Solicitation of Incubation Study Proposals for FY2008

Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

In keeping with the attached implementation policy setting forth our basic perspectives on execution of research projects, we at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) are soliciting proposals for incubation studies (IS) to be conducted jointly by RIHN and non-RIHN researchers, for the purpose of unearthing new seeds in the field of comprehensive research for the resolution of global environmental problems.
The IS are to be aimed at transition to a Feasibility Study (FS) in September 2008 or April 2009 and Full Research (FR) upon assessment both within the RIHN and by the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) (at the end of a fiscal year).

1. Eligibility for application
(1) Professors, associate professors, lecturers, or assistant professors attached to universities or equivalent institutions, or other parties attached to private-sector research institutes or equivalent institutions and deemed to possess the equivalent or higher research capabilities (Applications must be approved by the head of the institution to which the applicant is attached.) -- Applicants are asked to add RIHN researchers to the list of members of the proposed joint research project.

2. Research themes
Please refer to the RIHN brochure and select a theme or themes upon full consultation with the RIHN researchers.

3. Research term
June 2008 - February 28, 2009 (IS which make the transition to FS in September 2008 will be considered finished at that time.)

4. Requisite expense
The RIHN will assume the burden of expenses up to the budget ceiling (about JPY300,000) for items such as travel (expenses incurred for conventional travel by staff, committee members, and other such personnel) and expendables. (You are required to submit your budget plan.)

5. Application procedure
Please fill out the prescribed application form and submit it, through the RIHN researcher who is to be a member of the proposed project, to the Research Cooperation Officer of the RIHN Research Cooperation Section no later than Tuesday, April 8, 2008.

Schedule for activities upon the end of the application term (subject to change)

6. Screening procedure
Research themes (proposals) will be screened by the Project Review Task Committee (PRT) and finalized by the Executive Board of RIHN. For proposals that pass the documentary screening, hearings will be held on the details of applications, as necessary.

7. Transition from IS to FS
IS (from about six months to one year; about JPY300,000)
      ↓
FS (from about six months to one year; about JPY5,000,000)
      ↓
(Assessment by the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC)
: a 15-minute presentation in English followed by a 15-minute Q&A session)
      ↓
Pre-Research (PR; the transition from FS to FR takes about one year)
      ↓
FR: 5 years

8. Other matters
(1) In preparing applications, please engage in full consultation with the RIHN researcher who is to be a member of the project.
(2) If the project makes the transition to FR, it will become necessary for the project leader to become a full-time RIHN professor or associate professor (PR - one year, FR - five years).

9. Inquiries

(1) On the type of research	Yo-ichiro SATO, Program Director TEL: +81-75-707-2380 e-mail:
(2) On procedures	Rika OGATA, International Affairs Section TEL: +81-75-707-2152 e-mail: