Call for Proposals: e-ASIA Joint Research Program

Deadline: 31-Mar-2026

The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (JRP) 15th Call invites multilateral research applications in agriculture across East Asia. Focus areas include post-harvest and agro-industrial innovation, climate-resilient farming, and Agriculture 4.0 technologies. Projects require collaboration among at least three countries and aim to strengthen regional research capacity and knowledge sharing.

Overview

The e-ASIA JRP 15th Call aims to address key agricultural challenges in East Asia and neighboring regions. The program promotes multilateral collaboration, sharing of expertise, and the development of research capacity through joint projects.

The Agriculture Research stream focuses on two main themes:

• Post-harvest and Agro-industrial Innovation: Enhancing post-harvest handling, reducing losses, developing value-added processing, and promoting sustainable use of agro-industrial waste via circular economy approaches.

• Smart and Climate-Resilient Farming: Improving crop resilience, precision and digital farming, smart irrigation, and controlled-environment agriculture to strengthen productivity and sustainability.

The call particularly encourages proposals contributing to integrated agriculture data platforms, data sharing, interoperability, and the transition toward Agriculture 4.0.

Participating Member Organizations

The participating Member Organizations are:

• Indonesia: National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)

• Japan: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)

• Malaysia: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM)

• Philippines: Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD)

Multilateral collaboration among researchers from these organizations is a core requirement of the program.

Who is Eligible?

• Projects must include at least three countries

• Each country must be represented by a national Principal Investigator (PI)

• One Lead Principal Investigator (Lead PI) oversees the overall project coordination and acts as the primary contact with the e-ASIA JRP Secretariat

• National PIs manage their respective country teams and ensure compliance with national submission requirements

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete the Application Form

• Use the e-ASIA Common Application Form

• Complete in English

• Follow strict formatting and content requirements

Step 2: Include Mandatory Documents

• Detailed project description

• Expected outcomes and interdisciplinary contributions

• Roles of each country’s researchers and value of collaboration

• Curriculum vitae of PIs

• Ethical compliance documentation

Step 3: Submit Online

• Ensure adherence to formatting, content, and submission guidelines

• Late or incomplete submissions may not be processed

Evaluation Process

• Assessment is conducted by each Member Organization

• Shortlisted proposals undergo joint panel review

• Final approval by the e-ASIA JRP Board

Evaluation Criteria:

• Regional relevance and mutual benefits of joint research

• Effectiveness of researcher exchange programs

• Engagement of early career researchers and female researchers

• Capacity building and overall project impact

Reporting and Dissemination

• Successful consortia must submit progress and final reports

• Actively disseminate project achievements to the public

• Promote broader knowledge sharing and regional adoption of research results

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Including fewer than three countries in the consortium

• Failing to designate a Lead Principal Investigator

• Submitting forms not fully completed or improperly formatted

• Omitting CVs, ethical compliance documents, or detailed project descriptions

• Neglecting to explain interdisciplinary contributions and collaborative value

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can a consortium include more than three countries?
Yes, including more countries is encouraged to strengthen regional collaboration.

2. Who serves as the main contact with the e-ASIA JRP Secretariat?
The Lead Principal Investigator coordinates all communications and project management.

3. Are early career researchers required?
Yes, proposals should include plans to engage early career and female researchers.

4. What are the submission requirements?
Applications must be completed in English, follow strict formatting, and include detailed project descriptions, CVs, and ethical compliance documents.

5. Can project outcomes be published?
Yes, successful consortia are expected to disseminate achievements publicly.

6. What is the evaluation process?
Proposals are assessed by each Member Organization, reviewed jointly by a panel, and approved by the e-ASIA JRP Board.

7. Are there restrictions on project themes?
Projects must focus on post-harvest innovation, agro-industrial development, smart and climate-resilient farming, and Agriculture 4.0 applications.

Conclusion

The e-ASIA JRP 15th Call provides a strategic platform for multilateral agricultural research in East Asia. By promoting collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge sharing, the program strengthens regional research capabilities and advances innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture. Successful consortia not only contribute to scientific progress but also help transform agricultural practices and resilience in the region, fostering long-term food security and economic growth.

For more information, visit e-ASIA JR.