UK – Japan Arctic Research Bursaries Scheme 2024-25

Researchers in the United Kingdom and Japan are well-placed to develop important new Arctic science partnerships that address pressing research questions. These partnerships can support the development of skill- and knowledge-based networks to strengthen researchers’ capability in both communities; generate innovative technical and observational approaches; and create lasting research connections.

The United Kingdom’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, working closely with the Science and Innovation Network in the British Embassy Tokyo and the NERC Arctic Office, is funding a new bursaries scheme to support new UK-Japan Arctic science connections.

The outcomes of the bursaries programme are expected to support and further develop long-lasting research and collaboration links between UK-based and Japan-based researchers; to provide access opportunities for UK-based researchers to work with new partners in Japan; and develop ideas for future international projects.

Bursary Details

• UK-based applicants: This programme is open to UK-based researchers in a broad range of science fields. Applications will be particularly welcomed from early career scientists and all those researchers within groups under-represented across the research community. It is expected that applicants will normally be employed in positions within UK institutions. PhD candidates undertaking the research as part of their qualification will not usually be eligible. Proposals could be for a single researcher or a small number of UK-based researchers working collaboratively. Eligible costs should not exceed £50,000 in total. Applications for smaller sums are especially welcome. All costs will be funded at 100 per cent.
• Japan-based partners: The programme is intended to foster new UK research engagement with researchers based in Japan. It will be the responsibility of the UK-based applicant to obtain written and specific permission for the UK-based researcher to join with the Japan-based researcher or team, together with confirmation that any appropriate permits and access provisions are – or will be – in place. This letter and permission must come from the Japan-based researcher.
• Timelines: All funded bursary activity must be completed during the 2024-25 financial year (1 April 2024 -31 March 2025)

Research Fields

• Applications are welcomed from across the full range of Arctic environmental, social and cultural research themes, including: cryosphere, atmosphere, social and human, health, marine, and terrestrial research.

Supported Activities

• The expectation is that this will be for practical work, networking and partnership building, including science cruises, fieldwork and associated research and laboratory work as required, undertaken in the financial year 2024-25 (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025). Applications may be for work which addresses a specific research question or which is part of a wider initiative where the bursary scheme will add value and impact. Applications can be for work which is focused on capacity and confidence building in new joint teams, sharing skills and techniques, developing practical methods, developing and deploying new equipment and innovative technology – including autonomous vehicles – and beyond.
• The programme will not generally be available to support existing UK-Japan joint research projects but will focus on new or significantly extended collaborations. Researchers with existing partnerships must clearly identify the additional value and the new aspects of the collaboration in their application.

Eligible costs can include

• Travel, accommodation and subsistence, development/purchasing/hire/use of special equipment, logistics and shipping costs, specific training and permit/access costs. Where appropriate, travel and related subsistence costs for Japan-based researchers to visit the UK can be eligible. Salary costs and associated costs, such as insurance, will not normally be eligible. Conference costs are unlikely to be eligible unless there are specific and focused links to the bursary, and fieldwork or other practical project work forms the major part of the proposal. Publication costs will not normally be eligible.
• All funds will be dispersed to a UK-based institution. However, in the proposal, applicants may identify appropriate opportunities to support the activities of Japan-based research partners should their application be successful.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants who are normally able to apply for UK Research and Innovation funding will be eligible to apply.

For more information, visit NERC Arctic Office.