Japan-China Joint Research Program on
“Science and Technology (S&T) for Environmental Conservation and Construction of a Society with Less Environmental Burden”
5th Call for Proposals
I General Description
1. New scheme for joint funding of Japan-China research cooperation
Based on the agreement concluded in May 1980 between the Japanese and Chinese governments on cooperation in science and technology and the discussion at the Japan- China Committee on Science and Technological cooperation in February 2003, the China-Japan Workshop on S&T for Environmental Conservation and Construction of a Society with Less Environmental Burden was held in Wuhan University of Technology(WUT), February 2004, organized and sponsored by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in Japanese side, and also organized and sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), supported by The Ministry of Science and Technology of China (MOST) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Chinese side.
After the Workshop, JST and NSFC have agreed that “S&T for Environmental Conservation and Construction of a Society with Less Environmental Burden” was selected as the field of research for which the joint funding scheme will apply.
2. Aim of program and research field
The aim of the program is to strengthen the collaboration between China and Japan within “S&T for Environmental Conservation and Construction of a Society with Less Environmental Burden” to make synergy effect which is expected to produce new research area, new research method or important results. This field is considered important in both countries in order to achieve growth and sustainability over the long run.
The field is so wide that the research areas in the field have to be specified in each year for joint funding.
Research areas were focused on overcoming Environmental Pollution in 2004, such as (1) Technology for water environment improvement, (2) Technology for air quality improvement and (3) Technology for the use of natural energy resources, and focused on Biomass and Health in 2005, such
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as (1) New energy including Biomass and (2) Effects of environment on health. In 2006 the research areas were focused on “Development of Environmental
Impact Assessments and Conservation Technologies for sustaining Watershed Ecosystems” such as water-material circulations or ecosystem mechanisms on watershed such as river, basins, wetlands, coasts, gulfs, or sea, by fully utilizing state-of -the-art environmental monitoring, assessment, simulation, or conservation technologies of Japan and China. In 2007 the research areas are focused on “Basic Research on Sustainable Utilizations of Energy” such as (1)
Biofuel Cells and Organic Solar Cells, (2) Fluid Flow and Combustion in Micro Power System, and (3) Pollutants Control of Fossil-Fuel Combustion.
The research areas in 2008 are focused on “Environmental Conservation
and Restoration using Bioremediation Function/ Technology” in order to
resolve the problem such as (1) Desertification and Salt accumulated soil, (2) Salt affected or Acid sulfate Soil, and (3)Absorption of Heavy metal ions and CO2 and (4) Maintenance of quantity and quality of water.
3. Who can apply?
JST and NSFC invite Japanese and Chinese researchers to submit proposals for cooperative research projects in the research areas described above. An important criterion of the proposed collaboration is that it should build on and reinforce already on-going research activities in each research group and contribute significant added value to these.
Researchers from industry may participate in the joint collaboration.
It is requested that Chinese applicants need to be a PI of an ongoing project supported by NSFC in the year of application.
The Japanese and Chinese applicants shall submit a common application
(English version) and Japanese or Chinese application both to JST and NSFC in parallel.
(In case of no submission both to JST and NSFC, the proposal shall not be accepted and not be brought to the evaluation process.)
4. Financial support
JST and NSFC plan to support cooperative research projects including dispatch and invitation of researchers with a main emphasis on leading-edge researchers.
Except for invitation expenses, JST will support expenses for Japanese researchers, and NSFC will support expenses for Chinese researchers. (See Section 3.3 of Paragraph II and III)
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II Support by JST (this section is for Japanese applicants only)
1. Budget for a Cooperative Research Project
Budgets will differ depending on the content of activities, but the total budget for the Japanese researcher over a full 3-year period (i.e., 36 months) should not exceed 22.5 million yen, in principle. (Example: proposals envisaging a budget of 10.5 million yen for the first year and 6 million yen for each of the last 2 years are also possible.)
Due to budget limitations of this program, amounts will be adjusted in each year.
Expenses for facilities and equipment can be requested, in principle, only for the first fiscal year.
2. Cooperative Research Period
The cooperative research period shall be 3 years (i.e., 36 months) in total, counting from the start date in January of 2009.
3. Details of Support
This program is designed to support additional expenses related to cooperation with the Chinese partner, with the precondition that the main
research infrastructure is already in place in each research group.
3.1 Contract between Successful Applicant and JST
Support will be implemented according to a contract for commissioned research made between JST and a university or public research institute, etc. (hereafter, “institution”).
The contract for commissioned research will be made each year during the cooperative research period.
Since the contract is concluded on condition that all administrative procedures related to this project shall be handled in the institution, please consult with the department in charge at your institution.
The contract stipulates that Article 30 of the Law on Special Measures for Industrial Revitalization (Japanese version of the Bayh-Dole Act) shall apply to all intellectual property rights (patents, utility model or design rights, rights to programs, databases and other intangible property and know-how, and so on) generated as a result of this project, and that this can become the property of the institution with which the research leader is affiliated.
3.2 Contract between Researchers
If a contract for cooperative research is necessary for implementing actual
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research cooperation, such a contract should be concluded between the Japanese institutions and the Chinese institutions. It is strongly advisable but
not required that appropriate discussions of the issue of rights to intellectual property with Chinese researchers or research institutions take place, to ensure good collaboration. If an agreement is concluded, it should be reported in the application.
3.3 Funded expenses
Funded expenses include costs for implementation of research exchanges and performing research activities.
(1) Expenses for research exchanges
1) Travel expenses
In principle, travel expenses should be based on the rules of the institution
with which the research leader is affiliated.
a. Expenses for researchers from the Japanese side
i) Foreign travel expenses
Please apply for foreign travel expenses to attend research exchanges
held in China.
In Case1: Total duration of stay within 180 man-days
• Travel expenses (note: expenses for stay in China within 180 man-days
shall be supported by NSFC)
In Case2: Total duration of stay over 180 man-days
• Travel expenses + expenses for stay
ii) Domestic travel expenses
• Domestic travel expenses for the purpose of research exchanges
b. Expenses for researchers from the Chinese side
In case of invitation of researchers from China within total 180 man-days, JST shall support expenses for stay in Japan. (note: in case of over total 180 man-days, NSFC, not JST, shall support it.)
These expenses will include accommodation expenses + per diem and insurance fee for foreign travelers and will be limited by 350 thousands yen per one month in case of extended stay over 90 days.
2) Expenses for holding symposiums, seminars and meetings
The following expenses related to organizing symposiums and so on are covered under the project, e.g. consumables, printing and binding expenses, transportation and telecommunications fees, meeting fees (excluding expenses for alcoholic drinks), honoraria, and miscellaneous expenses.
(2) Expenses for research activities
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1) Expenses for facilities and equipment
(application: only for the first fiscal year, in principle)
Since the project is premised on making full use of existing facilities and equipment, only expenses for equipment essential for Japanese-Chinese cooperative research projects are covered.
2) Expenses for consumables
Expenses for procuring raw materials, consumable products, chemicals,
etc.
3) Salaries for the Japanese researchers actively participating in research
exchanges
4) Other
Expenses for creating software, renting or leasing equipment, for transporting equipment and for other expense items not covered above.
(3) Overhead Expenses
Since all administrative procedures related to this project are to be carried out by institutions, overhead expenses amounting to 10% or less of the total for research exchange and research activity expenses will be allowed. In case of that institutions have already specified the overhead expenses in their bylaws, these can be adopted after negotiation with JST. Overhead expenses should be provided for within the total budget.
(4) Items Not Covered
No expenses shall be paid for the following:
1) Expenses related to acquiring real estate or constructing buildings or other facilities
2) Expenses related to dealing with accidents or disasters occurring during cooperative research periods
3) Other expenses unrelated to implementation of this cooperative research project
III Support by NSFC (this section is for Chinese applicants only)
1. Budget for a Cooperative Research Project
The budget for each project is 1.0 million RMB over a full 3-year period (i.e., 36 months). NSFC will allocate 600,000 RMB in the first year and 400,000 RMB in the 3rd year.
2. Cooperative Research Period
The cooperative research period shall be 3 years (i.e., 36 months) in total, counting from the start date in January of 2009.
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3. Details of Support
This program is designed to support research in cooperation with the Japanese partner, with the precondition that the main research infrastructure is already in place in each research group.
3.1 Contract between Applicant and NSFC
Support will be implemented according to a contract in form of a Research Plan of project made between NSFC and a university or public research institute, etc. (hereafter, “institution”) for the period of 3 years.
The Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China (2001) and Patent Law of
the People’s Republic of China (2001) shall apply to all intellectual property rights (patents, utility model or design rights, rights to programs, databases and other intangible property and know-how, and so on) generated as a result of this project, and that this can become the property of the institution with which the research leader is affiliated.
3.2 Contract between Researchers
If a contract for cooperative research is necessary for implementing actual research cooperation, such a contract should be concluded between the Chinese institutions and the Japanese institutions. It is strongly advisable but not required that appropriate discussions of the issue of rights to intellectual property with Japanese researchers or research institutions take place, to ensure good collaboration. If an agreement is concluded, it should be reported in the application.
3.3 Funded expenses
(1) Expenses for research exchanges
1) Travel expenses
In principle, travel expenses should be based on the rules of the institution with which the research leader is affiliated.
a. Expenses for researchers from the Chinese side
Only foreign travel expenses to Japan are supported.
b. Expenses for researchers from the Japanese side
In case of invitation of researchers from Japan within total 180 man-days, NSFC shall support expenses for stay in China. (note: in case of over total 180 man-days, JST, not NSFC, shall support it.)
These expenses will include accommodation expenses + per diem and transportation.
2) Expenses for holding symposiums, seminars and meetings
The following expenses related to organizing symposiums and so on are
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covered under the project, e.g. consumables, printing and binding expenses, transportation and telecommunications fees, meeting fees (excluding expenses for alcoholic drinks), honoraria, and miscellaneous expenses.
(2) Expenses for research activities
1) Expenses for facilities and equipment
Since the project is premised on making full use of existing facilities and equipment, only expenses for equipment essential for Chinese-Japanese cooperative research projects are covered.
2) Expenses for consumables
Expenses for procuring raw materials, consumable products, chemicals, etc.
3) Other
Expenses for creating software, renting or leasing equipment, for transporting equipment and for other expense items not covered above.
(3) Overhead Expenses
Since all administrative procedures related to this project are to be carried out by institutions, overhead expenses amounting to 10% or less of the total for research exchange and research activity expenses will be allowed.
(4) Items Not Covered
No expenses shall be paid for the following:
1) Expenses related to acquiring real estate or constructing buildings or other facilities
2) Expenses related to dealing with accidents or disasters occurring during cooperative research periods
IV Application
The Japanese and Chinese applicants shall write a common application that shall be handed in both to JST and NSFC in parallel. The application shall be written in English. For the Japanese applicants a Japanese version is also required. For the Chinese applicants a Chinese version is also required (In case of no submission both to JST and NSFC, the proposal shall not be accepted and not be brought to the evaluation process.)
The application shall include:
A project description including how collaboration will be carried out, with clear statements of what Chinese and Japanese researchers respectively will do in the project;
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a description of the expected outcome of the proposed project, scientifically as well as in terms of its relevance for industry and society; a description of the ongoing activities and specific strengths of the Chinese and Japanese groups respectively, which form the basis for the proposed joint project;
a description of the expected added value from the proposed joint project, including how the competence, technology and other resources in the different groups complement each other;
a description of how the project is expected to help strengthen research cooperation between Japan and China over the longer term;
a description of the added value expected from the S&T for Environmental Conservation and Construction of a Society with Less Environmental Burden approach in the proposed joint project.
1. Application Forms
The following application forms have been prepared, in Japanese (J) and English (E).
Form 1E Application outline (title of cooperative research project,
names of research leaders, cooperative research period)
Form 2J/E Leader’s Information (CV of research leaders*)
Form 3J/E List of names of individuals involved in the cooperative
research project in Japan and China
Form 4J/E Description of the cooperative research project including
the points stated above
-maximum of 6 pages-
Form 5J/E A plan for the cooperative project
Form 6 E Papers and other publications by the Japanese-side
research leader in the past 5 years
Form 7 E Papers and other publications by the Chinese-side
research leader in the past 5 years
Form 8J/E Budget plan for the project
* The description shall include a short Curriculum Vitae (CV) from both Japanese and Chinese project leaders, which include basic information on education, past and present positions and membership of relevant organizations/associations. Each description should not be more than 1/2 page A4.
2. Preparation of Application Forms
Please fill in the particulars in all the application forms listed in 1. above which have been sent.
3. Submittal of Application Forms for Japanese Applicants
Application forms prepared by Japanese researchers shall be submitted to
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JST by 17:00 (Japanese Standard Time) on September 10, through online application system (http://www.e-rad.go.jp/index.html) that has been newly established by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as of January 2008.
4. Submittal of Application Forms for Chinese applicants
On line application will be made to NSFC according to Call for Proposals announced on NSFC internet on July 10, and on line submission needs to meet the deadline on September 10, 2008.
V Evaluation of Project Proposals
1. Evaluation Procedure
Committees consisting of experts selected by JST and NSFC respectively will evaluate all proposals. Based on the results of the evaluation, JST and NSFC will make a common decision regarding funding of selected proposals.
The members of the program committee in Japan and China will be selected after the proposals have been received.
2. Evaluation Criteria
The following general evaluation criteria apply:
1) Conformity with Program Aims and Designated Research Areas
The proposed activity shall conform to the aims of the program and the research fields that the program designates. In addition, the proposed activity shall be supported by the institutional resources available.
2) Capability of Research Leaders (one on each side)
The research leaders shall have the insight or experience necessary for pursuing the activity and the ability to manage the cooperation and reach the project goals during this program’s period of support.
3) Appropriateness of Plan
The plan shall incorporate an appropriate system for implementing the activity and be realistic in relation to the project budget.
4) Effect of the Activity
The proposed activity can be expected to achieve any of the following, through the cooperation with researchers in the counterpart country: - Opening up of a new field or new advances in science and technology through the creation of new scientific knowledge in an existing research field.
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- Nurturing of researchers able to play a central role in future research exchanges with the counterpart country.
- Sustained development of research exchanges with the counterpart country initiated by this activity.
The following specific evaluation criterion applies:
On-going research activity
The proposed collaboration shall build on, reinforce and add significant value to already on-going research activities in each research group.
3. Announcement of Decision
The final decision regarding supported projects will be notified to the applicants in December, 2008.
VI. Responsibilities of Japanese Applicants
1. Submitting a Report on the Implementation Status of Systems Specified in the Guidelines for Managing and Auditing Public Research Funds at Research Institutes
The contract for a project requires that each research institute submit a
report based on the reporting guidelines concerning the status of
development, implementation, and other aspects of management and audit
systems for research funds. (Research projects without a status report may
not be approved.)
For the aforementioned reason a status report must be submitted by
research institutes to the Office of Research Funding Administration,
Research and Coordination Division, Science and Technology Policy
Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
(MEXT) by Friday, October 31, 2008, using forms available from the
website at the following URL given below. (Research projects without the
status report will/may not be approved.)
URL: http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/02_b/07101216.htm
However, if a status report has already been submitted in conjunction with
applications for other projects or with other instances in or after April 2008,
there is no need to submit a new report. In this case, a letter (in any format)
indicating the date of the prior submission of the status report must be
enclosed with the application.
In addition, if the project continues during and after fiscal year 2010, our
plan Is to request the submission of another report in the fall of 2009.
Therefore, research institutes should heed announcements from MEXT and
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