In October 2016, Institute for Virus Research (IVR) and Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences were merged, and Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences (inFront) was launched for the purpose of further developing and enhancing original research activities as well as creating new academic area. IVR was first designated as Joint Usage/ Research Center for Fusion of Advanced Technologies and Innovative Approaches to Viral Infections and Life Science in June 2009, and was reappointed this year.
Since the first designation, IVR has diligently promoted the projects as the Joint Usage/Research Center, and inFront, as a new institute, continues the projects until FY2021. 2021 will be the final year.

Thus, inFront calls for proposals for joint research projects in the following three research areas.

1. Target Research Areas

A) SARS coronavirus-2 Research
Currently, we are conducting research programs on SARS coronavirus-2, which has become an extremely important issue. We request applicant to pre-discuss detailed research plan with relevant host scientist.

B) Basic Viral Research
We perform a variety of virus infection experiments according to the selected programs at BSL3 or BSLP2 level facilities in addition of SARS coronavirus-2. We request applicant to pre-discuss detailed research plan with relevant host scientist.

C) Biological Science Research
Scientists in our individual departments implement their study of front-line biological sciences based on their own research themes. We would like to call for joint researchers who will take part in one of those research themes. We request applicant to pre-discuss detailed research plan with relevant host scientist.

2. Eligible Applicants

• A researcher who belongs to a university or a research institution, or those equivalent as of April 1st, 2021.
• A researcher who is eligible to apply for Grants-in-Aid (KAKENHI) if his or her affiliation is a university or institution in Japan.

*Other than a head applicant researcher, graduate students can be also listed.

3. Duration of Joint Research

The program will support the adopted joint research for one year from April 1st, 2021 to March 31st, 2022.
*Continuous re-adoption for the next year’s program might be possible depending on research progress.

4. Documents to Submit

Applicants are required to submit “Application of Joint Usage/ Research Center Program ” and “Letter of Consent ” by electronic mailing to the address below. Submission of form converted to PDF via e-mail is also acceptable. Send PDF of original “Letter of Consent” with head’s hand-written signature or seal, not electronic signature.

Alternatively, applicants can mail “Application of Joint Usage/ Research Center Program” and “Letter of Consent”. In that case, please mark as “Application for Joint Usage/Research Center Program” with red ink on the envelope.

Address and contact information for submission: General Affairs Section, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University Postal address: 53 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan E-mai1: 330soumu*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (Replace the * (asterisk) with @ (at mark) when sending an e-mail.)

5. Deadline

No later than 17:00 (JST) on Friday, January 15th, 2021

6. Result announcement

Selection will be conducted by the management committee for Joint Usage/Research Center Program for Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences. The result will be notified to individual applicants by the end of March, 2021.
Those who are adopted will be appointed as a program-based researcher of Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University.

7. Research funding

inFront will cover each of following expenses up to 400,000 yen yearly for an adopted research theme.
‒ Expendable supplies, travel expenses between inFront and applicant’s affiliation, and accommodation expenses
Note that the amount to be approved might be decreased from the requested amount.

8.Accommodations

Contact General Affairs Section, inFront. Our office can offer some information.

9. Notes

1. Applicants must closely consult with their host scientists of inFront before submitting application. Adopted joint researchers are recommended to visit inFront to implement relevant joint research.
2. When you have a plan to conduct experiments using radioisotope and radiation generator (accelerator, X-ray generator), you must be a registered user. To be the user, you should take a lecture of an education and training concerning prevention from radiation hazards.
3. Adopted scientists must submit a research report at the end of FY2021. Those reports will be placed on our website as well as annual report.
4. Treatment of intellectual property rights should be discussed separately with inFront.
5. When reporting or publishing the achievement of relevant joint research, the researcher is requested to add a sentence as below.
   This work was supported by Joint Usage/ Research Center program of Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University.
6. For research theme of Viral Infection Experiments on Non-human Primate BSL-3 Facility, animal care and management expenses must be borne by the adopted scientist. The monthly fee is stipulated in the regulations on animal care and management expenses of non-human primate experiments facility in inFront. Note that the cost will be calculated twice by dividing a year into two terms.
7. Please participate in a report meeting which will be held in the end of fiscal year.
8. For more information, contact general affairs section, inFront or your host researcher.