Japan-UK Joint call for collaborations in Advanced Connectivity Technologies
This grant supports UK-Japan collaborative research in advanced connectivity technologies, focusing on AI-driven networks, non-terrestrial systems, and next-generation optics/photonics.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: September 8, 2026 (Expression of Interest) | October 6, 2026 (Full application to EPSRC/UKRI) | October 7, 2026 (Full application to NICT/e-Rad)
Funding Amounts: Up to £897,000 (UK, 80% FEC) and ¥200 million (Japan) per project; ~3 projects funded; project duration up to 3 years.
Summary: Supports joint UK-Japan research in advanced connectivity technologies, including AI in networks, non-terrestrial networks, and next-generation optics/photonics.
Key Information: Requires one UK and one Japan partner; parallel applications to both UKRI and NICT are mandatory.
Description
This bilateral funding call, run by UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), aims to foster world-leading collaborative research between the UK and Japan in advanced connectivity technologies. Target areas include the integration of artificial intelligence in digital networks, non-terrestrial networks (such as satellites and drones), and next-generation optics and photonics. Projects should address foundational challenges, accelerate technological progress, and build new research communities and partnerships that benefit both countries’ research ecosystems and economies.
