March 16, 2020 Public Appeal for Proposals for FY2020 R&D for Information and Communications Technology Research and Development for Construction of a Global Quantum Cryptography Network

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to make an appeal for proposals from Monday, March 16, through to Thursday, April 16, 2020, for the research and development (R&D) themes below, which are to be newly implemented from fiscal 2020.
MIC is making this appeal before the fiscal 2020 budget is approved so that research and development can be started promptly after the fiscal initial budget bill passes the Diet. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that the implementation of the R&D is subject to change according to the passage of the budget bill.

1. Submission Period

From Monday, March 16, until no later than 12pm on Thursday, April 16, 2020.

2. Research and development themes and estimated budget for proposals

The research and development themes for the proposals are set out below. The estimated budget for 2020 is shown in the cell on the right in the table below.

3. Application method

• 1.
  Prepare your proposal in accordance with the proposal outline and the proposal creation outline.
• 2.
  If using the Cross-Ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad), then please submit your application electronically after inputting your application data. (The deadline for all applications using this system is Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 12pm)
• 3.
  Please mail one copy of the proposal, six copies of the proposal and one set of other documents required for the proposal (For details, see Proposal Preparation Guidelines) to the MIC submission address. (No later than 12pm on Thursday, April 16, 2020)
  In addition, if it is joint research, the proposal should be compiled and posted by a representative research institution (please refer to 6. Inquiries and contact information).

4. Selection of contractors and future schedule

An external evaluation will be carried out, which MIC will receive and consider, for the selection of contractors. The schedule will depend on the status of the external evaluation.
In addition, if none of the proposals meet the conditions for the research, then there will be a new appeal for proposals.

• *
  The name of the research and development organization (in the case of joint research, the name of each research organization) and the lead researcher (in the case of joint research, the representative researcher) shall be announced.

5. Proposal briefings

With consideration of the purpose of the Basic Policy for Countermeasures against New Coronavirus Infections (February 25, 2020), proposal briefings that were to be held throughout the country have been suspended, and any inquiries will be handled individually.
As such, please contact MIC directly (6. Inquiries and contact information) if there is anything unclear or if you have any questions about the public appeal procedure or the details about this public appeal.

6. Inquiries and contact information

Please contact the relevant division regarding the public appeal procedure, research and development themes, details about the basic plan, formulating or submitting the proposal. If contacting MIC by email then all inquiries go to the same email address listed below.