Collaboration with Japan: JST “Alignment Call”

Under the governmental programme ASPIRE, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has launched another “Alignment Call” in 2025. In this call, Japanese research groups will connect with already-funded projects in one of the participating partner countries, and subsequently submit a proposal to the JST. This approach allows the Japanese funding agency to identify researchers in the partner countries who are considered to be excellent. The SNSF is one of the participating partner funding agencies.

The duration of the Japanese project does not need to align exactly with that of the project in the partner country. Researchers with projects in partner countries that have a comparatively short remaining duration can be funded.

The collaboration costs for both teams can be covered by the Japanese budget. Please note that researchers in Switzerland do not need to submit any additional information to the SNSF, as their Japanese counterparts are responsible for the submission of project proposals to the JST.

The call will be highly competitive, with multiple partner funding agencies from a number of different countries taking part.

• AI and information
• biotechnology
• energy
• materials
• quantum
• semiconductors
• telecommunications

The call was launched on 3 March 2025. It is not necessary to submit a pre-proposal. The submission deadline for the proposal is 12 May 2025 at 12:00 noon (Japan Standard Time).

At JST, “top scientists” can apply for up to 500 million yen per project for a maximum duration of 5 years. JST will be able to fund approx. 15 projects of this type. Under “rising scientists”, a maximum of 90 million yen per project can be requested for a maximum duration of 3 years. JST will be able to fund approx. 20 projects of this type.