The Network Joint Research Center (NJRC) (hereinafter referred to as the Hub) originated from the initiative to promote collaboration projects among university-affiliated research institutes and was established in the fiscal year 2010. Currently, it organizes a network system through equal collaboration among institutes with distinguished research records in the field of materials and devices, including Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo, SANKEN, Osaka University, and Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University.
The center annually conduct open calls for researchers at national, public, and private universities, technical colleges, national research institutions, and corporations across the country. Over the past 14 years, we have promoted about 6,500 joint research projects. As a result, the continuity and development of these projects have been highly evaluated, earning us the highest grade of “S” in the midterm evaluation in fiscal year 2018 and the final evaluation in fiscal year 2021.
In the third phase that began in the fiscal year 2022, we aim to expand our support even further than before, including fostering interdisciplinary integrated research, challenging research with flexible thinking, and revitalizing the researcher community both domestically and internationally, with a vision for the future of Japanese science.
We would be delighted if many researchers could make the most of our system to expand their network of research activities.

General Manager, Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices research area
Shun’ichi KURODA, Director, SANKEN, Osaka University