JSPS 2011-2012 Contents Message from JSPS President, Dr. Yuichiro Anzai Organization, JSPS’s Institutional Transition Budget Support for Research Initiatives Ⅰ 1 Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi) .......................................................................................................... 4 2 Leading-Edge Research Initiatives ....................................................................................................................................... 10 3 Program for Promoting Methodological Innovation in Humanities and Social Sciences by Cross-Disciplinary Fusing .... 14 Fostering Next Generation of Researchers Ⅱ 1 Research Fellowships for Young Scientists ............................................................................................................... 15 2 Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research Abroad ......................................................................................................... 17 International Collaborations Ⅲ 1 International Collaborations ....................................................................................................................................... 18 2 Advancing International Joint Research via Cooperation with Science-Promotion Organizations in Other Countries .. 20 3 Supporting the Establishment of Research and Education Hubs ............................................................................. 22 4 Carrying Out Exchange with Asian and African Countries ........................................................................................ 24 5 Supporting International Exchange for Training Young Researchers ....................................................................... 26 6 Inviting Overseas Researchers to Japan ................................................................................................................... 28 Support for University Reform—Enhancing the Ⅳ Quality of University Research and Education 1 Global COE Program .................................................................................................................................................. 31 2 Leading Programs in Doctoral Education .................................................................................................................. 32 3 Program for Enhancing Systematic Education in Graduate Schools ....................................................................... 32 4 Program for Promoting University Education Reform ............................................................................................... 33 5 Project for Establishing University Network for Internationalization ("Global 30") .................................................. 34 6 Re-Inventing Japan Project ......................................................................................................................................... 35 7 World Premier International Research Center Initiative ............................................................................................ 36 8 Program for Promoting Social Science Research Aimed at Solutions of Near-Future Problems ............................ 37 9 Japan Studies Based on International Collaboration ................................................................................................ 37 Scientific Outreach Ⅴ 1 University-Industry Research Cooperation ................................................................................................................ 38 2 Information Services ................................................................................................................................................... 39 3 Donations .................................................................................................................................................................... 39 4 Program for Publishing of Noteworthy Contributions to Science and Technology .................................................. 39 5 Student Outreach Activities ........................................................................................................................................ 40 Awards of Recognition Ⅵ 1 International Prize for Biology .................................................................................................................................... 41 2 JSPS Prize ................................................................................................................................................................... 42 3 Ikushi Prize .................................................................................................................................................................. 43 Research Center for Science Systems Ⅶ .................................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Appendix List of Programs .............................................................................................................................................................. 46 List of JSPS’s Overseas Counterpart Institutions .......................................................................................................... 48 Map of JSPS Overseas Offices and Counterpart Institutions ........................................................................................ 50 Researchers Exchanged from 2008-2010 ...................................................................................................................... 52 JSPS 2011-2012 Message from JSPS President Dr. Yuichiro Anzai The Great East Japan Earthquake that struck on 11 March was an unprecedented natural disaster that wreaked immense destruction on our nation. Extending my heartfelt condolenc- es to the affected people, I pray for the speedy recovery and reconstruction of the devastated communities. At JSPS, we have received many messages of condolence and encourage- ment from counterparts and affiliates in a great many coun- tries. They have been both heartening and uplifting to us. I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our colleagues for your warm friendship and caring words. The mega-earthquake and tsunami demonstrated to us science’s significance and po- tential in tackling and taming the ferocity of nature. This goes not only for the natural sciences but also the humanities, social sciences, medicine and engineering. We have learned many valuable lessons from this experience, which will need to be applied in surging forward scientific research and human-resource development through the threshold of a new era. This will be our mandate. Over the near future, Japan will continue to be confronted with many serious issues, not the least of which are an aging society exasperated by a low birth rate and a pro- longed period of economic stagnation. From a wider perspective, international compe- tition is becoming increasingly more intense as Asian and other nations become newly emerging forces within the global community. Concurrently, heightened expectation is being placed on Japan to help solve, with a long-term vision, the myriad of problems that affect large swaths of the human race. Amidst this milieu, it becomes all the more important for Japan to carry out scientific research and foster the next generations of researchers who will advance it by creating new genres of “knowledge” that can enrich the Japanese people’s lives while laying the foundations for achieving greater socio-economic development around the world. As Japan’s core funding agency supporting scientific advancement, JSPS administers the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research and other funding programs to underwrite scientific research initiatives. While working to cultivate budding researchers through the Research Fellowships for Young Scientists and other fellowship programs, JSPS places a high value on both researcher autonomy and research diversity. As a key member of the globe-spanning network of science organizations, JSPS also concen- trates its effort on promoting international collaboration. Over recent years, JSPS has spearheaded initiatives to advance university reform in Japan, the latest being the “Leading Program in Doctoral Education” launched this fiscal year, while carrying out a broad-ranging program to engage young researchers in the frontiers of scientific progress. We will strive to carry forward JSPS’s program in an even-more efficient and effective manner so as to meet the needs of researchers and students aspiring to careers in sci- ence across the spectrum of fields and also society’s multifaceted expectations for sci- entific advancement, while enhancing Japan’s contribution to global society. In these pursuits, we will employ a strength of “knowledge” needed to address the challenges of coming periods. As we move this agenda forward, I ask for your greatly appreciated guidance, support and cooperation. 1 JSPS 2011-2012 Organization President Advisory Council Research Center for Science Systems Yuichiro Anzai Director Academic Advisory Board Chairman Inspector Generals Executive Directors Hiroyuki Yoshikawa Academic Advisors Motonori Hoshi Hiromitsu Ishi Makoto Tsuneo Nakahara Kobayashi Ryoji Noyori Akira Tonomura Katsumi Michihisa Makoto Takayoshi Deputy Deputy Kumao Toyoshima Aida Kyoto Asashima Seiki Director Director Michio Motoya Muramatsu Katsuki Administration International Program Research Program Deputy Senior Department Department Department