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Euraxess Links JapanMarch 2011

Issue Number 29

Welcome Message Welcome to the March edition of the Euraxess Links Japan Newsletter. For calls, there is a mixture of European and Japanese announcements, with slightly more in Europe than Japan this month. Highlights from Europe include the Marie Curie schemes which have now been opened. Other European schemes include openings in Spain, Switzerland, and exchange opportunities with the UK. In Japan, highlights include the FPD and Initiative Research Leader schemes at RIKEN. There are also the Hakubi scheme, international conference grants, and other schemes.With event announcements, most of those that were advertised last month were either cancelled or postponed in light of recent events. We have updated the information where relevant and available. Overall, there has been a drastic reduction in the number events throughout Japan, with only a few new announcements published. For the call results this month, we step back to take a macro view of the EU’s 7th Framework Programme and Japan’s Grant-in-Aid programmes. FP7 has been subject to a recent interim assessment. Generally favourable, the evaluation shows the main recipients and participants, as well as putting forward some recommendations. In Japan, the JSPS have published their annual pamphlet on trends in grant-in-aid awards. We provide a brief summary of this, noting the stable acceptance ratio, but the large jump in funding that has occurred recently. Similar to the last edition, we report on recent agreements and developments regarding bilateral relations between European and Japanese institutions. We note the opening symposium for the new office of Kobe University in Brussels. We also note some of the other developments that have taken place. Similar to the scientific and research events, the tsunami and nuclear situation are having a broader effect on science and technology policy. The Japanese government have postponed publication of the much anticipated 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan as they now undertake an assessment of the priorities for a revised plan. Elsewhere, we report on the ratification of the S&T Agreement between the EU and Japan, trends in the age and profile of faculty at Japan’s universities, and a recent conference held in Cyprus regarding the Euraxess initiative. On this latter topic, we note likely shape of the future development of the initiative. In hoping that you have enjoyed the cherry blossoms, and with very best wishes,

Lee

About Euraxess Links Japan

EURAXESS LINKS Japan provide a monthly electronic newsletter that seeks to provide information on calls, job and collaboration opportunities in and between Europe and Japan. We currently mail this newsletter to over 1000 researchers, and European and Japanese funding & scientific representatives.Please send an email to alert us to any events, news developments, corrections, job postings, research results or otherwise, preferably before the 13th of every month. If you would like to subscribe/unsubscribe, or to alert us to your new contact details, please send these to the address below. Lee Woolgar Information Officer Lee.woolgar@euraxess.net; Lee.woolgar@gmail.com

Contents

Recent Calls 4

- Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships! 4- Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowships! 4- Marie Curie Career Integration Grants! 4- European Food Safety Committee and Panel Members! 4- Euraxess Jobs Portal! 4- France: CEA Eurotalents! 4- France-Japan: Programme de coopération exceptionnelle avec le Japon! 5- Holland: Visiting Professors Programme (VPP)! 5- Italy in Japan Proposals! 5- Japan: Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher (RIKEN)! 5- Japan: G30 at Nagoya University! 5- Japan: Hakubi Project! 5- Japan: Initiative Research Leader (RIKEN)! 6- Japan: International Conferences! 6- Japan: JREC-IN and Other Openings! 6- Japan: I²CNER! 6- Japan: National Institute of Informatics! 6- Japan: Positions at RIKEN! 6- Japan: Research Fellowship for Young Scientists! 6- Spain: ICREA Senior Positions! 6- Spain-Japan Collaboration in the Nanotechnology field! 6- Spain: AMAROUT Fellowships! 7- Switzerland: Swiss Foundation for Excellence in Biomedical Research! 7- UK: Royal Society International Exchanges! 7- United National University -IAS Openings! 7- Final Calls: Calls Highlighted in Recent Newsletters! 7

Event Announcements 8

- EU-Japan Collaboration in Energy and Material Sciences: 2nd J-BILAT Seminar! 8- Eurasiapac and J-Bilat Seminars on FP7! 8- Association of Japanese Business Studies! 8- Deans Forum on Engineering! 8- Death of Massive Stars: Supernovae and Gamma-Ray Bursts! 8- ECO-MATES 2011! 8- International Research Program for the Advancement of Women in Leadership! 8- International Symposium: Dynamism of Immune Reactions and Regulations! 9- ISETS: International Symposium on EcoTopia Science 2011! 9- Japanese Geeky-Girly Innovation and Subculture-Inspired Technology and Design! 9- Maison Franco Japonaise Events! 9- Life Science Network Symposium! 9- RIKEN Chemical Biology Symposium! 9

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- TAMC2011! 9- UNU-IAS Seminar on Renewable Energy! 9

Call Results & Programme Evaluations 10

- Interim Evaluation of FP7! 10- Grants-in-Aid Awards in 2011! 11

Universities & Research Institutes 13

- Kobe University hold formal opening symposium at new Brussels Office! 13- OIST Applies for University Status! 13- New Institutional Agreements between Europe and Japan! 14

Consultations 15

- New Name for EU Research and Innovation Programme: You Name it!! 15- 2011 Funding Guide Booklet! 15- Green Paper & Consultation on EU Research Funding! 15

News and Developments 16

- Nippon Science Support Network! 16- Ratification of the Science and Technology Agreement! 16- DG INFSO Visit Japan: Reviewing Options for ICT Collaboration! 16- Faculty Trends in Japan’s Universities! 17- Japan’s 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan: Postponed until Summer! 19- Euraxess and Euraxess Links: Recent Conference in Cyprus! 20

List of S&T Events in Japan 23

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Recent Calls

Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships

Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) are for researchers who are from Third Countries (e.g. Japan) allowing them to work on projects in Europe. The duration of the fellowships is 12-24 months. All topics of research are eligible (with the exception of topics covered by EURATOM).

Deadline: 11 August Further Information: Cordis

Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowships

Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) are for researchers who are nationals of EU Member States and Associated Countries.

They provide the opportunity to spend an initial outgoing phase of 1-2 years in a Third Country (e.g. Japan) followed by a mandatory reintegration phase of 1 year.

All topics of research are eligible (with the exception of topics covered by EURATOM).

Deadline: 11 August

Further Information: Cordis

Marie Curie Career Integration Grants

Marie Curie Career Integration Grants are intended to improve the prospects for the permanent integration of researchers who are offered a stable research post in Europe after a period of mobility. Aimed at experienced researchers (with at least 4 years full-time postgraduate research experience or a doctoral degree) of any nationality who have spent less than 12 months of the last 3 years outside the country of their proposed host organisation.

The applicant should apply with the proposed host organisation. Deadline: 6 September Further Information: Cordis

European Food Safety Committee and Panel

Members The EFSA have issued a call for new members of their scientific and committees. for their all

The EFSA is the European Union’s scientific risk assessment body on food and feed safety, nutrition, animal health and welfare, and plant health and

protection, tackling issues all along the food chain.Members’ should be EU, European Free Trade Association or Candidate Country nationals, with at least 10 years professional experience. Third country nationals may also apply but will only be considered if there is not enough expertise from those regions mentioned above.

Deadline: 31 May Further Information: EFSA

Euraxess Jobs Portal

The Euraxess Jobs portal is currently advertising 4,937 research jobs, and 315 Fellowships throughout Europe. Please check: Euraxess Links Jobs

France: CEA Eurotalents

'CEA Eurotalents' program, is a European Commission co-funded program aimed at increasing and facilitating international mobility of scientists in five research domains: - Microelectronics,

nanosciences and nanotechnologies

- Energy, environment and climate change

Recent Calls

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- Science and technology of high performance computing

- Life sciences and biotechnology

- High energy physics, high energy density physics and astrophysics

Currently the Incoming CEA Fellowship is open. Applicants should have 4 years post Master experience, and be non-French citizens; or have not resided in France for the past 12 months. Duration 1 or 2 years.

Deadline: 30 June Further Information: CEA

France-Japan: Programme de coopération

exceptionnelle avec le Japon

This programme is aimed at teachers, researchers and students in Japan based at Japanese institutions affected by the tsunami on 11 March. Further Information: Maison Franco Japonaise

Holland: Visiting Professors Programme

(VPP)

This call is to be announced in April with a deadline in September. The programme enables outstanding foreign professors to spend time working in the Netherlands.

Deadline: 15 September Further Information: KNAW

Italy in Japan Proposals

Call for participants for a series of events in Autumn 2011. The event aims to comprehensively promote Italy in Japan, such as Italian business, science and culture.

Deadline for proposals: 30 April Further Information: Italian Embassy S&T Office

Japan: Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher

(RIKEN)

RIKEN opened calls for their Foreign Postdoctoral Researcher Programme on 28 March.

This programme offers aspiring young foreign researchers with creative ideas and who show promise of becoming internationally active in the future the opportunity to pursue innovative research at RIKEN under the direction of a RIKEN laboratory head.Relevant fields: Physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering, and any other fields related to research now being conducted at RIKEN. Applicants should have a PhD,

Application Registration Deadline: 20 MayFurther Information: RIKEN

Japan: G30 at Nagoya University

Nagoya University are advertising positions in their G30 programmes. These are as follows: - International Graduate

Program in Biological Science - Deadline: 2 May

- Graduate Program in Fundamental and Applied Physics - Deadline: 18 April

Further Information: Nagoya University

Japan: Hakubi Project

Kyoto University have opened applications under their Hakubi Project. The call was published on 25 March.

The project is to foster and support young researchers. All fields of research are eligible. Applicants should possess a PhD . All nationalities are also welcome to apply. 20 positions are open.

Kyoto University will organise a briefing seminar to provide further information on the project. This will be in Tokyo on 19 April.

Deadline: 26 May

Further Information: Kyoto University

Recent Calls

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Japan: Initiative Research Leader (RIKEN)

RIKEN have opened a call for their Initiative Research Leader Programme.

This programme allows for young scientists with outstanding, internationally recognized achievements the opportunity to pursue independent, interdisciplinary research of their own design. Deadline: 30 June

Further Information: RIKEN

Japan: International Conferences

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) are providing funds to support the organisation of international conferences. Conferences should be organised between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013.

All fields of research are eligible. Deadline: 6 May

Further Information: JSPS

Japan: JREC-IN and Other Openings

The Japan Research Career Information Network (JREC-In) is currently advertising 87 positions in English and 1,349 in Japanese.Further Information: JREC-IN

Japan: I²CNER

Kyushu University’s new WPI, the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I²CNER) are seeking applicants for open-rank faculty and post-doctoral research associates.

Deadline: 8 June Further Information: I²CNER

Japan: National Institute of Informatics

NII are advertising several positions at Associate or Assistant Professor levels.Deadline: 30 June

Further Information: NII

Japan: Positions at RIKEN

RIKEN have numerous openings at their various centres. Some highlights include the following: - Carninci Lab (Functional

Genomics) (deadline: until filled)

- Brain Science Institute Positions (Research & Technical Assistant positions)

See the RIKEN Career Opportunities page for the full list of openings.

Japan: Research Fellowship for Young Scientists

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science have opened the call for the Research Fellowship for Young Scientists. If you are a Doctoral School graduate of a Japanese university you are eligible to apply for this scheme.

Deadline: 6 JulyFurther Information: JSPS

Spain: ICREA Senior Positions

The Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) have opened positions for 20 senior positions. Candidates should have a PhD, preferably obtained before 2007. Only very strong candidates with an outstanding research record and excellent leadership capabilities will be considered.  

Deadline: 2 May Further Information: ICREA

Spain-Japan Collaboration in the Nanotechnology

field

The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) have opened their third joint call for proposals in

Recent Calls

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the field of “nanoscience and novel/emerging materials”. Deadline: 10 May

Further Information: JST

Spain: AMAROUT Fellowships

AMAROUT Europe is a Marie Curie Action to attract research talent to the Madrid Region, at the Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies.

Fellows must have at least 4 years of experience, with a PhD. Very experienced fellows must have more than 10 years experience. Relevant fields: energy, food sciences, materials, nanotechnology, networks, social sciences, software, and water. Salary levels: Experienced fellows: €48,775; Very Experienced Fellows: €76,667.

Deadline: Quarterly cut-off dates

Further Information: IMDEA

Switzerland: Swiss Foundation for Excellence

in Biomedical Research

Stipends are available for postdocs to help cover the costs of a lecture tour in Switzerland. Candidates should be qualified to pursue an academic career, and should preferably have a connection with Switzerland.

Forthcoming Deadline: 30 April / 31 July Further Information: Swiss Foundation

UK: Royal Society International Exchanges

The Royal Society have opened calls for their International Exchange Scheme. This scheme is for UK scientists who want to collaborate with scientists overseas, either through a one-off visit or bilateral travel.

Both the UK and overseas applicants must possess a PhD, and hold a fixed or permanent position.

All countries outside of the UK are eligible.

Deadline: 30 June

Further Information: Royal Society

United National University -IAS Openings

The Institute of Advanced Studies at the United Nations University, based in Yokohama, have the following openings:

- Research Fellow for Science and Technology for Sustainable Societies (Deadline Extended: 9 May);

- Research Fellow for Marine Governance/Coastal Management (deadline: Until FIlled)

- Satoyama Initiative - invites internship applicants who can contribute website development support and data collection assistance

Further Information: UNU-IAS

Final Calls: Calls Highlighted in Recent

Newsletters

Below, calls featured in recent newsletters that are still open. Prior coverage can also be found in past newsletters.

‣ Anneliese Maier Research Award (social sciences and humanities (Germany), Deadline: 31 May

‣ Alain Bensoussan Fellowship ERCIM, (Informatics and mathematics), Deadline: 30 April

‣ AXA Research, Deadline: 23 May

‣ Erasmus Mundus, Deadline: 29 April

‣ President of Ireland Young Researcher Award - Science Foundation (Ireland), Rolling Call from 14 February

‣ Professorship in Japanese studies with a focus on History or Society (Heidelberg University - Deadline: 30 April)

‣ Yamazaki-Teichi Prize - MST, Deadline: End April

Recent Calls

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Event Announcements

EU-Japan Collaboration in Energy and Material

Sciences: 2nd J-BILAT Seminar

This is the 2nd Best Practice Sharing Workshop on Energy, nanotechnologies, Materialsand Production Technologies, detailed presentations of the relevant programmes of FP7 (Cooperation, People, ERC, etc) will be given and the audience as well as speakers will be invited for a discussion of the potential and outlook of the EU-dJapan cooperation.

The event is organised by J-Bilat, with co-organisation from Kyushu University, and the EU Institute in Japan in Kyushu. The event is targeted to researchers and research managers from the public/private sectors, funding agencies and other organisations.

Date: 25th May 2011 (Wed), 14:00 – 18:00 (registration starts at 13:30)Location: Room 606, Acros Fukuoka

Eurasiapac and J-Bilat Seminars on FP7

Two seminars will take place regarding FP7 Programmes. The EURASIAPAC event will

be focusing more on policy dialogues and introduction of available schemes; the J-BILAT Event will be a best practice sharing workshop with  detailed exchange of information and discussion, with speakers who have been involved in Framework Programme projects.

Date: 15 March Postponed until further notice

Location: Nomura Conference Plaza Nihonbashi, Tokyo. 

Further Information: J-Bilat / Eurasiapac

Association of Japanese Business Studies

Annual meeting of the AJBS in cooperation with the Academy of International Business. Date: 24-8 June

Location: Nagoya. Further Information: AJBS

Deans Forum on Engineering

The Deans of Engineering at prestigious universities will hold a meeting at the University of Tokyo on 28-9 March. Representatives are from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ), Imperial College London, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and UC Berkeley.

Date: 28-9 March Postponed until further notice

Further Information and registration: Tokyo University Faculty of Engineering

Death of Massive Stars: Supernovae and Gamma-Ray

BurstsInternational conference looking at the death of massive stars, drawing on new results and looking at new developments in the field.

Date: 18-22 April Postponed until SeptemberLocation: Nikko, Japan

Further Information: TITECH

ECO-MATES 2011Discussion of the next generation eco-materials and eco-technological innovations in all industrial fields.Deadline for abstracts: 30 April Further Information: Casi at Osaka University

International Research Program for the

Advancement of Women in Leadership

Event featuring talks from women from German, US and Japanese institutions. To take place at Ochanomizu University. Date: 26 March Postponed until further notice

Event Announcements

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Further information and registration: Ochanomizu University

International Symposium: Dynamism of Immune

Reactions and Regulations

Event organised by the Immunology Frontier Research Center WPI at Osaka University. Dates: 2-3 May Cancelled

Location: Osaka Further Information: IFREC

ISETS: International Symposium on EcoTopia

Science 2011

This Symposium is the forth meeting following the International Symposium on EcoTopia Science 2005 (ISETS05) held in 2005. Abstract Submission: 31 August

Date: 9-11 December 2011

Location: Nagoya University

Further Information: Nagoya University

Japanese Geeky-Girly Innovation and Subculture-Inspired Technology and

Design

Event organised by the European Institute of Japanese Studies (EIJS). The talk will be given by Mr Morinosuke Kawaguchi, from A.D. Little, Japan. Date: 19 April (from 18:30)

Further Information: EBC

Maison Franco Japonaise Events

The MFJ will host the following events over April:

The Symposium: “Migrations et frontières” will take place on 16 April at the Komaba Campus of the University of Tokyo.

A lunch seminar on “How Young Japanese are Choosing their Future Life through University Entrance Examinations”, will be given by Professor Takashi Inoguchi (University of Tokyo) with Professor Marc HUMBERT as the discussant. Pre-Registration Required. Date: 12:30-2pm, 20 April

Further Information: MFJ

Life Science Network Symposium

Event taking place at the Hongo Campus of Tokyo University on 4 June. Further Information: Tokyo University

RIKEN Chemical Biology Symposium

This event is organised by RIKEN and will focus on next generational tools for molecular target recovery.

Abstracts for posters and talks will be accepted until 15 April. Abstracts for posters: 29 April.Date of Symposium: 2-3 June

Location: RIKEN Wako CampusFurther Information: RIKEN

TAMC2011

The 8th Annual Conference on Theory and Applications of Models of Computation will be held in Tokyo in May.

The main themes of the conference are computability, complexity, and algorithms.

Date: 23-25 May.

Further Information: TAMC2011

UNU-IAS Seminar on Renewable Energy

Seminar held at the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies, entitled: “Renewable energy as a Substitute to Nuclear Energy Supply: A Strategic Policy Decision for Japan”. Date: 18 April

Location: UNU-IAS, Yokohama Further Information: UNU-IAS

Please see further below for a further listing of events in Japan

over coming months.

Event Announcements

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Call Results & Programme Evaluations

Interim Evaluation of FP7

Between 24-25 February, under the aegis of the Hungarian EU Presidency, a conference to review the interim performance of the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) was held. The main goals of the Conference were to provide a suitable forum to discuss the findings of the interim evaluation; to discuss the research context of the EU 2020 Strategy and the Innovation Union flagship with special emphasis on the further implementation of FP7; and to put forward recommendations for the preparation of the future Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation funding.

The 7th Framework Programme is the major funding instrument for implementing European Union research programmes, running between 2007-2013 with an overall budget of more than €50bn. This is spent through Cooperation programmes, the Ideas programme (which includes the European Research Council), the People component (which includes the Marie Curie schemes), and Capacities programme, which provides support for research infrastructures, regional initiatives and science in society, amongst other things.

In performing the evaluation of FP7, an Expert Group was appointed that drew upon statistical data, reviews and other evaluations, independent studies, hearings, and consultations with relevant stakeholders. The Expert Group then weighed up these various inputs to provide a summary overview on the current status of FP7.

According to the talk given by Professor Iain Begg, who was the Rapporteur for the Expert Group, and is a Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the FP7 programme is contributing to European science and the development of the European Research Area (click here for Dr Begg’s slides).

The strengths of FP7are seen to relate to its breadth and scope, and the fair and robust nature in which calls are implemented. FP7 was seen to be fostering the development of capacity in Europe in terms of research infrastructures and in the training and mobility of

Call Results & Programme Evaluations

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Leading Participants in Framework ProgrammesLeading Participants in Framework ProgrammesLeading Participants in Framework ProgrammesLeading Participants in Framework Programmes

Rank Institution Participations EU Contribution

(€M)

1 CNRS 501 231.1

2 Fraunhofer Gesell. 331 153.1

3 Comm. En. Atomique 234 118.7

4 Max Planck 238 115.4

5 Cambridge Univ. 215 97.8

6 Polytech Lausanne 165 97.4

7 Oxford Univ. 176 96.7

8 European Science Foundation

9 93.5

9 ETH, Zurich 170 91.7

10 Imperial College, London 175 86.9

researchers. He noted that the European Research Council is a “visible Success” and noted high standards in projects for cooperation.

He acknowledged however that there were difficulties in the implementation of the programme, in connecting research with innovation, and the relationship between Member State and the EU levels. The main point he noted was the need for greater simplification of the Framework Programme.

Regarding some of the components of the Framework Programme, with regards to the Cooperation element, Begg noted that this is the mainstay of the framework programme and without it cross-border cooperation would suffer. Industrial participation tends to vary by theme, and it is not always clear what the role of industry is; there are also few projects where SMEs are in the lead.

With the People Programme, this is generally seen to be doing what is expected of it, but there may be a need for some rebalancing due to some programmes being over-subscribed, such as the Initial Training Networks (ITN) Scheme.

In responding to these points, the representative from DG Research & Innovation, András Siegler, noted that many of the issues raised by the Expert Group were already being addressed by new policy initiatives, such as the Innovation Union document, or the current Green Paper on the Common Strategic Framework (see here for Mr Siegler’s slides).

Regarding simplification, there is an acknowledged need on the Commission side for further simplification, with measures introduced on 24 January regarding personnel costs, SME owners, and the clearing committee.

All of the slides from the event are available from the Hungarian National Innovation Office:

Half Time – Highway - Interim evaluation of FP7 from different perspectives (24-25 February 2011)

Grants-in-Aid Awards in 2011

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) published their annual pamphlet on the Grants-in-Aid scheme on 9 February. The pamphlet introduces the major types of grants, the budgetary and award trends, and information on the review process.

Grants-in-Aid are competitively awarded grants that are based solely on the ideas of researchers, across a wide spectrum of scientific fields, from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences. Grants are awarded to projects organised by individual researchers or research groups at Japanese universities or research institutes engaged in basic research. The call for proposals is published each year, in autumn. They are open to researchers of any nationality, as long as they are based at a Japanese research institution.

Call Results & Programme Evaluations

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Application and Acceptance Rates

Overall, the number of applicants for Grant-in-Aid have more than doubled, increasing from 61,000 in 1990 to 126,100 by 2010.

Given such increases, the acceptance rate for approved grants has tended to decline, falling from 24% to 22.2% over the 1990 to 2010 period.

Currently the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP) is looking to eventually accept 30% of all new proposals.

Currently there are 59,050 reviewers registered to evaluate Grant in Aid proposals.

Budget Trends: Increasing use of Competitive Budgets

Under the First and Second Basic Plans for Science and Technology, the government looked to increase the overall budgetary allocation for competitively allocated research. In 1995, ¥101.8bn (846m) was awarded competitively which by 2010 had grown to ¥200bn (€1.6bn). In 2011, the budget had increased yet further, rising to ¥2,633 (€18.8bn). Under the First Basic Plan the overall budget for grants in aid increased by ¥49.5bn; under the Second Plan the budget increased by ¥46.1bn (€383m). Due to the worsening fiscal situation in Japan, the budgetary increase over the course of the Third Basic Plan was ¥12.0bn (€9.9m).

The full information regarding Grants-in-Aid awards can be found at the JSPS’ homepage:

JSPS (2011), Grants in Aid for Scientific Research Pamphlet 2011, (in Japanese)

Call Results & Programme Evaluations

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Universities & Research Institutes

Kobe University hold formal opening symposium at new Brussels OfficeOn 4 March the opening symposium for the new Brussels Office of Kobe University was held. In attendance were high level officials and dignitaries from the European Commission, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Rector of Ghent University, Ambassador of Japan to the European Union. Talks were also given by representatives from Japanese universities, with the President of Osaka University giving a talk on the internationalisation strategy of the University, and introducing the centre Osaka University established at Groningen University in 2005 (see here for the slides). Kobe University first established the office in Brussels on 3 September, 2010.

Honorary Doctorate for Herman van RompuyAt the same time as the opening symposium, an Doctor Honoris Causa was conferred to Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council.

In his acceptance speech to the audience, Van Rompuy talked of the need for strengthening the relationship between Europe and Japan in political, economic and social terms. He talked of the need for more political cooperation which so far “falls short of what it should be”. He also noted Japan’s current strong interest in a Fair Trade Agreement with the EU, and noted ongoing examination of this issue by a High Level Group in the EU.

With the social realm he touched on points more relevant to science and technology. Van Rumpoy noted that the EU welcomes ‘Japanese efforts of internationalisation of academic life’. where he commented that he ‘was impressed’ that Japan wants to have 300.000 Japanese students abroad, and 300.000 foreign students in Japan by 2020. He noted however, that so far, too few Japanese students have benefitted from the Erasmus Mundus scheme, feeling that there is an untapped potential for further expansion and use. On this occasion, Mr Van Rompuy does not appear to have recited any haiku.

Further information on the opening symposium and the slides given by various speakers can be found at the following link: Kobe University

OIST Applies for University Status

As reported over previous editions, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have now applied to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for university status. The approval by the Minister is expected at the end of October 2011.

Information about the Graduate University, including its academic programs, future schedule, will be made public on the OIST Website as soon as it is confirmed.

Further Information: OIST

University & Institute Developments

13

Above: Van Rompuy receives his honorary

doctorate

Source: Kobe University

New Institutional Agreements between Europe and Japan

Below, a round-up of the latest memorandums of understanding or other agreements between institutions in Europe and Japan:

★ Hokkaido University with Helsinki University - comprehensive agreement concluded on 11 March (see Hokudai)

★ JAIST with Hull University - re-conclusion of an earlier comprehensive agreement (see JAIST).

★ Kobe University with Oxford University - concluded on 2 March (see Kobe University)

★ TITECH - University of York (Chemical Resources Laboratory) Exchange of faculty, students and information. Concluded on 15 February.

★ TITECH - University of Manchester (Photon Science Institute/School of Chemistry). Exchange of faculty, students and information. Concluded on 11 February. (see TITECH for information on both new agreements)

University & Institute Developments

14

Consultations

New Name for EU Research and Innovation Programme: You Name it!

If you’re of an imaginative nature, and would like to submit your ideas for a new name of the EU Research and Innovation Programmes, then please visit the website further below.

The new Research & Innovation programme aims to support researchers and innovators in Europe, boost excellence and ensure that good ideas reach the market to generate economic growth and jobs.

The person who first suggests the winning name will get an expenses-paid trip to the European Innovation Convention, which will take place in Brussels at the end of this year, and will also get to meet the Commissioner and other leading political, scientific and business figures.

Deadline: 10 May

Submit your ideas at: DG Research

2011 Funding Guide Booklet

We’d like to thank everyone for sending in their suggestions in response to our call last month regarding the 2011 version of the Funding Guide booklet. We are very grateful for these suggestions and have updated the document accordingly.

The current version can be found at:

2011 Draft Funding Guide Document

If you notice any further schemes or corrections please notify me as soon as possible.

Email contact address

Green Paper & Consultation on EU Research Funding

As we reported in the January newsletter, the European Commission is currently performing a consultation exercise on funding systems in EU research programmes. Responses will be received until 20 May. Please click here to participate in this consultation exercise.

Consultations

15

This Version: 9 March 2011

Draft Version for Consultation

2011

Funding Guide for

European Researchers &

Students in

Japan

News and Developments

Nippon Science Support Network

A group of funding organisations around the world have got together to establish a database from research laboratories, universities, hospitals, science foundations and funding agencies to upload dedicated positions and stipend schemes that have been put in place for Japanese students, research fellows and scientific personnel.

The website currently lists opportunities from Germany, the US, France, Ireland, Italy, UK, China, Switzerland and other organisations/countries. As of 11 April, 86 organisations have signed up and 224 services and/or positions are being advertised.

The website is available here: Nippon Science Support

Further information: Nature

Ratification of the Science and Technology Agreement

On 29 March, the Science and Technology Agreement between the European Union and Japan was ratified. We first notified you of the signing of this document in November 2009 (see here for prior coverage).

The new agreement will provide a new framework for expanding and strengthening cooperation between the European Union and Japan in science and technology, for establishing new mechanisms for enhanced S&T cooperation, such as reciprocal participation in research programmes, exchange of researchers, and coordinated calls for proposals..

Further Information:

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

DG INFSO Visit Japan: Reviewing Options for ICT Collaboration

A mission from the Directorate-General for the Information Society and Media (DG INFSO) of the European Commission visited Tokyo in February and held meetings with key Japanese stakeholders in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to further analyse areas for future co-operation.

Mr Morten Moller, incoming Head of Unit for ICT Strategy and responsible for the ICT Workprogramme, and Mr Stephan Pascall, Advisor for International Cooperation, met key actors of the Japanese government (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,

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Science and Technology (MEXT)), of funding agencies (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)), of major research institutes (National Institute of Informatics (NII), NICT and National Institute of Advanced Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)) and of the industry (Hitachi and NTT).

A number of topics were considered and assessed for Joint Calls/Matching Funds between the Japanese funding systems and the 7th Framework Programme of the EU. Several topics for further R&D cooperation were also identified at the various meetings during the mission.

Further Information:

Information Society and Media Directorate General

Faculty Trends in Japan’s Universities

In February, the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) published the results of their annual survey of scientific, technological and academic activities at Japan’s universities.

This survey has been published since 2006 with the aim of providing basic information on the promotion of research at universities (national, public, and private universities excluding junior colleges; and inter-university research institutes). The survey focuses on the number of young teachers (under 37 years old), the number of young female teachers, the number of foreign teachers, and the condition of research funds.

The survey was distributed between July and September, 2010. Responses were received from 86 national universities (100% of sample), 78 public universities (100% of sample), and 553 private universities (92.2% of sample). In total, 717 universities responded to the questionnaire (93.8% response rate).

Overall Faculty Trends in the Universities

Since the survey began in 2005, the number of faculty has decreased in the national universities by 1.1%, increased by 7.0% in the public universities, and increased by 7.6% in the private universities. MEXT data show that as of 2009, there were 168,392 faculty at all of Japan’s universities.

Age Trends of Faculty in Japan’s Universities

Of these 168,392 faculty, 35,247 are under 37 years of age. This is 20.9% of all faculty (indicated by the red line in the figure - right) Over the four years that the survey has been performed, the ratio of younger researchers has

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17

18

19

20

20

21

22

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2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

21.721.3

21.621.2

20.921.2 21.1

21.721.9

21.722.1

21.5

20.5

19.3

18.2

22.2

21.7 21.7

20.620.3

% of Faculty <37 years of age

National University Public University Private University All Universities

decreased. In 2005, there were 34,153 (or 21.7%) of faculty under 37 years of age.The number of faculty in the public universities under 37 has decreased from 2,530 in 2005 to 2,272 in 2009. The private universities show increases in the overall number of faculty and very slight increases in the number of faculty under 37. Private university faculty has risen from 85,197 in 2005 to 94,571 in 2009. The number of faculty under 37 has increased from 18,090 to 20,531 over the same period, increasing as a proportion from 21.2% to 21.7%.

At the institutional level over the four year period under study, some of the institutions which have seen both an increase in faculty and young faculty are Tohoku University, Osaka University, Hiroshima University, Shinshu University. Institutions that have witnessed both decline in faculty and young faculty include Tokyo University, TITECH, Ochanomizu University, and Kyushu University.

Institutions with the highest proportion of young faculty are NAIST (38.6%), JAIST (28.2%), Tohoku University (27.6%), Osaka University (27.4%), and TITECH (27.3%).

Women Faculty For all faculty under 37 years of age, the proportion of women has gradually been increasing over the course of the survey, increasing from 25.2% in 2005 to 28.6% in 2010.

By the different types of institution, the national universities have the lowest proportion of young female faculty, at 18.7% in 2009. This figure has increased from 16.1% in 2005. By contrast the public universities have seen the proportion of female young researchers surpass 35% of young faculty, with 35.7% in 2009.

Only for young faculty below 37, universities with the highest proportion of female faculty are Ochanomizu University (84%) (n=25), NAIST (60.9%) (n=23), and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (50.0%) (n=16).

Where are the Foreign Faculty? The survey does not unfortunately provide any time-series data on trends in foreign faculty. It shows, however, that there is currently 5,884 foreign faculty at all universities. By different types of institution, 3,832 are at the private universities, 405 at the public universities, and 1,647 at the national universities (2009). For all universities, the proportion of foreign faculty is 3.5%, with 4.1% at the private universities, 3.2% at the public universities, and 2.7% at the national universities. It then presents information by institution on the number and proportion of foreign faculty (see p.37).

The universities with the largest number of foreign faculty are Tohoku University (n=135), followed by Osaka University (n=98), Tokyo University (n=81), and Kyoto University (n=77). As an overall proportion, they are highest at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (13.9%),

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National University Public University Private University All Universities

0

10

20

30

40

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

25.2 26.027.2

28.5 28.630.8 31.532.7

34.0 33.933.8

32.7 33.635.8 35.7

16.117.2 17.8 18.2 18.7

% of Women Amongst Faculty <37 years old

JAIST (12.3%), GRIPS (9.7%), Ohtaru University of Commerce (6.9%), and Tokyo Denki University.

The full report is available from NISTEP: 石橋 英二(2011), 大学等における科学技術・学術活動実態調査報告, NISTEP, February

Japan’s 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan: Postponed until SummerThe Japanese government was set to unveil its new 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan by the end of March, ready for the new fiscal year. The plan was to set out the government’s strategy and major policies for science and technology until the end of fiscal year 2016. Due to recent events such as the earthquake and issues surrounding the Fukushima nuclear reactor however, the government has decided to postpone publication as they undertake a review of the priorities for the next plan, according to a press release published on 31 March.

As we reported in December, the government was set to place primary attention towards the life innovation field, and the green innovation field, with importance also being given to basic research, and human resource development. Press reports now suggest that the government is to review the current outline, particularly with regard to the place of research in the energy field, as well as research into disasters and disaster prevention systems for protecting society. The review is to take place until Summer 2011.

The Japanese government has been implementing a Basic Plan for Science and Technology since 1996, following passage of the Science and Technology Basic Law in 1995. During the course of the first three plans (1996-2000; 2001-2005; 2006-2010), the overall budgetary commitment has been around 25 trillion Yen per plan (€200bn). Under these three plans, priority was placed on eight research areas: Life Sciences, Information and Communication Technologies, Environmental Sciences, Nanotechnology and Materials, Energy, Manufacturing Technology, Infrastructure, and Frontier Sciences (outer space and oceans).

Preparations for the 4th Plan first began in 2009 when the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) undertook a series of mid-term reviews into the status and achievements of the 3rd Basic Plan (see here for the full list of reports). Within the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP), the Specialist Basic Science Committee was tasked with reviewing the contents for the next plan, holding a series of 12 meetings to that end over the course of 2009 and 2010. In the Autumn of 2010 public comments were also sought on the 4th Plan (see here for the schedule until now). The process for determining the new revisions to the 4th Plan have not been made apparent at the time of writing.

Further Information:

CSTP (2011), 「東北地方太平洋沖地震」 を踏まえた当面の対応について, 31 March 2011

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第４期科学技術基本計画　

Euraxess and Euraxess Links: Recent Conference in Cyprus

In March 2011, a conference was held in Cyprus regarding the Euraxess initiative. Organised by the European Commission, the event drew attendees from funding, research and educational institutions throughout Europe and elsewhere to discuss the initiative, review progress, and chart out future directions.

Policy Context The Euraxess Initiative, which was previously called ERALINK, short for 'European Researchers Abroad (ERA) Link'. is funded through the People component of the 7th Framework Programme. In 2008 the European Commission issued a Communication to the Council and the EU President that introduced the European Partnership for Researchers, outlining four priority address for enhancing the careers of researchers. These four priorities were: open recruitment and portability of grants, addressing the social security needs of mobile research, creating attractive employment conditions for researchers, and enhancing the training, skills and experiences of researchers. In September, 2008, Council Conclusions provided the remit for a Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility (SGHRM) which has looked at social security issues for researchers, undertook a mapping exercise on doctoral programmes and monitoring of the European Partnership for Researchers.

Chiefly, there are a number of issues that the European Commission is seeking to address through these initiatives. Firstly, while EU countries are seen to produce more science and engineering graduates and PhDs than the US and Japan, researchers make up a much lower share of the workforce in the EU. A second issue has been the mobility of European researchers out of Europe. In 2004 it was noted that there were around 100,000 European researchers based in the United States, of which many were top performers in their field. While the US has been able to successfully attract many researchers; Europe has been less successful. A further issue is the aging of researchers within Europe, and a shortage of potential replacements through the lack of attractiveness of a research career. Through addressing such issues and enhancing the attractiveness of research careers, the EU hopes to stimulate a more knowledge driven economy.

The Euraxess Initiative: Mobility in Europe

In order to overcome some of these challenges, strong efforts have been made in making more research positions and fellowships publicly open, with efforts to develop systems to make mobility easier across Europe. In doing this the Commission has been working closely with other organisations throughout Europe, which includes research institutions, universities, funding organisations, and national ministries.

In making recruitment more open, the Euraxess Jobs website has been the main portal for achieving this objective. The Jobs website, which is aimed at professional researchers and research organisations, now has more than 5000 organisations registered, and sees around 5000 job advertisements per month, from doctoral to senior levels, that also includes research management and administrative positions across Europe. The number of jobs

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advertised has increased quite substantially lately through Nature Jobs, also using the service. There are also around 300 Fellowships advertised. In 2010, this website obtained 5m page views, with 500,000 unique visitors.

To support the social security aspects of researcher careers, in addition to the work of the SGHRM, Euraxess Services has seen the establishment of more than 200 Euraxess Service Centres in 37 countries. These Service Centres provide help and support with respect to accommodation, childcare, basic information about a country or city, social security, visa formalities, work permits, or intellectual property rights. A key component of the Euraxess Services initiative has been on visa issues, and we reported on the new Scientific Visa for researchers in the November Newsletter.

Euraxess Links: The International Dimension

Euraxess Links concerns the international dimensions of mobility. It first started with the establishment of Euraxess Links in the USA in 2007, followed subsequently by Japan (2008), China (2009), Singapore (2010) and now India (2011).

Each of these services aim to facilitate mobility, research exchange and collaboration between Europe and their respective countries, providing information on funding and collaboration opportunities and a network through which European researchers can share information specific to their location. As the early ERALINK outlined, although European researchers may no longer be physically based in Europe, the Commission views these researchers as a potential asset, not a loss, bringing closer ties between Europe and their host country.

Prior to the launch of each of these international services, a questionnaire survey was performed to determine the exact needs of researchers in that country. In the Japanese case, survey data suggested that Euraxess Links Japan should give priority to Europe-Japan cooperation opportunities, sources of funding and career information. This survey has very much shaped our activities for Euraxess Links Japan, hence the focus on calls and funding opportunities each month. Initially started with a mail out list of 450, the email now goes out to over 1000 researchers and other interested parties each month. We hope to continue expanding the readership.

Future Directions: What is the Vision for Euraxess LInks? Going forward, until now concentration been focused on growth of the networks and providing creditable and practical information for use by researchers. Under future scenarios the Information Officers would gradually come to play the role of “Overseas branch offices” for the Euraxess Network reaching out to third country nationals (e.g. researchers from Japan) to help with mobility to and from Europe. It is also anticipated that further Information Officers would be appointed in other countries, such as Brazil, Canada, and South Africa. The Singaporean Officer is also likely to play a hub like role, serving ASEAN countries. Emphasis would also come to be placed on consolidating the networks and developing stronger links

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between them. What this means in practice is not yet certain, but is likely to occur beyond 2012.

In the more immediate period, under the Hungarian presidency a conference will be held which will seek to review the contribution of the research profession to the innovation Union, intersectoral mobility, preparing the future generation of researchers, as well as the career paths and mobility of researchers.

Further Information:

Euraxess Jobs

Euraxess Services

Euraxess Links

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List of S&T Events in Japan

Date Event Location

16 - 19 May, 2011

6th International Symposium on Edible Alliaceae Fukuoka

25 - 30 June, 2011

Symposium on the Emergence and Diversity of Modern Human Behavior in Palaeolithic Asia & The 4th Annual Meeting of the Asian Palaeolithic Association (APA)

Tokyo

29 June - 1 July, 2011

10th INT'L BIO FORUM & BIO EXPO JAPAN Tokyo

2 - 4 July, 2011

International Symposium on Scheduling 2011 (ISS2011)

Osaka

19 - 21 July, 2011

NIMS Conference 2011 Tsukuba

27 - 29 July, 2011

The 6th RENEWABLE ENERGY 2011 EXHIBITION Chiba

2 - 6 August, 2011

The 4th International Symposium on Functional Materials (ISFM2011)

Sendai

25 September - 1 October, 2011

UIA2011 TOKYO (The 24th World Congress of Architecture)

Tokyo

2 - 6 October, 2011

The 4th IWA-ASPIRE Conference & Exhibition -Toward Sustainable Water Supply and Recycling Systems-

Tokyo

Source: Science Links JapanSource: Science Links JapanSource: Science Links Japan

Copyrights © EURAXESS Links Japan

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