The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) and Hokkaido University (HU) are launching a call for joint call for academics and researchers tackling three broad strategic themes. The Call is announced by HU Executive Vice President for Research Dr. Tsuyoshi Setoguchi, HU Executive Vice President for International Affairs Dr. Aya Takahashi, UMass Amherst Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement Dr. Laura Vandenberg, and UMass Amherst Vice Provost for Global Affairs, Dr. Kalpen Trivedi. In conjunction with the Office of Research and Engagement and the Office for Global Affairs at UMass, HU and UMass Amherst the aim of the program is to support the development of new collaborations through organized research visits, meetings, workshops, or seminars, with the expectation that initial projects will lead to long-term collaborations, research, co-publications, exhibits, and external funding for on-going collaboration.
The Seed Funding aims to foster novel, multidisciplinary approaches to three broad strategic themes: Advanced Materials and Applied Life Sciences; Renewal Agriculture and Sustainability; Humanities and Societies. The program welcomes applications from all disciplines, including STEM, Agriculture, Animal Sciences, Health, Social Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. The call for applications is open to researchers who wish to establish a new or develop an emerging collaboration.
Founded in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College, Hokkaido University is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious universities, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to education and research across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. With over 17,900 students from 99 countries Hokkaido University consists of 2 campuses, 21 faculties, 21 graduate schools and 25 research institutes and centers including the world largest academic forests of 70,000 hectares. Hokkaido University consistently ranks among the top institutions in Japan for research funding, with its strengths in field-oriented research and distinctive features as Organic Chemistry, Zoonosis Control, Indigenous Studies, Space Engineering, etc. The university’s significant contributions to sustainability place it #1 in Japan for the fifth consecutive year, and 10th and 72nd in the world by the 2022 and 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
UMass Amherst and Hokkaido University have enjoyed a strong partnership since the late 1800s. The two universities have been linked ever since William S. Clark, the third president of Massachusetts Agricultural College (now UMass Amherst), helped establish Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaido University) and served as the vice president of the Japanese college for eight months. The bond has remained strong throughout our transformative histories.
Hokkaido University’s EVPR Setoguchi said that he is “thrilled to announce this call which will further develop and strengthen the partnership between Hokkaido University and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The seed funding is designed to scope future research collaborations in areas of strength for both universities. This funding builds on the longest partnership for Hokkaido and will facilitate researchers to engage an internationalized environment and provide them with global dimensions to key research topics, not only with our historical legacy but with common ambition to widely share academic expertise.”
“Faculty and researchers from both UMass and Hokkaido University have already been working together across a range of disciplines and issues. Through this new program we hope to deepen these collaborations with a view to seed high-impact research,” said Vandenberg. “I am delighted that we are able to build on our existing connections with Hokkaido to begin a strategic partnership between our institutions which will leverage complementary research strengths and a strong interest in mobility,” added Trivedi.
The applicant form can be found here. Hokkaido Univeristy will be mirroring this funding call for their researchers.