JPN / ENG

Let us get acquainted
with Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI)!

I want to build my own research career!
I have found a topic that I want to explore further!
I want to foster junior researchers!
Thus, there are many reasons for doing research.
We will explain everything concerning the application process for KAKENHI, about which you may be rather hesitant to ask now!

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STEP 1
Before the public call

POINT 01
Know your research category

Let us look at each of the research categories one by one, organizing the following perspectives:

① Research subject

What are the objectives and directions of the research you wish to pursue, taking into account your own career as a researcher?

② Project organization

Is the research to be conducted by an individual or a group of researchers?

③Research period

How many years is the research plan to be conducted over?

④Research expenses

How much research funding is needed to attain the research objectives?

Research category framework (with reference to AY2023)
(Average annual allocation for all categories: approx. 2.36 million yen)

研究種目体系

pdf

*The circled numbers in each research category indicate the adoption rate.
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) are competitive research funds that are intended to significantly develop all scientific research (research based on the free ideas of the researcher), from basic to applied sciences in all fields, ranging from Humanities and Social Sciences to Natural Sciences. The grants provide financial support for creative and pioneering research projects that will become the foundation of social development through a peer-review screening process (screening by multiple researchers whose field of specialization is close to that of the applicant).

POINT 02
Know how the screening process works

Screening is conducted based on the review section selected in light of the research plan proposed by the applicant. It is not an exaggeration to say that the selection of the appropriate review section is the deciding factor in the acceptance or rejection of an application, particularly since peer review is conducted by multiple researchers with similar specialization.

1 Learn how the review sections are classified on the JSPS website.
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-grants/grants03.html
2 Use the free word search function in the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Database, where information on past adoption results for KAKENHI is centralized, and freely state research themes and keywords of your interest. It will be helpful to know what kind of research themes and keywords have been adopted and in what review sections.
https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/en/

POINT 03
Know the schedule

While the majority of applications for Scientific Research (S, A, B, and C), Early-Career Scientists, and Challenging Research are solicited in the summer of the previous year, applications for the Research Activity Start-up, which is mainly for researchers who are applying for KAKENHI for the first time after employment at universities, etc. or for those returning from childcare leave, etc., are solicited in the spring of the same year. The screening process is conducted according to different review sections and screening methods for each research category, and the adopted proposals are selected. The screening period is relatively longer for research categories that undergo a hearing review, and the time of adoption (semi-formal decision) differs for each research category.
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Schedule from public call to semi-formal decision
(excerpts of some reference categories for AY2023)

スケジュール

pdf

*Please be sure to confirm the details after the announcement of the public call for applications.

POINT 04
Know the application documents and application procedures

The content of the application documents varies for each research category. In addition, depending on the research category and the review section, each screening committee member may review more than 100 applications, so there is not much time to devote to a single application. In order to attract the attention of screening committee members with just a dozen or so pages of content, the first step to successful adoption is to employ conspicuous and easy-to-understand text, charts, and various other devices.
To start with, you should download the application documents for the relevant research category, as well as the application guidelines for previous years, and start by preparing a draft.

Information on publicly solicited applications for AY2024

Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research *In the JSPS website
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-grants/

POINT 05
Check eligibility requirements

Ritsumeikan University accepts applications for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research according to the position. For details, please check the eligibility list posted on the Division of Research website.
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/research/member/file/004/060/060-p05.pdf (in Japanese only)

STEP 2
After the public call has been opened

POINT 06
Read the application guidelines carefully

The application guidelines are revised every year. In particular, since the schedule for the AY2024 Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research has been further brought forward, early preparation would determine the outcome of your application. Please be sure to verify accurate information on the research categories, review sections, schedule, application documents, etc.

POINT 07
Check the application schedule within the University

Please check the Division of Research website for guidance materials with information on the application procedures within the University.
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/research/member/kakenhi/oubo/Information/KAKENHI.html/

POINT 08
Obtain (confirm) your ID and password for the electronic application system for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

The application process is structured in such a way that you can access the electronic application system for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research to submit your application. Those who are applying for the first time need to obtain an ID and password to access the system in advance (through registration with the e-Rad), so please contact the Research Office at your campus. If you have applied in the past, you can continue to use the same ID and password. If you have forgotten your password, please contact the Research Office at your campus.
(mostly in Japanese, but English forms and notice are available at the bottom of the page)

Top page for the electronic system on the JSPS website

STEP 3
Prepare application documents
and
Take advantage of the Research Office

The Research Office provides full support for your application for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research. Research Offices will provide the following support services: (i) Holding an internal application briefing session after the call for applications has begun, (ii) Administrative checks based on the instructions for preparing and filling out the application documents to be submitted, and (iii) Brush-up support by KAKENHI application advisors consisting of faculty members who have been adopted multiple times for KAKENHI, etc. in the past and have served as KAKENHI screening committee members.We will actively provide important information on KAKENHI applications by posting information on the Division of Research website and distributing e-mails.
https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/research/member/kakenhi/oubo/Information/KAKENHI.html/
If you have any questions or concerns about applying for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, please feel free to contact the Research Office at your campus.



Contact information for KAKENHI applications at the Research Office by campus

Kinugasa Campus and Suzaku Campus

Research Office at Kinugasa Campus
(2F, Shugakukan Hall)
Tel:075-465-8224
shinseik@st.ritsumei.ac.jp

Biwako-Kusatsu Campus

Research Office at Biwako-Kusatsu Campus 
(3F, Research Center for Disaster Mitigation System)
Tel:077-561-2802
b-kaken@st.ritsumei.ac.jp

Osaka Ibaraki Campus

Research Office at Osaka Ibaraki Campus 
(8F, Building A)
Tel:072-665-2570
o-kaken1@st.ritsumei.ac.jp

科研費トップ
Division of Research: Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research website

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