University of Tokyo: UTokyo and CNRS launch the CNRS-UTokyo “Excellence Science” Joint Research Program

The University of Tokyo and France’s Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) have launched a joint call for proposals between the two institutions in order to develop a new promising cooperation.

The CNRS is among the world’s leading research institutions which was established in 1939 as the French state research organization. UTokyo and CNRS have long been engaged in research exchanges and collaborations. Also, the CNRS-UTokyo Round Table Conference titled “Women in Science” was held as part of CNRS’s 80th anniversary in 2019.

The joint call is intended to fund joint research projects for 3 years, including funding for Ph.D. students so that they may work towards obtaining their doctorate degrees. The selected joint research project will have two Ph.D. students (one from CNRS, one from UTokyo) associated with it. The ultimate aim for these students is for them to obtain a doctorate degree based on the work they do on the joint research over the three years.

The call for candidates was open from 22 February 2021 to 22 April 2021.

A total of 40 eligible proposals were received in response to the joint call and based on the evaluation by experts, the Joint Selection Committee selected six projects.
The projects will start from this autumn.