Japan-UK joint call for collaborations in advancing human-centred AI (Grant)

For support under this funding opportunity, applicants and organisations must be eligible to apply for funding from their respective country’s funding agency.

Applications must include a project lead from the UK and Japan.

For UK applicants, you must be based at a UK based research organisation eligible for EPSRC funding. To lead a project, you must be based at an eligible organisation. Check if your organisation is eligible.

Who is eligible to apply

EPSRC standard eligibility rules apply to this funding opportunity, applicants in the UK must meet the EPSRC eligibility requirements. For full details, visit EPSRC’s eligibility page.

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) eligibility

Applicants in Japan must meet the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) eligibility requirements. Japan based researchers should be conducting research at a research institution (university, independent administrative institution, public experimental research institution, public-interest corporation, or company) within Japan.

Researchers and research institutions applying must register with the Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad) prior to application. Please follow JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB) in addition to this funding opportunity template before applying.

Restrictions on multiple applications (Japan-based applicants only)

• Applicants (whether as PI or Co-PI)* may only apply to one of the ASPIRE 2025 Call for Proposals. This includes the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) ASPIRE 2025 Call for Proposals

• PIs and Co-PIs currently supported under an ASPIRE Joint Call for Proposals may not submit applications

*PI: Principal Investigator in Japan, Co-PI: Co-Principal Investigator in Japan

Please see the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB) for details.

Who is not eligible to apply

Applicants not based in Japan or the UK.

International researchers

The UKRI-RCN Money Follows Cooperation Agreement or the UKRI-IIASA agreement do not apply to this funding opportunity. As such grants submitted to this funding opportunity cannot include an IIASA or a Norway-based International Co-Project Lead

Resubmissions

We will not accept uninvited resubmissions of projects that have been submitted to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) or any other funder.

Find out more about EPSRC’s resubmissions policy.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all funding applicants. We encourage applications from a diverse range of researchers.

We support people to work in a way that suits their personal circumstances. This includes:

• career breaks

• support for people with caring responsibilities

• flexible working

• alternative working patterns

UKRI can offer disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders during the application and assessment process.

For Japan-based applicants, please see the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB).

Aim

Based on the implementation principles of the ASPIRE program in Japan, this partnership programme aims to support internationally competitive collaborative research projects between Japan and the UK focusing on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. This programme will create leading international research networks, and nurture early career researchers to invigorate the AI sector in each country.

Funding opportunity theme

Research related to advancing human-centred AI, data science and robotics which will contribute towards a drive in productivity, growth and social good within Japan and the UK.

Scope

You should consider how your research will contribute to world leading AI research and innovation, whether this is the sustainability of AI, the use of AI in real world settings or understanding how responsible AI will benefit society and technology. Further information can be found in Transforming our world with AI.

All proposals must include plans for promoting international talent mobility and development of the next generation of AI researchers. Proposals are also expected to contribute to and demonstrate how collaborative efforts between the researchers in Japan and the UK will advance human-centred AI.

Proposals related to one or more of the following research topics are encouraged, but submissions are not limited to these areas:

• next-generation AI: improving machine learning (deep learning) algorithms, establishing reliable AI and responsible AI systems, and applied research in areas such as computer vision and speech recognition and natural language processing

• robotics: research on autonomous systems, autonomous driving, industrial robots, communication robots, companion robots, and robots capable of teaching advanced skills (for example, craftsmanship) (excluding purely control-based or mechanical engineering research)

• AI for health: future predictive research for a healthier population, covering novel AI, automation and data science techniques to creating a healthier state. This includes advanced diagnostics, visualisation of invisible disease lesions and prediction and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, frailty and early detection of cognitive decline

• human-computer interface: research related to novel technologies to allow humans to interact with digital technologies, for example through virtual reality (VR) and metaverse; and to enhance human physical and cognitive capabilities using information science technologies such as VR, AI, robotics and information communication technologies (ICT)

Expected outcomes

In this joint funding opportunity, researchers from Japan and the UK are asked to leverage each other’s strengths and address their weaknesses by collaborating internationally. The goal is to drive advancements in AI and data science and produce new technologies that will further the development of the field.

The funding opportunity specifically aims to encourage the development of academic communities and researcher networks that will generate new collaborative research ecosystems for the benefit of the next generation of AI researchers. 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.

For more information on the background of this funding opportunity, go to the ‘Additional information’ section.

Duration

The earliest anticipated start date of funded projects will be January 2026.

The duration of this award can be up to five years.

Funding available

EPSRC has a total of £6 million for this activity. Funding will be available for up to four research projects.

Applications should adhere to the following country-specific requirement:

• UK budget requests should be up to £1.5 million (80% of the FEC)

• Japanese budget requests should be up to ¥280 million/project (incl. 30% overhead expenses)

We aim to fund up to four collaborations through this activity for projects of five years duration. Applications may consist of a single research project, or a suite of related research activities in a defined research area.

We would expect to see funding requests to support collaborative research between the UK and Japan which include travel, subsistence and consumables for the project leads, project co-leads and research staff to visit or have extended work placements at a partner’s laboratory overseas.

Expectations

Through this funding opportunity JST expect that a substantive proportion of funding for Japanese element of research projects (approximately 70% of the total direct cost) to be allocated to activities that further ASPIRE’s objectives of building and expanding international research networks that foster cutting-edge research and development, and laying the foundation for long-lasting relationships and continued involvement in the international research community by promoting international talent mobility and providing research opportunities to early career researchers.

We expect that the UK element of research projects reciprocate Japanese effort towards researcher mobility through research staff exchanges, but do not expect the same percentage of budget to be allocated for researcher mobility. The AI research community should consider the range of investments that exist across the UK landscape and consider how existing activities could be used to facilitate part of or the full period of exchange for the Japanese early career researchers.

What we will fund (UK applicants only)

You can request funding for costs such as:

• a contribution to the salary of the project lead and co-leads

• support for other posts such as research, project management and technical

• research consumables

• travel and subsistence costs

• data preservation, data sharing and dissemination costs

• estates and indirect costs

What we will not fund (UK applicants only)

Equipment up to £10,000 per item (including VAT) is not available through this funding opportunity. Smaller items of equipment (individually under £10,000) should be in the ‘Directly incurred – other costs’ heading.

See more information about EPSRC’s approach to equipment funding.

EPSRC standard guidance on intellectual property applies to projects supported by this funding opportunity.

Supporting skills and talent (UK applicants only)

We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.

Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.

As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.

Further guidance and information about TR&I, including where applicants can find additional support.

JST’s secure research and risk management

JST may conduct checks on applicants for this joint funding opportunity, such as due diligence checks at the request of the EPSRC.

For more information, please review the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB).

Responsible innovation

Whilst developing your proposals, please address Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) as an integral part of your vision.

For UK applicants, you are expected to work within the EPSRC framework for responsible innovation with focus on AREA (Anticipate, Reflect, Engage, Act) to maximise the positive values and benefits of your research and minimise potential unintended negative societal, environmental, and ethical impacts. Within your proposal we expect you to address the Anticipate and Reflect parts of the AREA Framework and articulate appropriate plans for Engage and Act in the context of your research programme.

There are many resources available that can help you to develop your approach, including potential support and expertise at your university. A few widely available ones in addition to the EPSRC framework include:

• UKRI Good Research Resource Hub

• UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems (TAS) Hub RRI Prompt Cards

• Observatory for Responsible Research and Innovation in ICT (Orbit), RRI

• Alan Turing Institute: training modules on RRI/PE

For Japan-based applicants, please see the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB) for details.

Assessment process

We will assess your application using the following process.

Project applications received by JST and EPSRC will be reviewed by the two agencies to confirm that your application:

• is within the scope of this funding opportunity

• successfully meets the eligibility requirements for both agencies

Subject to successful eligibility and scope checks, applications will be subject to an assessment process led by EPSRC in partnership with JST.

EPSRC will coordinate and manage the review of applications in consultation with JST.

Expert review

We will invite experts to review your application independently, against the specified criteria for this funding opportunity. Those invited to expert review applications will only be expected to provide a review based on the information entered into and displayed via the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service. You will be invited to provide a response to these reviews.

You will not be able to nominate reviewers for applications on the Funding Service. Research councils will continue to select expert reviewers.

We are monitoring the requirement for applicant-nominated reviewers as we review policies and processes as part of the continued development of the Funding Service.

Panel

Following expert review, we will invite experts to use the evidence provided by reviewers and your applicant response to assess the quality of your application and rank it alongside other applications after which the panel will make a funding recommendation.

Following the panel Japanese applicants recommended for funding will be required to submit additional information to meet the requirements of JST. In addition, JST will hold an interview with the principal investigator of the projects recommended for funding as per the ranking list, to ensure that the selected projects are eligible for funding.

Principles of assessment

We support the San Francisco declaration on research assessment and recognise the relationship between research assessment and research integrity.

Find out about the UKRI principles of assessment and decision making.

Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in expert review

Reviewers and panellists are not permitted to use generative AI tools to develop their assessment. Using these tools can potentially compromise the confidentiality of the ideas that applicants have entrusted to UKRI to safeguard.

For more detail see our policy on the use of generative AI.

Sharing data with co-funders

We will need to share the application (including any personal information that it contains) with JST so that they can participate in the assessment process.

For more information on how JST uses personal information, see their Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to modify the assessment process as needed.

Assessment areas

The assessment areas we will use are:

• vision and approach

• research partnership

• plan for early career researcher (ECR) and international researcher mobility

• applicant and team capability to deliver

• resources and cost justification

• ethics and responsible research and innovation

Find details of assessment questions and criteria under the ‘Application questions’ heading in the ‘How to apply’ section.

Webinar for potential applicants

We will hold a webinar on 25 March 2025 8:30am to 9:30am UK time for UK applicants and on 27 March 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm Japan time for Japanese applicants. These will provide more information about the funding opportunity and a chance to ask questions.

Register for the UK applicant webinar.

Register for the Japanese applicant webinar.

Click here to start application on the UKRI Funding Service: 

https://funding-service.ukri.org/OPP880/apply/916

The Japan and the UK team will need to develop a joint proposal and submit their applications by parallel submission by following this sequence of steps.

The UK project lead (PL) is responsible for submitting via the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service. The UK PL should then download the joint proposal form from the Funding Service after completing the submission and share a PDF copy with the Japan-based principal investigator (PI) of the counterpart team in Japan.

The Japan-based PI should then merge the PDF file of the joint proposal shared by the UK PL with a separately completed application, with additional information requested by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) in the designated application form document Japan-UK AI and Information Application Form (DOCX, 60KB), into one PDF file and upload the merged file to e-Rad.

For Japan-based applicants, please see the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB) for details.

Japan-based applicants only

You are requested to submit a prior notice to JST indicating your intent to apply to this funding opportunity. More information can be found on JST’s web page. The deadline for submitting this is 8 May 2025 at 2:00pm Japan time.

Following the panel, Japanese applicants recommended for funding will be required to submit additional information to meet the requirements of JST. In addition, JST will hold an interview with the principal investigator of the projects recommended for funding as per the ranking list, to ensure that the selected projects are eligible for funding.

You will be notified by email at least two weeks before the interview date, interviews are anticipated to be held in October 2025.

UKRI Funding Service (UK applicants only)

We are running this funding opportunity on the new Funding Service so please ensure that your organisation is registered. You cannot apply on the Joint Electronic Submissions (Je-S) system.

The project lead is responsible for completing the application process on the Funding Service, but we expect all team members and project partners to contribute to the application.

Only the lead research organisation can submit an application to UKRI.

To apply

Select ‘Start application’ near the beginning of this Funding finder page.

1. Confirm you are the project lead.

2. Sign in or create a Funding Service account. To create an account, select your organisation, verify your email address, and set a password. If your organisation is not listed, email support@funding-service.ukri.org

3. Please allow at least 10 working days for your organisation to be added to the Funding Service. We strongly suggest that if you are asking UKRI to add your organisation to the Funding Service to enable you to apply to this Opportunity, you also create an organisation Administration Account. This will be needed to allow the acceptance and management of any grant that might be offered to you.

4. Answer questions directly in the text boxes. You can save your answers and come back to complete them or work offline and return to copy and paste your answers. If we need you to upload a document, follow the upload instructions in the Funding Service. All questions and assessment criteria are listed in the How to apply section on this Funding finder page.

5. Allow enough time to check your application in ‘read-only’ view before sending to your research office.

6. Send the completed application to your research office for checking. They will return it to you if it needs editing.

7. Your research office will submit the completed and checked application to UKRI.

Where indicated, you can also demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant.

When including images, you must:

• provide a descriptive caption or legend for each image immediately underneath it in the text box (this must be outside the image and counts towards your word limit)

• insert each new image on a new line

• use files smaller than 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, JPE, JFI, JIF, JFIF, PNG, GIF, BMP or WEBP format

Images should only be used to convey important visual information that cannot easily be put into words. The following are not permitted, and your application may be rejected if you include:

• sentences or paragraphs of text

• tables

• excessive quantities of images

A few words are permitted where the image would lack clarity without the contextual words, such as a diagram, where text labels are required for an axis or graph column.

Watch our research office webinars about the Funding Service.

For more guidance on the Funding Service, see:

• how applicants use the Funding Service

• how research offices use the Funding Service

• how reviewers use the Funding Service

References

References should be included within the word count of the appropriate question section. You should use your discretion when including references and prioritise those most pertinent to the application.

Hyperlinks can be used in reference information. When including references, you should consider how your references will be viewed and used by the assessors, ensuring that:

• references are easily identifiable by the assessors

• references are formatted as appropriate to your research

• persistent identifiers are used where possible

General use of hyperlinks

Applications should be self-contained. You should only use hyperlinks to link directly to reference information. You must not include links to web resources to extend your application. Assessors are not required to access links to conduct assessment or recommend a funding decision.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Use of generative AI tools to prepare funding applications is permitted, however, caution should be applied.

For more information see our policy on the use of generative AI in application and assessment.

Match funding

There is no requirement for match funding from the organisations hosting the project lead, project co-leads or other staff employed on the grant. EPSRC advises reviewers and panel members not to consider the level of matched university funding as a factor on which to base funding decisions. Project partners are expected to contribute to the project, either with cash or in-kind contributions.

If there is a specific match funding requirement, this text should be replaced by a description of what match funding is needed.

JST Funding Service (Japan based applicants only)

For Japan-based applicants, the following contents will be requested by JST as additional information to be included in the application form document designated as the Japan-UK AI and Information Application Form (DOCX, 60KB):

• summary in Japanese

• achievements of the PI

• expenditure plan for Japan team

• subsidies under other schemes

• checklist for PI

• confirmation letter from the research organisation

The above additional information must be merged with the PDF of the joint proposal provided by the UK based Project Lead (PL) and submitted via the Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad). Please see the JST call website for details:

• funding opportunity title (Japanese): 2025年度 日英共同公募「AI・情報」

• funding opportunity title (English): Japan-UK AI and Information

Deadline

JST prior notice deadline 8 May 2025 at 2:00pm Japan time (JST).

EPSRC must receive your application by 22 May 2025 at 4:00pm UK time (BST).

JST must receive your application by 23 May 2025 at 2:00pm Japan time (JST).

You will not be able to apply after this time.

Make sure you are aware of and follow any internal institutional deadlines.

Following the submission of your application to the funding opportunity, your application cannot be changed, and applications will not be returned for amendment. If your application does not follow the guidance, it may be rejected.

Personal data

Processing personal data (UK applicants only)

EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will need to collect some personal information to manage your Funding Service account and the registration of your funding applications.

We will handle personal data in line with UK data protection legislation and manage it securely. For more information, including how to exercise your rights, read our privacy notice. If there is any organisation outside of UKRI that we will be sharing the applications with, even if they are not co-funding the opportunity, then they must be mentioned here.

EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will need to share the application and any personal information that it contains with JST so that they can participate in the assessment process. For more information on how JST uses personal information, see their Privacy Policy.

Sensitive information

If you or a core team member need to tell us something you wish to remain confidential, email TFSchangeEPSRC@epsrc.ukri.org

Include in the subject line: [the funding opportunity title; sensitive information; your Funding Service application number].

Typical examples of confidential information include:

• individual is unavailable until a certain date (for example due to parental leave)

• declaration of interest

• additional information about eligibility to apply that would not be appropriately shared in the ‘Applicant and team capability’ section

• conflict of interest for UKRI to consider in reviewer or panel participant selection

• the application is an invited resubmission

For information about how UKRI handles personal data, read UKRI’s privacy notice.

For more information surrounding how JST manages sensitive information please review JST’s privacy statement.

Publication of outcomes

EPSRC, as part of UKRI, will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity at EPSRC Funding Applications Outcomes.

JST will publish the outcomes of this funding opportunity at JST-ASPIRE website.

If your application is successful, we will publish some personal information on the UKRI Gateway to Research.

Summary

Word limit: 550

In plain English, provide a summary we can use to identify the most suitable experts to assess your application.

We usually make this summary publicly available on external-facing websites, therefore do not include any confidential or sensitive information. Make it suitable for a variety of readers, for example:

• opinion-formers

• policymakers

• the public

• the wider research community

Guidance for writing a summary

Clearly describe your proposed work in terms of:

• context

• the challenge the project addresses

• aims and objectives

• potential applications and benefits

Core team

List the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:

• project lead (PL)

• project co-lead (UK) (PcL)

• specialist

• professional enabling staff

• research and innovation associate

• technician

• visiting researcher

• researcher co-lead (RcL)

Only list one individual as project lead.

UKRI has introduced a new addition to the ‘Specialist’ role type. Public contributors such as people with lived experience can now be added to an application.

Find out more about UKRI’s core team roles in funding applications.

Core team: Japan based applicants

Word limit 250

For Japan-based applicants, list the key members of your team and assign them roles from the following:

• principal investigator (PI)

• co-principal investigator (Co-PI) (if needed)

• research participants

• outgoing researcher(s)

For more information about Japan-based team composition, please see the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB) for details.

Application questions

The following questions will be included via the Funding Service:

• Vision and Approach

• Research partnership

• Plan for Early Career Researcher (ECR) and International Researcher Mobility

• Applicant and team capability to deliver

• Resources and cost justification

• Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)

For UK applicants, the following questions will be included in the Funding Service:

• Additional documentation: JST-EPSRC joint AI application form

• Project partners

• Project partners letters (or emails) of support

• Data management and sharing

• Facilities

• Trusted research and innovation

• Ethics and responsible research and innovation (Additional sub-questions)

Vision and Approach

Create a document that includes your responses to all criteria. The document should not be more than 11 sides of A4, single spaced in paper in 11-point Arial (or equivalent sans serif font) with margins of at least 2cm. You may include images, graphs, tables. You can have an additional page for a diagrammatic workplan.

For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives you when you create an application, followed by the words ‘Vision and Approach’.

Save this document as a single PDF file, no bigger than 8MB. Unless specifically requested, please do not include any sensitive personal data within the attachment.

If the attachment does not meet these requirements, the application will be rejected.

The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply.

What are you hoping to achieve with and how will you deliver your proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

For the Vision, explain how your proposed work:

• is of excellent quality and importance within or beyond the field(s) or area(s)

• has the potential to advance current understanding, or generate new knowledge, thinking or discovery within or beyond the field or area

• is timely given current trends, context, and needs

• impacts world-leading research, society, the economy, or the environment

Within the Vision section we also expect you to explain how your proposed work:

• is relevant to the scope of the call including at least one of the priority areas of joint interest for JST and EPSRC

For the Approach, explain how you have designed your work so that it:

• is effective and appropriate to achieve your objectives

• is feasible, and comprehensively identifies any risks to delivery and how they will be managed

• if applicable, uses a clear and transparent methodology

• if applicable, summarises the previous work and describes how this will be built upon and progressed

• will maximise translation of outputs into outcomes and impacts

• describes how your, and if applicable your team’s, research environment (in terms of the place, and relevance to the project) will contribute to the success of the work

Within the Approach section we also expect you to:

• clarify the division of the research between the teams in Japan and the UK

• provide a detailed and comprehensive project plan including milestones and timelines in the form of a Gantt chart or similar

References may be included within this section.

Research partnership

Word limit: 1,500

How does your proposed work involve collaboration between UK and Japan?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Demonstrate how the research partnership:

• involves high-level international joint research aimed at enhancing scientific and technological capabilities for both countries

• deliver the research strengths, added value and synergies that can be achieved through UK-Japan collaboration

• demonstrates a clear and feasible division of roles between the Japanese and UK research, throughout the research period

• has an appropriate approach for building and expanding the international collaboration

• and a world-leading network with clear and concrete mobility plans

• involves research exchanges and collaborations that are equitable and mutually beneficial for both countries

• advances the research field in both Japan and the UK

When providing a response you are expected to:

• describe in detail how your proposed work will add value to the advancement of the research field and the relevant research community

• describe your specific plans for building and expanding your international network through this proposal, with the aim of building, involving and developing a world-class international research community

• describe the specific networks that you expect to have established and expanded by the end of this assignment

You are able to include embedded graphics, images, charts and tables within this section to aid with response. Use of embedded graphics, images, charts and tables should only be used as necessary.

Plan for early career researcher (ECR) and international researcher mobility

Word limit: 1,000

What are your plans for early career researcher (ECR) and international researcher mobility?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Describe how your plans:

• include appropriate goals set to achieve career development of researchers including early career researchers, through international mobility activities

• involve a sufficient number of early career researchers

• are effective for developing early career researchers to become the next generation of leading researchers (succession planning) and promotes the development of early career researchers

• demonstrate the ability to support early career researchers and international talent mobility

• for the proposed project aids with researcher mobility (to include but not limited to ECR’s)

You must demonstrate a clear plan to support career development of ECR’s, mechanisms to develop the next generation of leading researchers and provide researchers (to include but not limited to ECR’s) with opportunities to achieve international mobility.

Each of the Japan and UK teams should include one or several researchers who will travel from Japan to UK and from UK to Japan respectively to conduct research (outgoing researcher). Please describe the plans of any outgoing researchers within the next two to three years, providing the following information

When providing a response please ensure to include the following information for outgoing researchers:

• name of researchers

• current host organisations

• roles

• intended host organisations in partner country

Outgoing researchers

For Japan-based applicants only, the researchers going abroad should fall under either of the following to be eligible:

• students enrolled in an advanced degree course (that is, master’s or doctoral course)

• researchers who have obtained their final degree less than 15 years ago and are conducting research activities at universities, public research institutions, and so on

Students who are enrolled in a master’s course, doctoral course or transitioned to a postdoctoral researcher position upon completion of their doctoral course are required to obtain prior approval from the project PI or Co-PI and the research institution to which they belong to in order to use ASPIRE funds.

The outgoing researchers will be expected to conduct research activities in the UK for approximately one year. There is no limit to the number of researchers who may go abroad, outgoing researchers can include the PI, Co-PI or research participants of the project.

For UK applicants only, outgoing researchers from the UK to Japan can include those assigned roles from the list below included in the core team:

• project lead (PL)

• project co-lead (UK) (PcL)

• specialist

• professional enabling staff

• research and innovation associate

• technician

• visiting researcher

• researcher co-lead (RcL)

Applicant and team capability to deliver

Word limit: 2,000

Why are you the right individual or team to successfully deliver the proposed work?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Evidence of how you, and if relevant your team, have:

• the relevant experience (appropriate to career stage) to deliver the proposed work

• the right balance of skills and expertise to cover the proposed work

• the appropriate leadership and management skills to deliver the work and your approach to develop others

• contributed to developing a positive research environment and wider community

• sufficient research achievements to demonstrate current or potential high level of international standing within global research community within relevant research fields

• an established record of relevant technology research which clearly and purposefully contributes to the scope stated in the funding opportunity

You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.

UK applicants

UK applicants should use Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to complete the applicant and team capability to deliver section of application.

The word limit for this section is 2,000 words: 1,500 words to be used for R4RI modules (including references) and, if necessary, a further 500 words for Additions.

Use the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI) format to showcase the range of relevant skills you and, if relevant, your team (project and project co-leads, researchers, technicians, specialists, partners and so on) have and how this will help deliver the proposed work. You can include individuals’ specific achievements but only choose past contributions that best evidence their ability to deliver this work.

Complete this section using the R4RI module headings listed. Use each heading once and include a response for the whole team, see the UKRI guidance on R4RI. You should consider how to balance your answer, and emphasise where appropriate the key skills each team member brings:

• contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies, or knowledge

• the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships

• contributions to the wider research and innovation community

• contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit

Additions

Provide any further details relevant to your application. This section is optional and can be up to 500 words. You should not use it to describe additional skills, experiences, or outputs, but you can use it to describe any factors that provide context for the rest of your R4RI (for example, details of career breaks if you wish to disclose them).

Complete this as a narrative. Do not format it like a CV.

References may be included within this section.

The roles in funding applications policy has descriptions of the different project roles.

Japan-based applicants

Japan-based applicants should describe the achievements of Japan-based principal investigators by using the Japan-UK AI and Information Application Form. This should be submitted to the Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad).

For further details please see JST-EPSRC Joint Application Form (DOCX, 60KB).

Resources and cost justification

Word limit: 2,000

What will you need to deliver your proposed work and how much will it cost?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Justify the application’s more costly resources, in particular:

• project staff

• significant travel for field work or collaboration (but not regular travel between collaborating organisations or to conferences), for applicants in Japan please see ASPIRE website for guidance (PDF, 1.7MB)

• any consumables beyond typical requirements, or that are required in exceptional quantities

• all facilities and infrastructure costs

• all resources that have been costed as ‘Exceptions’

You can request costs associated with reasonable adjustments where they increase as a direct result of working on the project. For further information see Disability and accessibility support for UKRI applicants and grant holders.

Assessors are not looking for detailed costs or a line-by-line breakdown of all project resources. Overall, they want you to demonstrate how the resources you anticipate needing for your proposed work:

• are comprehensive, appropriate, and justified

• represent the optimal use of resources to achieve the intended outcomes

• maximise potential outcomes and impacts

Resources and cost justification for Japan-based applicants, please check the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB) for details.

Assessors will only assess the application resources and cost justification as displayed and entered via the Funding Service.

Ethics and responsible research and innovation (RRI)

Word limit: 500

What are the ethical or RRI implications and issues relating to the proposed work? If you do not think that the proposed work raises any ethical or RRI issues, explain why.

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Demonstrate that you have identified and evaluated:

• the relevant ethical or responsible research and innovation considerations

• how you will manage these considerations

You may demonstrate elements of your responses in visual form if relevant. Further details are provided in the Funding Service.

Additional sub-questions (to be answered only if appropriate) will be included in the Funding Service. These will ask about numbers, species/strain and justification about:

• genetic and biological risk

• research involving the use of animals

• conducting research with animal overseas

• research involving human participation

• research involving human tissues or biological samples

For JST‘s Ethics and responsible research and Innovation, please check the JST Application Guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB) for details.

Additional documentation: JST-EPSRC joint application form

This question is included in the Funding Service.

Word limit: 10

Japan based applicants are required to submit the below additional information using JST-EPSRC joint application form through JST’s Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad).

For further information please see JST-EPSRC Joint AI Application Form (DOCX, 60KB).

Please upload a PDF attachment of the JST-EPSRC joint application form as it will be submitted to JST’s Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad).

For the file name, use the unique Funding Service number the system gives you when you create an application, followed by the words ‘JST-EPSRC Joint AI Application Form’.

Save this document as a single PDF file, no bigger than 8MB.

If the attachment does not meet these requirements, the application will be rejected.

The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply.

Project partners

Add details about any project partners’ contributions. If there are no project partners, you can indicate this on the Funding Service.

A project partner is a collaborating organisation who will have an integral role in the proposed research. This may include direct (cash) or indirect (in-kind) contributions such as expertise, staff time or use of facilities. Project partners may be in industry, academia, third sector or government organisations in the UK or overseas, including partners based in the EU.

Add the following project partner details:

• the organisation name and address (searchable via a drop-down list or enter the organisation’s details manually, as applicable)

• the project partner contact name and email address

• the type of contribution (direct or in-direct) and its monetary value

If a detail is entered incorrectly and you have saved the entry, remove the specific project partner record and re-add it with the correct information.

For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.

Project partners: letters (or emails) of support

Upload a single PDF containing the letters or emails of support from each partner you named in the Project Partner section. These should be uploaded in English or Welsh only.

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Enter the words ‘attachment supplied’ in the text box, or if you do not have any project partners enter N/A.  Each letter or email you provide should:

• confirm the partner’s commitment to the project

• clearly explain the value, relevance, and possible benefits of the work to them

• describe any additional value that they bring to the project

• the page limit is two sides A4 per partner

The Funding Service will provide document upload details when you apply. If you do not have any project partners, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Ensure you have prior agreement from project partners so that, if you are offered funding, they will support your project as indicated in the project partners’ section.

For audit purposes, UKRI requires formal collaboration agreements to be put in place if an award is made.

Do not provide letters of support from host and project co-leads’ research organisations.

Data management and sharing (UK applicants only)

Word limit: 1,000

How will you manage and share data collected or acquired through the proposed research?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Provide a data management plan that clearly details how you will comply with UKRI’s published data sharing policy, which includes detailed guidance notes.

Facilities (UK applicants only)

Word limit: 250

Does your proposed research require the support and use of a facility?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

If you will need to use a facility, follow your proposed facility’s normal access request procedures. Ensure you have prior agreement so that if you are offered funding, they will support the use of their facility on your project.

For each requested facility you will need to provide the:

• name of facility, copied and pasted from the facility information list (DOCX, 42KB)

• proposed usage or costs, or costs per unit where indicated on the facility information list

• confirmation you have their agreement where required

Facilities should only be named if they are on the facility information list above. If you will not need to use a facility, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

Trusted Research and Innovation (UK applicants only)

Word limit: 100

Does the proposed work involve international collaboration in a sensitive research or technology area?

What the assessors are looking for in your response

Demonstrate how your proposed international collaboration relates to Trusted Research and Innovation, including:

• list the countries your international project co-leads, project partners and visiting researchers, or other collaborators are based in

• if international collaboration is involved, explain whether this project is relevant to one or more of the 17 areas of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act

• if one or more of the 17 areas of the UK National Security and Investment (NSI) Act are involved list the areas

If your proposed work does not involve international collaboration, you will be able to indicate this in the Funding Service.

We may contact you following submission of your application to provide additional information about how your proposed project will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help manage these risks.

Background

Japan’s vision for Society 5.0 aims to transform society by digitally twinning all elements of society in cyberspace, reconfiguring institutions, business design, urban and regional development and so on, and reflecting these changes in physical space. To realise Society 5.0, it is necessary to collect and accumulate high quality data that enables advanced analysis. In addition, it is essential to develop a social infrastructure capable of advanced analysis in cyberspace, using mathematical models and data analysis technologies, while incorporating a ‘human-centred’ value system into this new process.

About ASPIRE (Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem)

ASPIRE is an initiative to develop and strengthen international joint research in scientific and technological fields of strategic priority with like-minded countries. Through this program in cooperation with partner national and regional funding agencies from these countries, JST aims to support international joint research and foster early career researchers who may be the future leaders in their fields by connecting top researchers and promoting international talent mobility.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) AI Ecosystem

UKRI published our statement of opportunities on AI, where we set out our vision for AI and our aspiration to play a key role in realising the vast potential benefits of AI, following our extensive review exercise.

Our vision is for advances in artificial intelligence in the UK to benefit society, provide skilled employment and deliver significant economic growth. Our vision is founded on:

• building ambitious new UK AI capability

• growing the UK AI research and innovation capacity in a sustainable way

• achieving positive economic, societal, and environmental impact through growth of the sector and wider adoption of AI that works for everyone

• enabling adventure and creativity in AI research and innovation

• increasing the connections across the UK’s AI research and innovation communities

UKRI will continue to fund investments that build towards its AI programme. These contribute towards delivering against the statement of opportunities on AI, the national AI strategy and the government response to the AI Actions Plan announced this year. Two examples of investment in the landscape of relevance to this funding opportunity include nine AI Hubs and two rounds of AI CDTs.

AI, digitalisation, and data

Future success of economies and societies will be driven by new and improved industries and services through transformational technologies that connect people, things and data together in a safe, smart, secure, trustworthy and productive ways. We will generate scientific and technical advances to enable this connectivity and ensure the benefits of digital technologies can be realised for the UK economy and society. This priority underpins the UKRI strategic theme: building a secure and resilient world.

Ambitions

Our ambitions are to:

• bring communities together to solve key challenges in AI and digital twins that enable the UK to lead in its development and deliver on the promise of transformation across the economy and society

• encourage adventure in research: pushing out the boundaries and exploring the edge of the possible, keeping our position as a thought leader developing transformative new technologies

• realise the transformational impact of digital technologies across industry sectors, society, and the public sector: developing technologies of the future in real world situations that are trusted, reduce negative unintended impacts and realise their potential benefits for society as well as the economy

• develop technologies that can fully embrace privacy, security, fairness, reliability, safety, transparency and accountability and inclusiveness, addressing the trade-offs that currently exist between them

• build a more secure and resilient digital society from the component through to the system level and address key challenges in the application of digital technologies in defence and security

• bring academics and users (industry, government and other key stakeholders) closer together in AI, digital twins and broader digital technology research and training to co-create research, increase translation of research into practice, build flexible and stimulating career pathways.

Research and innovation impact

Impact can be defined as the long-term intended or unintended effect research and innovation has on society, economy and the environment; to individuals, organisations, and the wider global population.

Research disruption due to COVID-19

We recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused major interruptions and disruptions across our communities. We are committed to ensuring that individual applicants and their wider team, including partners and networks, are not penalised for any disruption to their career, such as:

• breaks and delays

• disruptive working patterns and conditions

• the loss of ongoing work

• role changes that may have been caused by the pandemic

Reviewers and panel members will be advised to consider the unequal impacts that COVID-19 related disruption might have had on the capability to deliver and career development of those individuals included in the application. They will be asked to consider the capability of the applicant and their wider team to deliver the research they are proposing.

Where disruptions have occurred, you can highlight this within your application if you wish, but there is no requirement to detail the specific circumstances that caused the disruption.

Supporting documents

JST application guidelines (PDF, 1.7MB)

Related content

• How we work in artificial intelligence

• Transforming our world with AI

• AI Opportunities Action Plan (GOV.UK)

• AI Opportunities Action Plan: government response (GOV.UK)

• UKRI policies and standards

• EPSRC policies and standards

Get help with your application

If you have a question and the answers aren’t provided on this page

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Helpdesk is committed to helping users of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service as effectively and as quickly as possible. In order to manage cases at peak volume times, the Helpdesk will triage and prioritise those queries with an imminent opportunity deadline or a technical issue. Enquiries raised where information is available on the Funding Finder opportunity page and should be understood early in the application process (for example, regarding eligibility or content/remit of an opportunity) will not constitute a priority case and will be addressed as soon as possible.

Contact details

For help and advice on costings and writing your proposal please contact your research office in the first instance, allowing sufficient time for your organisation’s submission process.

For questions related to this specific funding opportunity please contact:

EPSRC contact email: AI.Robotics@epsrc.ukri.org

JST contact email: aspire-uk@jst.go.jp

Any queries regarding the system or the submission of applications through the Funding Service should be directed to the helpdesk.

Email: support@funding-service.ukri.org

Phone: 01793 547490

Our phone lines are open:

• Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5:00pm

• Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

To help us process queries quicker, we request that users highlight the council and opportunity name in the subject title of their email query, include the application reference number, and refrain from contacting more than one mailbox at a time.

For further information on submitting an application read How applicants use the Funding Service.