Public Announcement for FY2012 Incubation Studies (IS) Application
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN)

I. Background Information

The Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN) is an inter-university research institute established in 2001 by the Japanese government to promote integrated research with a view toward creating academic disciplines that help to solve global environmental problems.

Until recently, many environmental studies have been undertaken individually in various scientific fields. Proclaiming since its inception that “global environmental problems have their origin in human-cultural issues,” RIHN has pursued its mission of elucidating the essence of environmental problems and presenting an integrated view of the state of humanity and nature.

In an attempt to shed light on the question of “human-nature interactions,” RIHN is involved in research work in various issues and areas. Having identified our five research domains of “circulation,” “diversity,” “resources,” “ecohistory,” and “ecosophy,” we are pursuing research projects under a diverse range of themes. In the goals/plans for the Second Phase of Mid-term Planning that began in FY2010, we aim to reveal the true nature of global environmental problems by developing consilience that combines the research domain programs with futurability initiatives, thus launching a series of projects geared toward designing a future society under a new paradigm.

II. Application Guidelines

1. Descriptions of Incubation Studies

Incubation Studies (IS) are projects jointly conducted by RIHN researchers and researchers affiliated with other research institutes for the purpose of discovering new seeds for integrated research designed to offer solutions to global environmental problems. Under RIHN's research project structure, IS will be subjected to an evaluation of several stages. First, IS will be commenced for a period of six to twelve months and then it will be considered to be promoted to a stage of preparatory research (a stage of coordinating feasibility studies, hereinafter, “Coordination FS”). After the upgrade to Coordination FS is approved following an internal project review, research will continue for another six or twelve months. If qualified by RIHN's internal project review and the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC), which comprises reviewers from Japan and other countries, the proposed project may be developed into a full research project with the RIHN Board of Advisors' approval.

We are currently inviting researchers for joint research under the framework of IS that would seek approval to be upgrade to Coordination FS stage in either October 2012 or April 2013, and then aim to be promoted to a Coordination Research Project based on the results of evaluation at the end of the relevant fiscal year.

2. Eligibility

1) Professors, associate professors, lecturers, and assistant professors of national, public, and private universities, and other relevant institutions/centers.
2) Those acknowledged by the RIHN Director-General as being equivalent or superior to those in 1) above in their ability to promote research.

3. Project theme

A project theme shall be chosen after preliminary discussions with RIHN’s research and education staff and in accordance with the RIHN Mission and Goals explained in RIHN Prospectus, on our website, and etc. (See “II. 7. References” for more details.)

4. Research period

From May 2012 to the end of February 2013 (If promoted to Coordination FS in October 2012, IS will be deemed complete at that time).

5. Necessary expenses

For successful applicants, RIHN will cover travel expenses, supplies expenses, etc. within the limits of its budget. Please form budget planning for about 1 million yen from 300,000 yen per affair.
(Such subsidies may not be used for purchasing supplies the value of which is over JPY100,000)

6. Schedule after application (subject to change)

• Review of documents	Tuesday, April10, 2012
• Research Presentations (w/ interviews with successful applicants)	Monday, April 16, 2012
• Review for adoption	Tuesday, April 24, 2012
• Commencement of research	Tuesday, May 1, 2012
• IS Reporting/FS Promotion Presentations	Friday, September 7, 2012
• Decision for promotion to FS (for the October term)	Tuesday, September 25, 2012
• RIHN Research Project Presentations*	Wednesday, December 5–Friday, December 7, 2012
*If promoted to Coordination FS in October, FS research results must be presented.
• IS Reporting/FS Promotion Presentations	Friday, March 1, 2013
• Decision for promotion to FS	Tuesday, March 26, 2013

7. References

Please use the following links to download the reference materials.

• Basic Policies on Research Activities of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature: Attached
• Mission and Goals: RIHN website
• Founding Mission and Goals: RIHN website
• Reviewing and Implementation Process of the Research Projects: RIHN web site
• Rules for Research Projects of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature: Attached
• Operational Rules for Research Projects of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature: Attached
• IS and FS Review Procedural Manual of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature: Attached

III. Submission of Application Forms

1. Documents to be submitted

Please use the following links to download the application forms, etc.

• Attached Form: Application Form for FY2012 Incubation Studies (IS) (doc)(Approval from the head of your affiliation or their equivalent is required.)
• Attached Form 1: IS Research Plan (doc)
• Attached Form 2: IS Budget Plan (doc)
• Attached Form 3: Resume (doc)

2. Due date: Applications must arrive no later than Tuesday, April 3, 2012.

3. Sent to: International Affairs Subsection , Research Cooperation Section,
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
457-4, Motoyama, Kamigyo, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8047 JAPAN

IV. Screening

The RIHN Project Review Task Committee will screen the application including budget planning. The project proposals that passed the document review will be subjected to a general reviewing process, which includes a public hearing with participation of RIHN members, before a final decision is made by the RIHN Executive Board.

V. Others

• Travel expenses to attend Research Presentations (w/interviews with successful applicants) shall be at your own expense.

• If your proposal is accepted as IS, a research representative (the applicant) will be required to present an IS report and FS research plan at the IS Reporting/FS Promotion Presentations (See “II. 6. Schedule after application” above). (RIHN will cover travel expenses)

• When your IS has been promoted to Coordination FS, the research representative is required to assume a position as Visiting Professor or Visiting Associate Professor at RIHN (Coordination FS duration of six to twelve months). Also, when Coordination FS has been promoted to a full research project, the leader is required to assume a position as full-time Professor or Associate Professor at RIHN.

• Acceptance of an outside researcher to RIHN as a full-time Professor or Associate Professor will require a temporary transfer agreement or a relevant documentation between RIHN and the research representative’s affiliated institute.

• Inquiries

International Affairs Subsection, Research Cooperation Section, Administrative Office

Tel: +81-75-707-2152

E-mail: