Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP) Notice of Japan-Germany Joint Call for Proposals on Hydrogen Technologies

（Last update: June 3, 2026）

History of Updates Updated June 3, 2026：

• The funding decision is expected to be delayed by a few months due to evaluation delays.

The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), in order to promote international research interaction and exchange among researchers in Japan and Germany, have jointly launched a call for proposals for Japanese-German collaborative research projects in the Hydrogen Technologies field.

Japanese

Research Field

Hydrogen Technologies: Sustainable Hydrogen Society - Technical, Environmental, Economic and Social Analyses

Details of Support

The Japan team will receive a maximum of 46.8 million yen (including indirect expenses equivalent to 30% of direct expenses) for the duration of research (36 months) subject to budget availability. Up to 3 projects are expected to be funded.

Program Officer（PO）（Japanese side）

IIYAMA Akihiro, Ph. D., Professor and Director, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi

Application Deadline

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 (17:00 JST / 9:00 CET)

e-Rad system application (for Japan-side applicant): https://www.e-rad.go.jp/index.html

easy Online system application (for German-side applicant): [https://foerderportal.bund.de/easyonline/reflink.jsf?m=IB-ASIEN&b=JPN252P2Z1&t=SKI]

Only equivalent applications made to both the e-Rad and easy Online system will be considered eligible.

Application Procedure

• Projects are highly encouraged to include the participants from both academic and industrial partners on the Japanese and German sides.
• Applications need to be submitted to both JST and DLR-PT. If applicants do not submit the required applications to both JST and DLR-PT by the deadline, the proposal will be deemed ineligible for funding and will not proceed to the evaluation process.
• An identical copy of the joint application form must be submitted to both JST and DLR-PT.
• The project leader (Principal Investigator) of the Japanese team must register the project application information, including uploading PDF files of the Joint Application Form and Japan-specific Application Form, on the Cross-Ministerial R&D Management System (e-Rad) by the application deadline.
• The research period is anticipated to be 3 years from October 2026 to September 2029.
• Research projects are managed on a fiscal year basis, which means that applications should detail a budget plan for fiscal years 2026 (Oct-Mar), 2027, 2028 and 2029 (Apr-Sep).

Application Documents

Notes

• A "Letter of Confirmation" by the head of the research institution (for Japan-side applicants) requires the official seal or equivalent from the institution. In the case of a university or college, the top person is typically the president, not the faculty dean. If you are unable to meet the deadline, please inform JST by email in advance.
• Japan-side applicants must complete a research ethics training program conducted by the research institute with which they are affiliated and then declare the completion of the program to JST by the deadline of the call for proposals. Unless applicants complete a research ethics program, their application will be deemed ineligible for funding.
• Japan-side applicants who have not registered information related to research integrity with e-Rad after the e-Rad upgrade on March 15, 2022, they should register the information. This is not required if the information has already been registered.
• JST and research institutions which Principal Investigators and Co-Principal Investigators belong to will need to conclude a research contract with JST in accordance with JST's regulations. Please refer to the following page for information related to the contract process: https://www.jst.go.jp/contract/index2.html
• When research institutions are national or municipal organizations, such institutions concluding research contracts are obliged to implement necessary budgetary measures before entering research contracts for which they are responsible. Please confirm with your institution and contact JST before submitting.

Call Webinar

The webinar has concluded. The video recording is available on the JST Channel on YouTube. URL: https://youtu.be/ndEK9iDilDs?si=AyFc8j_bEvO8aKa6 ・The slides are also available here． 　Note1： The five topics are prioritized areas of research in this call. However, proposals with other topics which do not include any of the five topics but are still in the scope are also welcome. 　Note2： Enterprise Contribution Requirements on Japan side are detailed here.

1. Session Overview

   • Date and Time: Thursday, October 16, 2025 16:00-17:30 (JST) / 9:00-10:30 (CET)
   • Format: Online (via Zoom)
   • Content: Overview of the call, including its objectives, framework, available support, and how to apply
   • Language: English
   • Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 17:00 (JST) / 10:00 (CET)
   • Target Audience: Researchers interested in applying to this call for proposals and related staff at their research organization
   • A recording of this webinar will be made available online Please read sections 2. How to Register and 3. Notes carefully before submitting your registration.

2. How to Register

   • Please register in advance using the Registration Form.
   • The Zoom link will be sent to the email address provided through the form.

3. Notes

   • Handling of Personal Information: The information you provide will be used solely for the purpose of managing this event. For details, please refer to JST's Privacy Policy.
   • Disclaimer: Please note that, due to the nature of online events, technical issues such as network instability may occur, and JST not be able to provide support in such cases. We kindly ask that you refrain from contacting us by phone or email regarding technical issues related to the online meeting system.

Enquiries

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Department of International Affairs Germany Cooperation Coordination Group E-mail：jointge(at)jst.go.jp *Please replace (at) with @.