institutions with their partner PIs as soon as possible.

2. Prepare your budget and draft Letter of Support

   Seek commitment from your Faculty/School/Department and fill in the template Letter of Support to be included in your Themis submission.

3. Create a Themis Grants Submit Workbench submission

   Create a Themis Grants Workbench submission and attach the Letter of Support signed by your Faculty/School/Department. The Researcher Development Schemes team will then coordinate the signatures from Chancellery Research and Enterprise leadership and send it back to you.

4. Send Letter of Support to Japan-based PI

   Provide the Letter of Support to the lead PI at the Japanese partner institution. The application submitted to JSPS must describe the extent of support from the University by referring to the Letter of Support that is co-signed by the UoM PI’s Faculty/ School/ Department and Chancellery Research and Enterprise.*

   *JSPS's online application system cannot accept additional documents other than those requested. Make sure the Letter of Support is described in the application form.

Supporting documents

2023 Guidelines for applicants

Letter of Support template

Honorary declaration form

Instructions for creating a grant submission record in Themis.  The scheme title in Themis is "Melbourne - JSPS Open Partnership Joint Research Projects".

Contacts