This joint funding call between the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) aims to foster world-leading partnerships in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. The initiative supports collaborative research projects between the UK and Japan, driving innovation and nurturing the next generation of AI researchers.

Funding Details

The total available funding is £6,000,000, with a maximum award of £1,500,000 for the UK project component (80% FEC). The Japan project component can request up to ¥280 million/project (including 30% overhead expenses). It is anticipated that up to four projects will be funded, each with a duration of five years.

The earliest anticipated start date for funded projects is January 2026. This funding opportunity encourages collaborative research between the UK and Japan, including travel, subsistence, and consumables for project leads, co-leads, and research staff to facilitate visits and extended work placements at partner laboratories.

The publication date for this opportunity is 14 March 2025, with the opening date set for 20 March 2025 at 9:00am UK time. The closing date for applications is 22 May 2025 at 4:00pm UK time.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applications must involve researchers from both Japan and the UK. The UK applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding, while Japan-based applicants must be eligible for JST funding. Applications must include a project lead from both the UK and Japan.

For UK applicants, standard EPSRC eligibility rules apply. Japan-based researchers should be conducting research at a research institution within Japan. Researchers and research institutions applying must register with the Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad) prior to application.

Applicants should note restrictions on multiple applications for Japan-based applicants. Specifically, applicants may only apply to one of the ASPIRE 2025 Call for Proposals. The following are not eligible to apply:

• Applicants not based in Japan or the UK.

• International researchers under the UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement or the UKRI-IIASA agreement.

• Uninvited resubmissions of previously submitted projects.

Research Focus and Scope

The primary theme of this funding opportunity is research related to advancing human-centred AI, data science, and robotics. The aim is to contribute towards productivity, growth, and social good within both Japan and the UK. Proposals should consider how the research will contribute to world-leading AI research and innovation, including the sustainability of AI, its application in real-world settings, and the benefits of responsible AI for society and technology.

All proposals must include plans for promoting international talent mobility and the development of the next generation of AI researchers. Collaborative efforts between researchers in Japan and the UK should demonstrate how they will advance human-centred AI. The goal is to drive advancements in AI and data science, producing new technologies that will further the development of the field.

The funding opportunity encourages the development of academic communities and researcher networks to generate new collaborative research ecosystems. These connections will strengthen existing landscapes within each country and form the foundation for sustainable AI and data science research efforts, talent exchange, and mobility.

Application Process

The Japan and UK teams must develop a joint proposal and submit their applications through parallel submission. The UK project lead is responsible for submitting via the UKRI Funding Service. The Japan-based principal investigator must merge the UK lead's proposal with additional information requested by JST and upload it to e-Rad.

Japan-based applicants are requested to submit a prior notice to JST indicating their intent to apply by 8 May 2025 at 2:00pm Japan time. Following the panel review, Japanese applicants recommended for funding will be required to submit additional information and participate in an interview.

The EPSRC deadline for application submission is 22 May 2025 at 4:00pm UK time (BST). The JST deadline is 23 May 2025 at 2:00pm Japan time (JST). Applications cannot be changed after submission, and adherence to guidelines is crucial.

Expected Outcomes and Funding Allocation

This joint funding opportunity expects researchers from Japan and the UK to leverage each other’s strengths and address weaknesses through international collaboration. JST expects a substantive proportion of funding for the Japanese element of research projects (approximately 70% of the total direct cost) to be allocated to activities that further ASPIRE’s objectives. These objectives include building and expanding international research networks, fostering cutting-edge research and development, and promoting international talent mobility.

The UK element of research projects is expected to reciprocate Japanese efforts towards researcher mobility through research staff exchanges, though not necessarily with the same percentage of budget allocation. The AI research community should consider existing investments across the UK landscape to facilitate exchange for Japanese early career researchers.

Funded projects should aim to develop academic communities and researcher networks, generating new collaborative research ecosystems. These connections will strengthen the existing landscapes within each country and will form the foundation for sustainable AI and data science research efforts, talent exchange, and mobility.

Suggested Research Topics

• Artificial Intelligence

• Machine Learning

• Robotics

• Data Science

• Human-Computer Interaction

• Computer Vision

• Natural Language Processing

• Healthcare AI