European Commission

The JST has issued a call for applications to its "Science and Entrepreneurship Development Program for Vigorous Researchers (SEED-V)".

The programme is to support the development of firms derived from research, utilising university venture business laboratories. Funding is available for 3 years maximum.

Overseas researchers are eligible as long as they are based at a Japanese research organisation and have sufficient Japanese language abilities.

Deadline: 5 June 2009.
Further information: JST (in Japanese).

On 15 April the Japan Science and Technology Agency and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) announced that they will jointly launch a call for applications in two areas of nano-electronics, with projects supported for a period of three to five years. The call is to be announced in May.

Further information: JST (in Japanese) and DFG.

RIKEN now accepts applications from academic and corporate researchers to use the NMR Facility and the NMR Structural Analysis Pipeline for preparation of NMR samples and tertiary structure determination.

Further information: RIKEN.
Deadline: 5 June

This call was announced by Cordis on 24 April. The Marie Curie Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) programme aims to develop partnerships between non-commercial and commercial organisations active in research (including universities, large and small enterprises, manufacturing industries), based on a common research project and aiming to increase skills exchange between the two sectors.

Applications are accepted in all areas, with no pre-defined priorities; grants will normally be funded for up to four years and industrial partners can be of any size.

A project under this scheme will include at least one participant from academia/the non-commercial sector and at least one participant from the commercial sector coming from at least two different member states and/or associated countries.

From Japan, participants would normally be expected to fund their own participation in the partnership, but would benefit from knowledge exchange. To provide an example:

An IAPP consortium is composed of an Italian engineering company, a Spanish university and a Japanese SME without funding. The project aims to exchange staff between Spain and Japan, and between Spain and Italy. The proposal is eligible in terms of numbers of participants and representation of the two sectors.

All researchers hosted in Italy and Spain would be fully funded. However, the Japanese company would have to fund the Spanish university staff it hosts. Thus, while no direct funding is provided to the Japanese company it will benefit from the scientific interaction and transfer-of-knowledge and could be invited to take part in partnership events, paid for from the EC budget of the hosting partner(s).

Further information: Cordis.
Deadline: 27 July

RISTEX, the Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society, has launched call for applications in three fields of social science research:

• Ecological co-habitation and non-global warming society
• Child safety from crime
• Interaction between science and society

Each programme has different application materials.
Further information: RISTEX (in Japanese). Deadline: 9 June

A Japan-Spain joint workshop on “Nanoscience and new materials” took place in Tokyo on 20 April, organised by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and Spanish Ministra de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN). Specialists from both countries gave presentations on their research activities, with Spanish delegates later visiting research organisations in Japan, such as the International Superconductivity Technology Center (ISTEC), and Tokyo University. The press release states that both countries will hereafter look to publish a joint collaborative research proposal in this field.

The 4th Japan-Sweden Joint Committee on Cooperation in Science and Technology met on 25 April to discuss cooperation in the life sciences, environment and nanotechnology; as well as learn about Swedish science and innovation policy. The meeting was attended by representatives from Sweden’s Ministry of Education and Research, the Swedish Research Council, the Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA), and other organisations; on the Japanese side by representatives from MOFA, MEXT, METI and the Cabinet Office.

• Science Scope the association for Francophone researchers in Japan will organise a “Women in Science” event on 21 June 2009.
• The European Research Council obtained 335 proposals for its call in the Social Sciences & Humanities Advanced Research Grant. In 2008, the acceptance rate in this field was 17.5%, but with a smaller number of applications.
• NISTEP has published survey results in English on the research activities and career awareness of Japanese postdocs.
• Hokkaido University has now established a technology licensing office (TLO). The office will aim to strengthen university-industry activity in Hokkaido, and will cooperate with other universities in the area, such as Muroran Institute of Technology, Kitami Institute of Technology, and Rukuno Gakuen University. There are now 47 such licensing offices at universities around Japan, with 9 of these based within a university.
• The JSPS launched a call under its Research Fellowship for Young Scientists (PD, DC2, DC1) and for those wishing to restart their academic careers (RPD). These schemes are only open to those with Japanese nationality or those who have permanent residency. Further information is available from the JSPS.

Earlier this month I (LW) spoke with Dr Tom Hope (TH) about his experience of organising and researching science cafés in Japan. Dr Hope has been involved in science cafés for a number of years and is a Director for Cafe Scientifique, which helps organise and publicise science cafe events mainly in the Tokyo region. Below is a transcript of our discussion.

LW: Could you tell us a little about the underlying concept for science cafés?

TH: Speak to different café organisers and you will no doubt get different replies, but if there is a common concept it is to help bring scientists and non-scientists together, and give them both a chance to air their views. The hope is that through doing these events, the public will gain a better understanding of what real science is like and greater understanding of scientific issues that affect them (whether they have thought of that before or not). Equally important is the hope that the scientists—and science itself—will get a better understanding of the public, increasing the sense of accountability.
The key difference between science café’s and other types of science communication events is that the aim is to provide a space where both the public and scientists can air their ideas, thoughts and concerns on an equal footing—it really is a deliberative idea of communication and understanding of science. As such, it is important that a science café takes place outside of the usual science communication spaces, hence the emphasis on hosting them in cafés, bars etc.

LW: Where and when did they first begin to appear? Was Japan an early adopter of the science café idea?

TH: Science Cafés originated in 1998 in the UK, along with a similar type of event in France. In the UK they are often known as ‘café scientifique’, the name given to the event by Duncan Dallas, who drew on the French ‘café philosophique’ idea. The principle stated on the Café scientifique network’s website(1), that it is a place where “for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can meet and discuss the latest ideas of science” holds true over ten years after the first café was held. After 1998 we saw a growth in the UK, and something of a boom has occurred around the world in last few years. There are now science cafés running in much of Western Europe, the USA, some of South America, Australia, and China. The growth of science cafes in Japan has been remarkable, seeing a dramatic spread up and down the country since we first introduced the format here in 2004.
We list many of the science cafés currently running in Japan on our website, http://www.cafescientifique.jp/

LW: Typically what will happen at a science café event?

TH: The format is quite flexible, but usually begins with some sort of short, informal talk given by a researcher. After a break to allow people to refill their drinks, other participants ask questions and give comments, which leads into a discussion that hopefully includes most people present. There is usually some sort of facilitator who will try to keep the discussion flowing and jump in should it seem to be excluding some people (or very occasionally becoming too ‘heated’). The science café itself often lasts around an hour and a half, though some of the more interesting discussions can actually happen afterwards, as people continue to talk about science and society until the closing time of the venue. Finally, some cafes now have a ‘virtual’ element, hosting science café discussion on websites.

LW: Who will typically attend a science café event?

TH: The events are open to any member of the public, though location can greatly affect who attends. Science cafés held near to universities tend to have more students, for example. At our own café in a suburb of Tokyo we have a mix of office workers, students, homemakers and retirees. I believe that aiming for as wide participation as possible is something that can help the objectives of the events. We certainly do not want to limit to one demographic the discussion of important issues of science and technology.

LW: Are they only at cafés or are other venues also in use?

TH: Though Café Scientifique started in a café-bar, where a relaxed atmosphere supported free discussion (helped no doubt by a little wine!), science cafes are now held in cafés, bars, museums, galleries, theatres, bookshops, and even outdoors. The only important consideration is that it be somewhere where the public can feel comfortable and debate is not stifled too much by official status or expertise. Indeed, it is this idea of taking science out of the laboratory and into public spaces that really defines the movement.

LW: How are they typically organised? If I wanted to organise a science café in Japan how would I do this? What about presentations in English?

TH: Though there are constant discussions about the best way improve science café’s, starting one is not at all difficult. Typically a few people will get together and be responsible for finding a venue, seeking out and contacting speakers and advertising the events. Though some cafés charge a small amount to cover venue costs, often the venue provides the space for free (usually a slow business day is chosen) and the only requirement will be that attendees buy one drink when they enter. It helps if you have some sort of contact with scientists so as to make finding speakers easier, but this is by no means always the case.

 

 

If you want to organize a café in Japan, simply begin by finding a venue and a speaker, and give it a go. There is no minimum attendee number, in fact it can be better to begin small and build up from there. It can help if the venue is local or known to you, as they are usually more open to the idea. Though by far most science cafés in Japan are in Japanese, there is no reason why they cannot include English presentations and discussions. I have attended cafés conducted in English, which were very successful. In fact I would like to see it develop more, as it would give the public the opportunity to interact with some of the great non-Japanese researchers we have here, and vice-versa.

LW: In your experience, do science cafés in Japan differ from those elsewhere? How are they different? (E.g. organisation? Is MEXT involved? Are participants mostly quiet?)

TH: In terms of organisation, Japanese science cafés do not differ greatly from those in other countries.
One of the difficulties we face in Japan is generating free and open discussion, and developing the sense that critical thinking about issues can be fruitful. This is a problem that has deep roots and the science café can be a method to encourage it. However, it is the case that discussion in some science cafés in Japan (and elsewhere) falls into question-answer formats more familiar to typical education settings. It is something organisers and facilitators have to be aware of, otherwise the science café, while still valuable, misses its aim somewhat.

LW: Have there been any assessments of science cafés and their effectiveness for increasing interest in science and technology? Are there any key factors?

TH: Many individual science cafés regularly survey their attendees to assess whether their knowledge of the topic at hand has increased after the event. Some researchers are studying the effectiveness of the format, though to date little has been published.

LW: How do you anticipate the future for science cafés? Are there any ideas that will become more popular or do you think other means of communicating and generating interest in science and technology will emerge?

TH: I think there is still room for the number of science cafés to expand and the idea still has a long way to go before (or if) it will run out of steam. I foresee a place for further development of cafes that incorporate both the hard sciences and arts. The idea has been done in some places with great success and can benefit both fields. There are still possibilities to introduce newer technologies into the events, especially in high-tech Japan, but I hope that the main focus and originality of science cafes does not get lost on the way.

Tom Hope is a Researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Visiting Professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS). For further information, he can be contacted at: tom.hope@aist.go.jp

1) http://www.cafescientifique.org

Drawing on the Essential Science IndicatorsSM database, Thompson Reuters published publication and citation rankings for Japanese research institutions over the period 1998-2008. The press release was published on 13 April.

For all publications, the University of Tokyo is ranked as 1st in Japan and 11th in the World, an improvement from 12th position last year. Kyoto University is 2nd in Japan and 30th in the World for citations. Amongst the other top ten institutions, these are the former imperial universities, and two national research organisations, the JST and Riken.

The table below shows national position, global ranking, number of citations, number of papers, and average number of citations.

Rank	Global Rank	Name	Citations	Publications	Av. Citations
1	11	Tokyo Univ.	984,934	72,683	13.55
2	30	Kyoto Univ.	684,431	53,017	12.91
3	34	Osaka Univ.	604,720	45,532	13.28
4	64	Tohoku Univ.	443,396	42,914	10.33
5	80	JST	392,578	21,677	18.11
6	108	Nagoya Univ.	317,667	28,496	11.15
7	120	Kyushu Univ.	291,159	29,663	9.82
8	134	Riken	275,262	17,546	15.69
9	144	Hokkaido Univ.	262,528	28,929	9.07
10	165	Tokyo Institute of Technology	243,218	25,214	9.60

 

The document released by Thompson Reuters also provides rankings by discipline.

For Materials Science, Tohoku University is top (1st in Japan; 3rd internationally) with 38,994 citations. Tohoku is followed by AIST (2nd nationally; 4th internationally) with 31,123 citations; NIMS (3rd nationally; 7th internationally) with 26,600 citations.

In Physics, Tokyo University is top (2nd internationally) with 190,987 citations. Tokyo is followed by Tohoku University (in 9th position internationally) with 128,555 citations; Osaka University is third nationally (22nd internationally) with 94,666 citations.

For Chemistry, Kyoto University (1st nationally; 4th internationally) with 128,841 citations is followed by Tokyo University (5th internationally) with 124,962 citations, and Osaka University (11th internationally) with 88,075 citations.

For Biology and Biochemistry, Tokyo University (1st nationally, 3rd internationally) obtains 130,010 citations; Kyoto University (2nd nationally; 26th internationally) obtains 87,035 citations; and Osaka University (3rd nationally; 28th internationally) obtains 76,878 citations.
Other points noted are that the performance as measured by average number of citations in the above four fields have increased overall since the last assessment. There are no real changes in the positions of institutions in the rankings. The performance of the national research laboratories such as AIST, Riken, and JST has improved.

The press release from Thompson Reuters is available (in Japanese) at this link.

Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Taro Aso, visited Europe for the 18th EU-Japan Summit in the early part of May meeting Mr. Václav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic and current holder of the EU’s rotating Presidency, as well as Dr Javier Solana, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.

The press release published in Prague on 4 May sets out the main points of the meeting, which covered a broad range of topics including the millennium development goals, the financial crisis, and the environment, which was one of the most important topics of the discussion. For the environment the following key points were addressed:

• Transfer, diffusion and stimulation of technologies and practices to prompt the transition to a low-carbon society.
• Emphasis of the importance of continued bilateral cooperation on energy security, sustainable energy policies and energy technologies.

With regard to science and technology, the leaders made what is possibly the first public reference to a new science and technology agreement between the EU and Japan where:

“they welcomed the initialing of the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Japan on Cooperation in Science and Technology on 19 February 2009 and reaffirmed their intention of working closely towards signature and entry into force at the earliest possible opportunity”.

Regarding intellectual property, summit leaders took positive note of further progress in the implementation of the 2007 EU-Japan Action Plan on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Protection and Enforcement, renewing their determination to pursue close cooperation on IPR at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

Summit leaders also reiterated the importance of continuing and reinforcing higher education cooperation by supporting joint academic cooperation and student mobility projects.

Further information is available from the Delegation of the European Union to Japan.

On 27 April, the Strategic Space Development Committee within the Japanese Cabinet Office published a draft 5 year plan for developing Japan’s space policy, drawing on passage of the Basic Space Law passed in May, 2008.

Japan has been involved in space activities since 1955, when Professor Itokawa from Tokyo University launched the Pencil Rocket, yet until now there has not been any comprehensive strategic national policy, and Japan has had limited success in commercial space activities, with decreasing international industrial competitiveness witnessed through decreased sales over the past ten years and reduced employment in this sector. These trends are identified as foreboding an impending crisis.

As Myokan has explained in a paper on this topic (2008), over the 1990s there was a strong push by industry to strengthen Japan’s space activities, and in 2005 politicians began to look seriously at this issue through a specialist study group that was established. As Myoken notes, the study group “insisted that Japan’s space sector was far behind other competitive countries and needed to have strong strategies and a clear institutional agreement” (2008: 4). From this, in 2007 a Basic Space Law began to be drafted by members of the LDP and New Komeito Party.

The Basic Science Law was passed last year and saw the Strategic Space Development Committee established within the Cabinet Office (chaired by the Prime Minister), as well as the commitment to draft a strategic outline for the space sector. Since October last year, this committee has held regular monthly meetings where it has sought to outline the type of strategy to produce. The documents released on 27 April are the fruition of these meetings and are intended for use as public consultation.

The draft plan includes the creation of six directions for guiding the utilisation of space, and the identification of research and development programmes to be promoted.

Regarding space utilisation, the six basic directions concern: 1). The safe use of space for social prosperity; 2) the enhancement of security by using space; 3) promotion of space diplomacy; 4) the promotion of research and development for a vibrant future; 5) the nurturing of strategic 21st century industries; 6) environmental considerations.
With these in mind, the government will then comprehensively and systematically implement schemes for the promotion of Japan’s use of space. This includes nine system programmes, including five that concern utilisation systems; and four that concern research and development.

For the utilisation systems: a). land and sea observation satellite observation systems that will contribute to Asia, allowing for information dispersal regarding natural disasters, land management systems, food supply, resource and energy use; b) global observation and weather systems, for public safety, food supplies, resolution of global scale environmental problems; c) high speed information communication satellite systems; d) satellite positioning systems; e) satellite system for the purpose of security.

The proposed R&D programmes include objectives and social needs over a ten year period, with priorities and objectives set for the first five years. The ten year objectives are for:

• A space science programme for stimulating top-level scientific and space astronomy research, as well as engineering research for use in space activities;
• Manned space programmes to perform research into issues of societal importance; to improve quality of life, health and longevity; to take the lead internationally in producing scientific results (through the accumulation of knowledge and expansion of human activity);
• Research into photovoltaic power generation from space, which will support objectives towards the realization of a low carbon society;
• Realisation of a small satellite programme, for continuously fostering industrial development and firm creation and employment growth.

Following publication of this draft outline, the Committee will respond to public comments towards the end of May 2009.

Further information is available from the Cabinet Office (in Japanese).

Background information on the Basic Space Law (in English) is outlined by Myoken, Y., (2008), The Bill of Basic Space Law, British Embassy, April

We have received the following information regarding scientific events occurring over May, June and July. Please contact us if you would like to notify us of an event.

Date	Theme	Institution	Location
16/05	Japan Geoscience Union Meeting	Makuhari Messe	Chiba
21/05	Advanced CNT Applications Network Workshop	Fraunhofer Institute	Tokyo
24-26/05	Robomec 2009 in Fukuoka	Fukuoka Int. Congress Centre	Fukuoka
29/05	Lunch Seminar on the Japanese Economy: “Japanese Innovation Policy: Between Theory and Practice”	Maison Franco Japonaise	Tokyo
06-07/06	The 2nd Mini-ICCG Japan The 2nd International Symposium on Advanced Technology of Coatings on Glass and Plastic Materials	Aoyama Gakuin Univ.	Tokyo
09-10/06	2nd German-Japanese Environment Dialog Forum Efficient energy supply, storage and use as keys to climate protection	Tokyo International Forum	Tokyo
11/06	National Innovation System, Competition and Cooperation: the Patent System in Next Generation	Kyoto University	Kyoto
23-24/06	AIST Open Day (Chubu Center)	AIST	Aichi
24-26/06	Renewable Energy 2009 Tokyo Fair	Makuhari Messe	Chiba
24-26/06	PVJapan 2009 (photovoltaics)	Makuhari Messe	Chiba
9-10/07	5th RCAI-JSI International Symposium on Immunology 2009 “Cellular and Genetic View on Autoimmunity”	Pacifico Yokohama	Kanagawa
21-24/07	NIMS Week “Nanobio- materials and technologies: breakthrough for future medicine”	Tsukuba Int. Congress Center	Tsukuba
23-24/07	Biofuels World 2009	Pacifico Yokohama	Kanagawa
29-31/07	Exhibition Micromachine/MEMS 2009	Tokyo Big Sight	Tokyo

Grants and Fellowships for international collaboration, or to return to Europe

Deadline	Call Outline and Link to Further Information
17/06	Royal Society International Joint Projects (Round 2) (UK-Overseas)
27/07	Marie Curie Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP)
15/08	EMBO Long Term Fellowships (in Germany) European Molecular Biology Organization - European nationality requirements, >3yrs postdoctoral experience, first author publication.
18/08	International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) (Overseas → Europe) Marie Curie – Individual fellowships that aim to attract top-class researchers from outside Europe to work and undertake research and transfer of knowledge in Europe
18/08	International Outgoing Fellowships for Career Development (IOF) (Europe → Overseas) Marie Curie - Providing Europe based researchers with at least 4 years post-PhD experience the opportunity to perform research in another country
31/12	Marie Curie Reintegration Grant (Overseas → Europe)

 

See also Euraxess Jobs for 784 advertised positions; see further below for other travel, fellowship, and collaboration grants.

Deadline	Call Outline and Link to Further Information
15/05	Start-up Grant for Younger Researchers (in Japan) For young researchers to establish their own independent research (JSPS Grant-in-Aid Programme).
15/05	Research Scientist at Global Change Projection Research Program Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
19/05	CREST – JST (in Japan) Basic research for creating innovative technology seeds that lead to further development of science and technology and help new industries emerge.
29/05	RIKEN – Special Postdoctoral Researcher (in Japan) Providing young and creative scientists with the opportunity to be involved in autonomous and independent research. ***Notification for desire to apply should be sent by 15 May***
29/05	Senior Post Doctoral Fellow Japan Atomic Energy Agency - Fusion Research and Development Directorate
30/05	RIKEN – Special Postdoctoral Researcher (in Japan) For young and creative scientists to be involved in autonomous and independent research
05/06	Science and Entrepreneurship Development Program for Vigorous Researchers (SEED-V)
05/06	Award for Eminent Scientists (Overseas → Japan) JSPS - For inviting eminent scientists to Japan
13/06	RIKEN – Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher (in Japan) For non-Japanese researcher, with a doctoral degree in the natural sciences from 2001 onwards
30/06	Permanent Researcher (any field of materials science) National Institute for Materials Science
various	Postdoctoral and Research Positions RIKEN, Wako, Tsukuba. Various open positions in brain science, computational sciences, materials. Numerous positions.
various	Researchers National Institute for Materials Science
various	Research Positions National Institute of Physiological Sciences

 

See also J-Recin for 1,324 advertised positions, or 93 positions advertised in English.

Programmes for promoting international collaboration or research visits to Europe

Austria

• Erwin Schrödinger Fellowships
  FWF Austrian Science Fund - Continuous Recruitment. For Austrians to work in foreign research institutions. <34 Years old or 4 years postdoc experience, 10-24 months duration.
• Lise Meitner Program
  FWF Austrian Science Fund. Continuous Recruitment; for scientists from abroad, no age limit, invitation from Austrian institution, 12-24 month duration.

Belgium

• Visiting Postdoctoral Fellowships
  FWO - For foreign postdocs for 3-12 months continuous stay. Application: no later than 3 months prior to stay, no earlier than 6 months.
• Medical Research Fellowships
  European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Brussels. Medical research fellowships in statistics, leukemia, epidemiology, radiotherapy.

Finland

• Preparation of international cooperation projects
  Academy of Finland - Applications for funding can be submitted throughout the year, except in November.

France

• Postdoctoral Positions
  Centre national de la Recherche Scientifique. To be advertised from March. Contact laboratory between March and June.
• Engineering Positions
  Centre national de la Recherche Scientifique. Provisional calendar for 2009: 10 July Deadline.

Germany

• International Travel/Research Visits
  DFG – Continuous Call - for German researchers in Germany.
• International Conferences
  DFG – one year prior to conference - for German researchers in Germany
• Mercator Visiting Professorships
  DFG - Invitation fellowships for professors from overseas universities
• Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers
  AvH - For researchers from abroad with above average qualifications, at the beginning of their academic career and doctorate completed in last four years.
• Humboldt Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers
  AvH - Continuous Call. For researchers from abroad.

Holland

• Innovational Research Incentives Scheme
  NWO – Individual Researchers opportunity to develop own research programme.

Ireland

• President of Ireland Young Researcher Award (PIYRA)
  SFI – Continuous Call. Award to recruit young researchers in science and engineering currently based around the world to carry out their research in institutions in Ireland. PhD received within last eight years; demonstrated research accomplishments. Position lasts up to five years.
• International Research Partnering Supplements
  SFI - Continuous Call
  Facilitates collaborations between SFI funded researchers and international scientists.

Italy

• JSPS Short-Term/Long-Term Grants
  For Italian researchers to come to Japan. Applications accepted in September and May.
• Postdoc in theoretical/computational physics/chemistry
  National Nanotechnology Laboratories. 4 year position. Deadline: 31/05

Marie Curie (European Union)

People Programme

• Marie Curie Reintegration Grants
  For Experienced European researchers to return to Europe. Deadline: 31 December

Cooperation Programmes⁽²⁾

 

• Information and Communication Technologies (2 Open calls)
• Energy (2 Open calls)

Norway

• Grants for Research Stays in Norway
  Research Council of Norway: For young researchers and PhD students from 25 countries, including most European and Japan. Deadline: 22 April 2009
• Japanese-Norway Mobility Programme
  Research Council of Norway and JSPS:
  Short term and long term stays for Japanese researchers.

Poland

• NESTOR Programme
  FNP - Short visits for Eminent retired professors to visit Polish research centres

Portugal

• Sabbatical Leave Grants – Continuous Call
  Funding for 3 months to 1 year at a foreign institution (for Portuguese scientists).

Sweden

• Conference Grant
  Natural and Engineering Sciences. To invite overseas researchers to Sweden. Application 2 months prior to conference.
• Travel Grant (Natural and Engineering Sciences)
  To attend a lecture or invite a guest scientist to a Swedish institution.

Switzerland

• Individual Short Research Visits
  Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) – 2 months prior to departure. For Swiss Nationals.
• Exchange Programmes
  Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF); for Swiss nationals to travel overseas: up to 12 months in Japan (long stay), 3 months (short stay). Application 4 months prior to intended visit.
• Various postdoctoral/PhD positions
  Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research

UK

• International Scientific Interchange Scheme (ISIS)
  BBSRC – Continuous Call
  To help UK scientists add an international dimension to their BBSRC funded research by making and establishing new contacts with international counterpart. Applications at least 6 weeks prior to travel.
• Overseas Travel Grants
  EPSRC – Continuous Call
  Overseas travel grants provide funding for international travel and subsistence. You can use them to visit recognized non-UK centres to study new techniques and to travel from the UK to start or develop international collaborations. Not solely for conference attendance. (Engineering and Physical Sciences)
• Visiting Researchers
  EPSRC. Salary costs and travel subsistence for scientists and engineers of acknowledged standing, either from within the UK or abroad, to visit the investigator's organization. Applications made by UK hosts.

European Space Agency

• Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
  Continuous Call. For ESA member country nationals; other nationals under certain circumstances.

European Molecular Biology Organization

• Short Term Fellowships
  Intended for visits of up to 3 months duration and aimed at collaborative research between EMBC member states or between a member state and a non-member state.

2) As a rule, these programmes generally require Japan + three partners in different EU countries; or, Japan + 1 EU partner + 1 associated country partner. In principle, there is no funding from the EU.

For research careers in Europe, please refer to the EURAXESS jobs pages.

• Total Jobs advertised: 784 Jobs
• Current Marie Curie positions advertised: 229 Positions

For research careers in Japan, please refer to the J-Recin pages.

• Total Jobs advertised: 1,324 Jobs
  Total Jobs advertised in English: 93 Jobs

EURAXESS Links Japan is a network of European researchers, scientists and scholars throughout Japan. This multidisciplinary network includes members at all stages of their careers. It allows them to connect with each other and with Europe - ensuring that they are recognized as an important resource for European research, whether they remain in Japan or return to Europe.

For further information, please see the EURAXESS Links Japan homepage.

EURAXESS LINKS Japan Newsletter is a monthly electronic newsletter that provides information of specific interest to European researchers based in Japan.

We are currently mailing this newsletter out to around 700 researchers in Europe and Japan, with further downloads from the homepage and the Sinapse community.

We are very keen to be as open and receptive to information as possible and welcome all forms of correspondence, whether to alert us to an event, corrections, a job posting, research results or otherwise.

If you would like to subscribe/unsubscribe, or to alert us to your new contact details, please send these to us at the address below.

Lee Woolgar

Information Officer
EURAXESS Links Japan
Lee.woolgar@euraxess.net

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