Official website: https://www.jst.go.jp/aspire/nexus/en/koubo/country/thailand.html

Working collaboratively, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Program Management Unit for Frontier Brainpower and Future Industries (PMU-B) aim to promote and strengthen collaboration between researchers from Japan and Thailand. JST and PMU-B launch this Call for Proposals for research, jointly conceived and to be jointly implemented by researchers from both countries.

JST and PMU-B are supporting joint projects through strategic project support measures to promote cooperation between Japan and Thailand.

On the Japan side, this funding measure is carried out under the program called NEXUS (Networked Exchange, United Strength for Stronger Partnerships between Japan and ASEAN) which aims to build a “Complementary and Sustainable Research Ecosystem”, facilitating mutual growth as co-creating partners by enhancing sustainable research cooperation, grounded in longstanding initiatives such as international collaborative research and the exchange of research personnel.

On the Thailand side, this funding measure is carried out under N49 (S4P23) Global Partnership Program. This measure is aimed at promoting joint research projects of mutual interest and thus contributing to intensified scientific and technological cooperation with each country. The aim of this program is to elevate research collaboration through joint research with leading universities and research institutes abroad, leading to the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge and the creation of high-impact research with both academic and socio-economic significance.

Collaboration with other ASEAN Member States (AMSs) is also welcome. The research outcomes from the bilateral initiative are expected to be spread throughout the ASEAN region and to be mutually beneficial to Japan and all AMSs.

1. Advanced Materials for Industrial and Environmental Application
2. Advanced Material from Agricultural and Industrial Waste for Circular Manufacturing

1. Both applicants, Thailand-side and Japan-side PIs, must prepare an identical proposal, which they must then submit to NRIIS from the Thailand-side PI and to JST from the Japan-side PI, respectively.
2. Applicants applying as a Lead PI in Thailand must be researchers who are either Thai citizens or non-Thai citizens affiliated with a Thai organization, such as a public or non-profit research institute or university in Thailand.
3. The proposal must have the researchers from Thailand at least 2 institutes/universities to cooperate with.
4. A project leader is an individual with expertise who is affiliated with a government research unit or a higher education institution nationwide and has a research track record that demonstrates their practical knowledge and abilities.
5. The project leader should have publications in international academic journals as a Corresponding or First Author, with at least 5 publications in the past 5 years or as specified by PMU-B.
6. The budget should be within the specified limit.
7. Thai applicants must submit their application and endorsement letters from all research partners to PMU-B through NRIIS: https://nriis.go.th
8. The Thai applicant’s institution must endorse the submission in the NRIIS system.
9. Deadline of submission to NRIIS System by 12:00 (Indochina Time, UTC+7) on 31 July 2026
10. The entire submission process must be completed before the closing date.

The total budget for the Thai researcher over a full 3-year period is up to 5,000,000 THB per project. The budget for a project may differ each year, depending on the content of activities and compliance with PMU-B financial guideline (please find details via PMU-B website: www.pmu-hr.or.th)

Note: For more information on qualified researchers, please visit the PMU-B website and download the manual and see the NEXUS-Thailand_Call Guidelines.

1. Two identical copies of a project proposal must be submitted to both the JST and PMU-B. Detailed information on a project proposal and submission can be found in the Call Guidelines. Please note that project proposals received by the PMU-B and not submitted by the JST (and vice versa) will automatically be considered ineligible.

2. Thai applicants must also submit the PMU-B proposal to PMU-B through NRIIS: https://nriis.go.th with;

   • Letter of Support (LOS) : Researchers from each participating institution in Thailand must have a letter of support from their home institution, signed by an authorized representative of the institution/organization (P.S. The format and content of LOS forms can vary from one institution to another. Please contact your institution for guidance on completing their LOS form) and/or

   • Supporting Documents e.g. The CV from Thailand Project Leader and co-researchers

1. Common applications shall be written in English and provided in a proper format (find the “Nexus_thailand_application form” or download at https://www.jst.go.jp.html).
2. Thai principal investigators can find the application form for submission in the NRIIS at the following link: (PMU-B Proposal Download). This proposal can be written in English or Thai. (Only “Executive Summary” part must be written in Thai)

Proposals will be peer-reviewed and evaluated by Thai external experts. The final selection will be done by the international selection meeting between JST and PMU-B. To be funded, proposals must be internationally competitive. It should lead to the advancement of the research field, or novel applications or increase of research capacity.

Key evaluation criteria are:

• Significance and impact of the research
• Scientific Rationale: novelty, importance and timeliness of the research
• Capabilities of the research team
• Design and feasibility of the project plan
• Partnership: including strength and clarity of collaborations and opportunities provided, quality of the project management structure proposed
• Quality and suitability of the research environment and of the facilities
• Ethical considerations and governance arrangements

Program Management Unit for Frontier Brainpower and Future Industries (PMU-B)
DR. SMITH LEKNETTIP (Mr.)
Senior Project Analyst, Global Partnership Program
e-mail: smith.lek@nxpo.or.th, , pmu.b@nxpo.or.th
Tel: +66 87566 0103