Collaborative Opportunities
Academic Collaboration Funding Opportunities (as of April 2026)
Funding Stages
Stage 1: Initiating collaboration
Stage 2: Developing collaboration
Stage 3: Scaling up collaboration
Government Funding Scheme
| Program | Funding Agency | Type | Stage | Typical Use | Who can apply | Application period / deadline (FY2026 example) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sakura Science Exchange Program (Course A, B, C) | JST | Mobility | 1 | Short-term exchange through visiting a host institution to start or deepen collaboration between Japanese and overseas institutions | Japan side | Multiple rounds annualy
(e.g. Feb, Apr, Jun 2026) |
Visit |
| Sakura Science Exchange Program (Course D: Annual Mutual Exchange Course) | JST | Mobility | 1~2 | Mutual exchange for talent development, networking, and future joint research between partner institutions | Japan side | Annually
(e.g. Apr 2026) |
Visit |
| LOTUS Programme (LOTUS Basic/LOTUS-ASPIRE) | JST | Mobility | 2 | Research mobility in Japan under ongoing or upcoming Japan–India joint research | Japan side | Call announced in FY2024–FY2026
(Jun 2026 for FY2026) |
Visit |
| Bilateral Exchange Programs (Joint Research/Seminars) | DST+JSPS | Research collaboration | 2 | Joint research or seminar with an existing or developing Japanese academic partner | Japan and India side | Annually
(e.g. Sep 2025) |
Visit |
| Bilateral Exchange Programs (Joint Research/Seminars) | ICSSR+JSPS | Research collaboration | 2 | Joint research or seminar with an existing or developing Japanese partner in social sciences | Japan and India side | Annually
(e.g. Sep 2025) |
Visit |
| Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan (Short-term/Long-term) | JSPS | Mobility | 2 | Collaborative research and academic exchange in Japan with a Japanese host researcher for a researcher | Japan side | Multiple rounds annualy
(e.g. Aug 2025, Apr 2026) |
Visit |
| Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Standard) | JSPS | Mobility | 2 | Collaborative research in Japan with a Japanese host researcher for a postdoctoral or early-career researcher | Japan side | Multiple rounds annualy
(e.g. Aug 2025, Apr 2026) |
Visit |
| SATREPS | JST/AMED (infectious disease) +JICA | Research collaboration | 3 | Large-scale international joint research addressing global and development challenges | Japan and India side | Annual
(e.g. Oct 2025) |
Visit |
Selected Private Funding Scheme
| Program | Funding Agency | Type | Stage | Typical Use | Who can apply | Application period / deadline (FY2026 example) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Academic Exchange Support | Kajima Foundation | Research collaboration | 1-2 | Small to medium-sized international symposia and seminars held in Japan | Japan side | Annual (e.g. Oct 2026) | Visit |
| Researcher Exchange Support | Kajima Foundation | Research collaboration | 3 | Short- or long-term researcher exchange with Japanese institutions | Japan side | Annual (e.g. Oct 2026) | Visit |
| Research Grants | Kajima Foundation | Research collaboration | 3 | International joint research with Japanese researchers, especially under the international joint research grant category | Japan side | Annual (e.g. Oct 2026) | Visit |
| R&D Subsidy (Overseas) Program | Terumo Life Science Foundation | Research collaboration | 2-3 | International R&D in medical, public health, and life science fields with a Japanese contact institution | India side | Annual (e.g. Aug 2026) | Visit |
Industry-Academic Collaboration Funding Opportunities (as of April 2026)
Funding Stages
Stage 1: Initiating collaboration
Stage 2: Developing collaboration
Stage 3: Scaling up collaboration
Government Funding Scheme
| Program | Funding Agency | Type | Stage | Typical Use | Who can apply | Application period / deadline (FY2026 example) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEDO International Opportunities | NEDO | Research collaboration | 3 | Applied R&D, feasibility studies, or demonstration projects with Japanese industry partners | Japan side | Varies by Scheme | Visit |
| JICA Biz | JICA | Buisiness development | 2-3 | Business validation or needs confirmation for collaboration with Japanese companies in India | Japan side | Twice a year (e.g. Jun, Nov 2026) | Visit |
| Global Internship Support | METI | Internship | 1-2 | Internship opportunities in Japan involving foreign students and Japanese companies | Japan side | Annual (TBD for 2026) | TBD for 2026 |
| Global South Future-Oriented Co-creation and Related Projects Grant | METI | Business development | 2-3 | Collaboration linked to Japanese companies’ entry into the Indian market | Japan side | Annual (TBD for 2026) | TBD for 2026 |
Selected Private Funding Scheme
| Program | Funding Agency | Type | Stage | Typical Use | Who can apply | Application period / deadline (FY2026 example) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Development Grant | Mitsubishi UFJ Technology Development Foundation | Research Collaboration | 2-3 | Technology and product development led by Japanese SMEs | Japan side | Twice a year (e.g. May, Oct 2026) | |
| R&D Subsidy (Overseas) Program | Terumo Life Science Foundation | Research Collaboration | 2-3 | International R&D in life science and public health with Japanese and overseas partners | India side | Annual (e.g. Aug 2026) |