SMBC Kyoto University Studio has begun accepting submissions of new research themes that will lead to the resolution of social issues from Kyoto University faculty, staff, and students.
In this open call, we are looking for research themes that will lead to the resolution of social issues, regardless of academic field or approach. The program will involve working with the SMBC Group to implement the selected themes in society. We have prepared two courses based on the maturity of the research and the desired output.
SMBC Kyoto University Studio is a place for co-creation that values dialogue with society, and is characterized by promoting research with an eye toward commercialization through dialogue with various stakeholders. For this open call, too, we will provide a forum for exchanging opinions on the direction of social implementation, including the perspectives of venture capitalists and other members of the industrial world, from the screening stage, and will conduct selection through constructive dialogue.
In addition, the number of young researchers under the age of 40 in Japan is declining year by year. Japan's international research capabilities have declined significantly over the past decade, with the number of top 10% adjusted papers (*) ranking 4th in the world until the mid-2000s, but expected to fall to 13th in 2024. For this reason, in addition to supporting university research activities, this open call for applicants also aims to actively accept applications from students and young researchers who are working on challenging research with free ideas. This will lead to the development and production of researchers who will work to solve social issues.
(*) The number of papers extracted was calculated by extracting papers that were in the top 10% of the number of citations in each field each year, and adjusting the number to 1/10 of the actual number of papers.
Recruitment Course
"Co-creation Course (Joint Research Type)"
Support amount: 10 to 30 million yen/year (tax included)
Duration: 2-3 years
A joint business plan was drawn up together with the Japan Research Institute, a think tank of the SMBC Group. During the support period, the course aims to carry out research in collaboration while implementing the ideas in society.
"Discovery Course (Subsidy Type)"
Support amount: Up to 5 million yen/year (tax included)
Duration: 1 year
This course aims to discover the seeds that will lead to joint business ideas by having the proposer take the lead in conducting feasibility studies on hypotheses that will lead to the creation of social value throughout the support period.
Recruitment details
All research proposals aimed at solving contemporary social issues are eligible, regardless of academic field (including humanities and sciences) or approach to the solution.
We also look forward to receiving presentations on topics that will lead to solutions to social issues not only in Japan, but also in Asia and globally.
Application Requirements
①Faculty members, staff members, and students affiliated with Kyoto University
*Students and postdoctoral researchers must consider their supervisor as a co-researcher.
2. People who want to take on the challenge of implementing the seeds of their own ideas and research into society
③Those who can attend the second interview (please check the university-only open recruitment information page for the location and date)
Application period
Friday, December 13, 2024 - Friday, February 28, 2025 17:00
For other details, please see "Call for proposals pagePlease see the application guidelines for "Kyoto University Applications (limited to Kyoto University students)." An explanatory video is also available.
Contact Us
Kyoto University Growth Strategy Headquarters SMBC Kyoto University Studio
email : smbc_ku-studio*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Please change * to @
