Foreign collaborators
Does ISTC offer any assistance or have a list of Japanese academic institutions that are actively looking to join a proposal?
To ensure fairness for all applicants and to consider conflict of interest, ISTC does not provide assistance in identifying or matching applicants with Japanese collaborators. Applicants are expected to identify and establish collaboration with suitable partners independently, including through publicly available sources such as academic journals, networks and institutional websites etc.
Do the same requirements apply to "other countries in Europe, the US and beyond" as to collaborators from Japan?
Generally, yes. However, as this program is funded by the Japanese government, priority is given to collaborative research between the CAC research groups and the Japanese research groups, which must benefit the Japanese side in terms of research deliverables. This requires a measurable commitment from the Japanese research groups that goes beyond formal 'cooperation'.
Joint research frameworks
Does 'foreign collaborator' refer to collaborators from Japan only, or to all project participants, including those from Central Asian countries besides the Leading Institution?
Foreign collaborator” refers to collaborators from Japan as well as from other countries such as those in Europe and the United States. It does not include project participants from Central Asian countries.
May a single Summary Proposal include more than one Japanese research group (from different institutions), or is the Call structured around one Japanese partner per proposal?
It is possible to include more than one Japanese research group in a single proposal.
May a private technology company or a licensed industrial operator based in a CAC country be included in the project as an implementing entity?
A private technology company or a licensed industrial operator based in a CAC country may be included in the project as an implementing entity, not as a participating institution but as a subcontractor. However, the subcontracting shall require advance written approval of the ISTC in the course of the project implementation.
In the evaluation process, is a consortium that includes such a third-country partner (e.g., from the US) explicitly considered "more advantageous" compared to a bilateral consortium (CAC country + Japan)?
No. If multiple proposals are assessed as being of equivalent quality and scientific significance (including research methods and impact), those that include a partner from a third country will be given preference.
Priority research area
Does adapting a proven technology align with the objectives of this Call, or are you specifically seeking early-stage fundamental research?
The proposals expected to be covered by this call are not limited to fundamental research but also extend to applied research that will promote the commercialization of research findings by utilizing the background IP of the research team and the expected foreground IP to address the security issues prioritized in this call.
Does the research topic have to be strictly aligned with the thematic scope outlined in the Application Guidelines?
The scope outlined in the Application Guidelines (e.g. nuclear technologies in the 'Energy Security' research area) is just an example. Research proposals that demonstrate excellence and novelty in addressing the three thematic priorities (energy security, biosafety and biosecurity, and water safety and security) are welcome.
Our university is seeking project funding possibilities to equip a new laboratory within our facility. Can we apply for a grant under the Call for Joint Research Proposals?
This competition supports research projects that also include equipment but is not intended solely for the provision of laboratory equipment.
Intellectual property rights
How do the ISTC rules ensure the protection of our existing Background IP?
Under the Project Agreement to be concluded between ISTC and the Recipient, the Recipient's Background IPR will be retained by the owner. If the owner wishes to grant a license to use Background IPR to any party or participating institution, the Recipient may do so.
Does ISTC prescribe any specific rules regarding the ownership or transferring ownership of Foreground IP created under the project? Specifically, may the Leading Institution (university) contractually designate foreground IP rights to industrial implementing entities through a Joint Research Agreement or subcontract, while retaining a non-commercial academic license-back?
It is not prohibited by ISTC Statute Article 7 for the Recipient to transfer Foreground IP ownership to other entity. However, if Financing Entity requests so, Recipient (or designee) shall grant royalty-free exclusive license for commercial purposes to Financing Entity in its territory (Japan). Also, Recipient (or designee) is required to grant exclusive license for commercial purposes to a non-Financing Party of ISTC in such Party's territory, if such Party requests so, on fair and reasonable terms. Therefore, the agreement on IP ownership transfer between the Recipient and designee should contain the above-mentioned provisions. The article regarding Intellectual Property including above mentioned provisions will be stipulated in the Project Agreement to be concluded between ISTC and the Recipient after funding decision.
Requirements and eligibility
Is the Institution Concurrence Letter from the Japanese university/institute required?
The Participating Institution Concurrence (Annex 1) is required only from participating institutions (both leading and participating institutions) in CAC countries.
May one individual serves as Lead PI / Project Manager on more than one Summary Proposal submitted simultaneously under OCP 2026 by the same Leading Institution?
One individual can serve as Lead PI / Project Manager only on one proposal.
Is it absolutely necessary for the principal investigator and project manager to be the same person, or can these functions be distributed between two different participants?
The principal investigator and the project manager must be the same person. However, responsibilities can be distributed by assigning another team member as a scientific leader.
Budget
Does the maximum $250,000 budget cover the actual research and personnel costs for the Japanese team, or is it strictly for their travel expenses?
For the Japanese research team, the budget is not intended to cover personnel or core research costs. It may support specific collaboration-related expenses, including:
Travel costs for visits to leading institutions to conduct joint experiments and/or field surveys;
articipation in international conferences for joint presentations;
Article Processing Charges (APC) for joint publications.
Can a project lasting 24-30 months have a budget of $250,000, or is this discouraged?
This program allows up to USD 250,000 for up to 3 years. Requesting the maximum budget for a shorter duration requires justification and rational for financial resource allocation.
Can we include travel costs for Collaborator - research group from European country?
Yes, travel costs for collaborating research groups from European countries can be included.
