June 15, 2020 Public Appeal (Re-appeal) for Proposals on R&D for Radio Wave Resource Expansion for Fiscal 2020

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has decided to make a public appeal (for the second time) from Tuesday, June 16 through Wednesday, July 15, 2020, for proposals on research and development (R&D) for radio wave resource expansion to be conducted in and after fiscal 2020.

1. Period of submission

From Tuesday, June 16 and no later than 5:00 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2020

2. R&D themes

MIC is appealing for proposals on the R&D theme shown in the table below for the expansion of radio resources. The estimated budget for fiscal 2020 is also shown in the table, which will be finalized with consideration of the results of external evaluations and all other pertinent conditions.

Note 1: Proposals for the R&D theme may be proposals for one or more of the technical themes. Furthermore, a joint research proposal and a partial proposal are possible for each technical theme. If making proposals for multiple technical themes, then a proposal will need to be prepared for each technical theme. In that case, each proposal may describe the entire R&D implementation structure for all the technical themes proposed.

Note 2: The implementers of each technical theme after approval must establish a joint research structure or research cooperation structure necessary to achieve the objectives of the R&D theme in the basic plan and conclude practical results. As a general rule, the implementer of technical theme i) shall coordinate all R&D themes (it is possible to change this rule in an arrangement between the implementers of each technical theme). The number of approvals will be one per technical theme.

(Example) Proposal examples for R&D with technical themes i, ii, and iii.

• 1.
  It is also possible to propose only technical theme ii (or themes i and iii) (as shown within the short dashed line).
• 2.
  It is also possible to propose only part of technical theme iii (or themes i and ii) (as shown within the long dashed line).

• *
  It is necessary to create one proposal for each technical theme in the case of proposing multiple technical themes.

3. Public appeal briefing session

MIC will hold a briefing session on the content of the basic plan for R&D themes and the procedure outline of proposals as follows:

Time and date: 3:00 to 3:30 pm on Friday, June 26, 2020
Form: Web conferencing using Skype for Business

4. Application method

• 1.
  Please refer to the proposal overview for further details about the public appeal overview and application requirements. Please prepare your proposal document following the set style stipulated in the Proposal Preparation Guidelines.
• 2.
  If using the Cross-Ministerial R&D Management System (e-Rad), then please submit your application electronically. (The deadline for all applications using e-Rad is 5 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.)

  • *
    When making an application through e-Rad, research institution registration procedures may take time, so please give yourself plenty of time in advance. For e-Rad, please refer to https://www.e-rad.go.jp .
• 3.
  In addition to applying through e-Rad, submitting one copy of the proposal and one copy of other documents required for the proposal is needed (for details, please see Proposal Preparation Guidelines). Please post it to the designated division in charge at MIC. (No later than 5 pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.)

  • *
    When making a joint research proposal, then it must be coordinated by the representative research institution before it is submitted to MIC.
  • *
    The proposal outline and Proposal Preparation Guidelines will be available for viewing at the relevant MIC division contact window.

5. Selection of contractors

MIC will select contractors of each technical theme by considering the result of an external evaluation.

6. Future plans

The future schedule is assumed to be as follows, but this will depend on the status of the external evaluation.

Early August: Evaluation by external experts, and selection of research institutions to be contracted
Late August: Notification of approved/unapproved proposals
From late September: Conclusion of research consignment agreement, and the start of R&D

7. Inquiries and submission contact details

For Inquiries related to the details of the R&D themes and submitting proposals, please contact the respective in-charge division corresponding to the system (fixed/mobile).
For queries about anything else, formulating a proposal, or how to make a submission, please contact the Development Section, Radio Policy Division, Radio Department, Telecommunications Bureau. Please use the following email address for all email queries: wireless-rd_atmark_ml.soumu.go.jp (“@” has been changed to _atmark_ to prevent spam). Please change “_ atmark _” to “@” before sending an email.

[Inquiries and contact information for queries about R&D themes]
Postal address for submissions: 2-1-2 Central Government Building No.2, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8926