Deadline: 03-Sep-2026
The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), has announced the Japan–Indonesia Research Cooperation Program 2026 to support collaborative research between Indonesian and Japanese researchers. The program funds interdisciplinary research projects in areas including Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Emerging Technologies through a joint call mechanism.
The initiative supports international research partnerships between Indonesia and Japan under a cost-sharing model, where BRIN funds Indonesian research teams and JSPS funds Japanese research teams separately. Up to two research proposals will be selected, with each project receiving support for a maximum period of three years.
Overview of the BRIN–JSPS Japan–Indonesia Research Cooperation Program 2026
The Japan–Indonesia Research Cooperation Program 2026 is a bilateral research initiative established through a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between BRIN and JSPS.
The program aims to:
- Strengthen scientific collaboration between Indonesia and Japan.
- Support high-quality international research projects.
- Encourage interdisciplinary research approaches.
- Promote knowledge exchange between Indonesian and Japanese researchers.
- Generate research outputs with international impact.
The program follows a Joint Call mechanism, allowing research teams from both countries to collaborate on shared scientific objectives.
Research Priority Areas
The program supports research proposals across broad academic and scientific disciplines.
Eligible research fields include:
- Humanities.
- Social Sciences.
- Natural Sciences.
- Emerging Technologies.
The interdisciplinary scope allows researchers to address complex global and regional challenges through collaboration between different fields of expertise.
Funding Mechanism
The BRIN–JSPS program uses a cost-sharing funding model.
Under this mechanism:
- BRIN provides funding support for Indonesian research teams.
- JSPS provides funding support for Japanese research teams.
- Researchers cannot transfer funds across countries.
- Each national research team manages its own allocated funding.
This structure ensures that both countries contribute equally to international research collaboration while maintaining separate financial management systems.
Number of Funded Projects and Duration
The program will select a limited number of collaborative research projects.
Funding details:
- Maximum number of selected proposals: 2 projects.
- Maximum project duration: 3 years.
- Funding continuation: Subject to annual performance evaluation.
Multi-year funding will depend on successful progress reviews and compliance with program requirements.
Funding Support for Indonesian Research Teams
Indonesian research teams may receive funding support from BRIN.
Funding details:
- Maximum funding amount: IDR 1,000,000,000 per project per year.
The approved budget must follow specific allocation limits.
Budget restrictions include:
- Personnel costs: Maximum 25% of total budget.
- Capital expenditure: Maximum 10% of total budget.
- International travel: Maximum 10% of total budget.
- Indirect institutional costs: Maximum 5% of total budget.
Ineligible Expenses
Certain costs are not supported under this program.
Applicants cannot use funds for:
- Full asset purchases.
- Institutional fees.
- Patent registration costs.
- Expenses outside approved research activities.
Researchers must ensure that proposed budgets comply with BRIN funding regulations.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The program is open to qualified Indonesian researchers collaborating with Japanese research partners.
Eligible Indonesian applicants include:
- Researchers affiliated with BRIN.
- Researchers from legally recognized Indonesian research institutions.
- University researchers.
- Researchers from industry organizations registered under SEBARIS.
Principal Investigator Requirements
The Indonesian Principal Investigator (PI) must meet specific eligibility requirements.
The PI must:
- Be an Indonesian citizen.
- Be affiliated with an eligible Indonesian research institution.
- Hold at least a master’s degree.
- Be actively pursuing a doctoral degree.
- Have a research background relevant to the proposed project.
- Maintain an appropriate scientific track record.
- Comply with workload regulations if employed as a civil servant.
Additional participation rule:
- Each researcher may participate in a maximum of three proposals under this program.
International Collaboration Requirements
The program requires genuine collaboration between Indonesian and Japanese research teams.
Project requirements include:
- Indonesian and Japanese teams must submit proposals with identical project titles.
- Both teams must submit applications separately to their respective funding agencies.
- Research objectives and methodologies must be aligned between both countries.
- Both teams must share responsibility for project implementation.
How to Apply for the BRIN–JSPS Research Program
Applicants must complete the submission process according to BRIN and JSPS requirements.
Step 1: Develop a Joint Research Proposal
Indonesian and Japanese researchers must prepare a collaborative research plan.
The proposal should include:
- Research objectives.
- Scientific background.
- Methodology.
- Expected outcomes.
- Collaboration roles.
- Publication plans.
- Budget details.
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
Applicants must submit complete supporting documents.
Required documents include:
- Research proposal.
- Institutional approval documents.
- Curriculum vitae (CVs) of research team members.
- Detailed budget plan.
- Other required administrative documents.
All documents must be prepared in English.
Step 3: Submit Through the BRIN Funding System
Indonesian applicants must submit their proposals through the BRIN research funding platform.
Japanese applicants must submit corresponding documents through the JSPS application system.
Both applications must match in title and research content.
Step 4: Evaluation and Selection
Submitted proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Research quality.
- Scientific significance.
- Feasibility.
- International collaboration value.
- Research team qualifications.
- Expected research impact.
A maximum of two projects will be selected.
Research Output Requirements
Funded projects must produce measurable research outcomes.
Publication requirements include:
- At least one international journal publication for a one-year project.
- Higher cumulative publication targets for multi-year projects.
Additional obligations include:
- Intellectual property registration when applicable.
- Research data reporting to the national repository.
- Compliance with research ethics requirements.
- Completion of required reporting procedures.
Ethical and Regulatory Requirements
Researchers must comply with all applicable regulations.
Projects may require:
- Ethical clearance approval.
- Foreign research permissions.
- Institutional approvals.
- Data management compliance.
Applicants are responsible for securing all necessary approvals before conducting research activities.
Why This Program Matters
The BRIN–JSPS Japan–Indonesia Research Cooperation Program strengthens scientific relationships between Indonesia and Japan.
The program supports:
- International knowledge exchange.
- Development of advanced research capacity.
- Innovation through cross-border collaboration.
- Stronger academic and industry partnerships.
- Research solutions addressing regional and global challenges.
By connecting researchers from both countries, the program contributes to long-term scientific cooperation and innovation development.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting proposals with different titles between Indonesian and Japanese applications.
- Applying without an eligible institutional affiliation.
- Exceeding budget allocation limits.
- Including unsupported expenses.
- Failing to provide complete documentation.
- Ignoring publication and reporting requirements.
- Submitting proposals unrelated to the approved research fields.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal
Applicants can improve their proposals by:
- Building a strong partnership with a qualified Japanese research team.
- Clearly defining each partner’s role.
- Demonstrating scientific importance and innovation potential.
- Preparing a realistic and compliant budget.
- Highlighting expected international research impact.
- Including a clear publication and knowledge-sharing strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the BRIN–JSPS Japan–Indonesia Research Cooperation Program 2026?
It is a bilateral research funding program organized by BRIN and JSPS to support collaborative research projects between Indonesian and Japanese researchers.
What research areas are supported?
The program supports Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Emerging Technologies.
How many projects will receive funding?
A maximum of two research proposals will be selected under the Joint Call mechanism.
How long can funded projects continue?
Each project may receive funding for up to three years, subject to annual performance evaluation.
How much funding can Indonesian research teams receive?
Indonesian teams may receive up to IDR 1,000,000,000 per project per year from BRIN.
Can Indonesian and Japanese researchers transfer funds between countries?
No. The program uses a cost-sharing mechanism, meaning BRIN funds Indonesian researchers and JSPS funds Japanese researchers separately.
What are the publication requirements?
Projects must produce international research publications, with at least one international journal publication required for one-year projects and higher targets for longer projects.
Conclusion
The BRIN–JSPS Japan–Indonesia Research Cooperation Program 2026 provides a major opportunity for researchers to develop international collaborations and advance scientific innovation. Through joint research, shared expertise, and structured funding support, the program aims to strengthen Indonesia–Japan research partnerships and produce impactful outcomes across multiple academic and technological fields.
For more information, visit BRIN.
