Funding opportunities
In this section we gather funding opportunities from other actors that may be suitable for Japanese-Swedish collaborative projects. Please note that you apply directly through the funding agency responsible for each call and not through the MIRAI consortium.
Also, the applicants and countries vary depending on each call. Please share this possible grant information through your own network and consider together for considering various approaches to gain external research fundings.
JSPS: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
JSPS is recognized as Japan’s core funding agency supporting the advancement of scientific research in all fields. They have the Stockholm Office which was founded in 2001 to build robust international cooperative networks and to promote research collaborations between Japan and the Nordic and Baltic countries.
JSPS is providing various fellowship programs among Japanese and overseas researchers. Visit the following website to get more JSPS grants information.
JST: Japan Science and Technology Agency
JST aims to establish Japan as a nation built on the creativity of science and technology, as a core organization for implementing Japan’s science and technology policy in line with the objectives of the Science and Technology Basic Plan. They have the Paris Office which was established in 1984. It presently serves as the contact point in Europe for JST and for Japanese science and technology. As such, it provides support for the overseas extension of JST programs, collects and disseminates the latest information on science and technology in Europe, and engages in other such activities that advance Japanese science and technology as well as strengthen its presence.
Their funding schemes such as ASPIRE (Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem) program to fund top-level research and promote researcher mobility will be available at the following website.
https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/paris/Calls_for_proposals.html
AMED: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
AMED promotes integrated research and development in the field of medicine, from basic research to clinical trials. They opened its London Office in 2017 in London as a hub to strengthen collaboration with UK and the European countries in medical research and development, and it is renamed as London Liaison on 1 April 2022 and continues its activities.
AMED is also providing ASPIRE program as well as other research collaboration program. See details at the following website.
https://www.amed.go.jp/en/news/proposals.html
SJSF: Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation
SJSF is to enhance friendly relations between the five Nordic countries and Japan and to promote exchange between the peoples of the countries concerned, to increase international understanding and to attain peace in the world. They are providing grants and scholarships to organizations, institutions and individuals in the Nordic countries and Japan, both sides are able to apply for the grants as follows.
For the Japanese side: https://sjsf.se/local-pages/Japan/
For the Swedish side: https://sjsf.se/local-pages/sweden/
SJF: Sweden-Japan Foundation
SJF was established in 1971 and has assisted in promoting relations between Sweden and Japan. They are promoting a deeper and broader long-term exchange by giving young people the opportunity to visit Japan for studies, research or internship, such as scholarships for study, research and degree work and internship at university level in Japan. These scholarships are available for students and junior researchers from all universities and colleges in Sweden.
https://swedenjapan.se/sjf-scholarships/
VINNOVA
VINNOVA is Seden’s innovation agency that promotes intersectoral work by bringing together companies, researchers, the public sector, and civil society to advance and test innovative projects that aim for a sustainable future. They work in 8 areas that aim to contribute to a sustainable future:
- Sustainable industry
- Sustainable food systems
- Sustainable mobility
- Sustainable precision health
- Sustainable environments
- Digital transformation
- Ecosystems for innovative companies
- Emerging innovations
Within the above areas and with the aim of strengthening sustainable international collaborations, they also help applying for funding through EUs research and innovation program.
They have calls for proposals for projects within their scope of work on a rolling basis so do check regularly. Likewise, find step-by-step instructions to apply for their funding in the following link: Find the right funding | Vinnova
Previous grants…
STINT: Initiation Grants
Initiation grants are given for the implementation of short-term projects targeting the building of new and strategically interesting international relationships. Collaborations with partners outside the EU/EFTA are eligible. Applications may be submitted continuously throughout the year. Assessment of received applications starts on the following dates in 2022: 1 March, 17 May, 6 September and 15 November. Find the full call and application documents here: https://www.stint.se/en/program/initiation-grants/.
STINT: Mobility Grants for Internationalisation
The aim of Mobility Grants for Internationalisation is to strengthen Swedish research and higher education by developing and establishing international partnerships. The principal collaborating party shall be outside the EU/EFTA and the UK. It is of particular importance for young researchers and doctoral students to participate in the exchanges and new collaborative patterns are encouraged. Find the full call and application documents here: https://www.stint.se/en/program/mobility-grants-for-internationalisation/.
MIRAI2.0 – Joint seed funding of Japan-Sweden collaborative projects and short courses
To strengthen collaboration between Japan and Sweden in research, education, and innovation, MIRAI2.0 is launching seed funding to support promising collaborative initiatives. The objective is to encourage further development of existing and new collaborations between MIRAI2.0 member universities based on innovative projects and new ideas. This call is divided into two tracks, one for joint projects and the other for joint short courses for PhDs and postdocs.
The call will be open between 1 September and 1 December 2022.
Joint Projects:
Employees from MIRAI2.0 member universities will be able to jointly suggest a project in their field that has the potential to lead to e.g. externally funded research, jointly authored papers, larger scale collaborations, etc.
Up to 20 projects will be selected for funding. Each proposal will be funded with maximum of 67 000 SEK to Swedish project partners and a maximum of 400 000 JPY to Japanese project partners.
Short courses for PhDs and postdocs:
Employees from MIRAI2.0 member universities will be able to jointly suggest a short course for PhDs (doctoral students) and postdoctoral researchers, taught in English, to be organized during 2023.
Up to two (2) courses will be selected for funding. Each course will be funded with a maximum of 200 000 SEK or 2 687 000 JPY.
More information can be found in the call and application form below:
MIRAI2.0 Call for collaborative projects and short courses
Application form – MIRAI2.0 Joint Seed Funding Call_2022
Intsam travel grants to participate in R&I week 2022
Intsam, a coordinating group for Swedish governmental research funding bodies, now provides an opportunity to apply for travel grants to participate in MIRAI2.0 Research and Innovation week, November 15-18, Japan.
The call is open between 1 June and 1 September 2022.
The call is open for employees at Swedish universities, businesses, or public sector organisations who would like to participate in the conference and collaborate with partners in Japan. Participation can be combined with other activities planned in connection to the conference such as delegation visits in Tokyo and Fukuoka.
Maximum grant is SEK 25.000
The grant may be used to cover actual costs for travel (economy-class airfare and local transportation to/from airport) and accommodation.
Doctoral students, early career researchers and applicants from small and medium sized companies will be prioritized.
Application should be submitted no later than September 1st through this online form: https://sunet.artologik.net/gu/Survey/17940
More information may be found in the terms of reference below.
Terms of Reference
Utlysning (in swedish)
Template – Letter of Support
MIRAI2.0 – Joint seed funding of Japan-Sweden collaborative projects
To strengthen collaboration between Japan and Sweden in research, education, and innovation, MIRAI2.0 is launching a call for seed funding to support promising collaborative initiatives. The objective is to encourage further development of existing and new collaborations between MIRAI2.0 member universities based on innovative projects and new ideas.
The call will be open between 11 June and 1 November 2021.
Researchers from MIRAI2.0 member universities will be able to jointly suggest a project in their field that has the potential to lead to e.g. externally funded research, jointly authored papers, larger scale collaborations, joint programs, short course for PhD and Post-Docs etc.
Up to 30 projects will be selected for funding. Each proposal will be funded with maximum of 67 000 SEK to Swedish project partners and a maximum of 400 000 JPY to Japanese project partners.
More information may be found in the call and application form below:
MIRAI2.0 Call for Collaborative Projects
Application form – MIRAI2.0 Call for Collaborative Projects
Call for funding applications – Academia/Industry collaborations
Intsam, a coordinating group for Swedish governmental research funding bodies, now provides an opportunity to apply for funding available to initiate new collaborations between Sweden and Japan.
The call is open between 7 June and 17 September 2021.
The call is open for employees at Swedish universities, businesses, or public sector organisations who would like to collaborate with partners in Japan. The funding is aimed at collaboration projects that contribute towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thematic focus areas are:
- Ageing
- Sustainability
- Materials Science
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A requirement to apply for funding is that at least one member of the project team participates in the academia/industry matchmaking event on 10 June, 2021 or other relevant activity during the MIRAI2.0 Research and Innovation Week on 7–11 June, 2021.
Applicants may apply for funding for initiating a new collaboration project involving at least one Swedish and one Japanese partner. Each Swedish constellation must include at least one academic partner. Intsam gives priority to collaboration between different types of stakeholders, such as: businesses, academics, and public sectors.
The maximum grant awarded by Intsam is 90 000 SEK per application. Only the Swedish project partners may receive funding.
More information may be found in the terms of reference and application form below.
ToR – Call for funding applications
Utlysning (in Swedish)
Application form