EU–Japan Research Mobility in Innovative Advanced Materials

The focus of this action is on strengthening EU–Japan cooperation in innovative advanced materials, supporting research visits by European researchers, advancing collaborative research activities, contributing to technological leadership and open strategic autonomy, enabling applications of advanced materials in mobility, energy, construction, electronics and medical devices, supporting the twin green and digital transition, promoting safe and sustainable by design approaches, reinforcing resilience of industrial value chains, and contributing to policy priorities linked to raw materials, chemicals and innovative materials.

Advanced materials are recognised as a key driver of competitiveness for both European and Japanese industries and as a crucial element for resilience and open strategic autonomy, particularly through international collaboration. Building on the established cooperation in research and innovation in material sciences, the European Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy launched the EU–Japan Enhanced Dialogue on Advanced Materials in April 2024, creating a platform to share information on policy developments and explore opportunities for collaborative research in areas of mutual interest.

Within this context, the action is designed to support European researchers from Member States and Associated Countries to undertake research visits to Japanese institutions active in innovative advanced materials. These visits are intended to strengthen ongoing research activities in Europe by fostering collaboration with Japanese research groups that have complementary expertise. The supported research activities should focus on advanced materials with applications in mobility, energy, construction, electronics or medical devices.

Proposals are expected to provide travel grants for research visits of up to one month and to ensure wide geographical coverage across Member States and Associated Countries. The action supports both the initiation of new collaborations and the reinforcement of existing partnerships with Japanese organisations that are willing to host visiting researchers. By facilitating mobility and direct engagement between research teams, the initiative seeks to accelerate knowledge exchange, align research efforts and reinforce long-term cooperation.

Projects under this destination are expected to support safe and sustainable innovation by incorporating early consideration of impacts on health, environment and climate, as well as organisational health and safety for industrial workers where relevant. The Work Programme also emphasises the importance of valorisation of knowledge, technology infrastructures, and skills development to support industrial uptake and long-term impact. The indicative funding available for this action is 800,000 euros per project.

For more information, visit European Commission.