KAKENHI

KAKENHI, or Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, is Japan's main competitive funding program for scientific research. It is administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The program aims to support high-quality research across disciplines by providing funds that enable researchers to pursue independent projects.

KAKENHI comprises several grant types under a single umbrella, including large- and mid-scale research grants and exploratory or seed grants. The most widely known categories are designated S, A, B, and C, reflecting different scales and durations, but the program also offers special programs and targeted open calls. Eligible applicants are researchers affiliated with universities or public research institutes in Japan; some calls allow researchers at national or private institutions to participate as co-investigators or collaborators. Funds may cover researchers’ salaries or stipends, equipment, consumables, fieldwork, travel, and dissemination costs, subject to guidelines and annual budget limits. Grant durations typically range from one to several years.

Applications are submitted through an annual competition and undergo external peer review by subject-specific experts. Proposals are evaluated on scientific merit, feasibility, and potential impact, with final decisions made by JSPS in consultation with MEXT. Results, guidelines, and grant information are published through the JSPS KAKENHI portal and related communications.

KAKENHI is a central component of Japan’s science policy and a major mechanism for funding basic and applied research, contributing to research capacity and international collaboration.

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