Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP) EIG CONCERT-Japan 13th Joint Call: AI-Powered Robotics for Real-World Applications

（May 7, 2026）

The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) is accepting proposals for collaborative research projects under the framework of EIG CONCERT-Japan under the theme of AI-Powered Robotics for Real-World Applications.

EIG CONCERT-Japan website:

https://concert-japan.eu/

Call Theme

AI-Powered Robotics for Real-World Applications

Research Scope

This call seeks research proposals that integrate AI and robotics to enable scalable applications in real-world environments. By incorporating AI, robots are expected to achieve advanced levels of autonomy, efficiency, safety, and collaboration, allowing them to perform complex tasks, adapt to dynamic environments, and optimize operational costs.

The objective of this call is to support research that leverages these capabilities to create new value in socially important fields.

In this call, JST is participating as the funding organization representative of Japan. The funding organizations listed below are participating from the European region.

Participating Countries and Organizations

• Bulgaria - Bulgarian National Science Fund (BNSF)
• Czech Republic - Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS)
• Estonia - Estonian Research Council (ETAG)
• France - French National Research Agency (ANR)
• Germany - German Aerospace Center - Project Management Agency (DLR-PT)
• Hungary - National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH)
• Italy - National Research Council of Italy (CNR)
• Poland - National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR)
• Slovakia - Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS)
• Spain - State Research Agency (AEI)
• Türkiye - Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK)

Details of Support

Projects selected for funding in this call will each receive support for a period of three years and totaling no more than approximately 39,000,000 JPY of which 30% represents indirect costs. Awarded projects will be required to have a contract concluded between the awarded research institution and JST, in the following format: https://www.jst.go.jp/inter/research/contract/contract.html

It is expected that six projects will be funded in this EIG CONCERT-Japan Joint Call.

Full details of support can be found in the Japanese guidance information documents below and "Part 2: National and Regional Funding Regulations" in the Call Text.

Call for Proposals Period and Deadlines

Tuesday 28th April 2026 until Wednesday 22nd July 2026, 17:00 (Japan Standard Time) Tuesday 28th April 2026 until Wednesday 22nd July 2026, 10:00 (Central European Summer Time)

Program Officer

Dr. MASE Kenji (Emeritus Professor and Designated Professor, Center for Artificial Intelligence, Mathematical and Data Science, Nagoya University)

Eligibility

Researcher Eligibility

Any independent researcher currently affiliated with and actively conducting research at a domestic Japanese research institution, or who will fulfil this requirement by the commencement of the research project if not currently affiliated with a research institution in Japan), regardless of nationality, is eligible to apply.

Research Consortium Eligibility

In addition to the Japanese team, the project consortium must include members from a minimum of two different European countries listed as participating in the call. Researchers from countries not participating may also be included in the research consortium, however they will not count towards the minimum country participation requirement stated above. For further details please see "Part 2: National and Regional Funding Regulations" in the Call Text.

Application Procedure

1. PT-Outline Consortium Proposal Submission (for the entire consortium)

Call documents, application forms and guidance can be downloaded from the PT-Outline website, which also serves as the online submission portal: https://ptoutline.eu/app/eigjapan_jc2026

Proposals should be jointly drafted by the consortium and jointly submitted electronically via the PT-Outline portal. Only the project consortium's Principal Project Leader is required to submit the proposal.

Information about the PT-Outline submission process: https://concert-japan.eu/

2. e-Rad Proposal Application (for the Japanese team of the consortium only)

In addition to the PT-Outline submission, the Project Leader from the Japanese team will have to register their application information, "application form" (with legal compliance checklist and compliance agreement) and "Application summary" on the Cross Ministerial R&D Management System (e-Rad) platform: https://www.e-rad.go.jp/

An e-Rad guide for applicants (in Japanese) is available on "Application instructions and guidance" (available only in Japanese) below.

For further application instructions and guidance, please refer to the following information.

Application Form (Japanese side)

Enquiries

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Department of International Affairs EIG CONCERT-Japan Coordination Group E-mail: concert(at)jst.go.jp (replace (at) by @ before sending) Reception hours: 10:00-17:00 *Excluding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the New Year holidays