National Museum of Japanese History
FY 2024 Application Guidelines for Collaborative Research
Application is closed. For reference purpose only.
Download the Application Guidelines (PDF)
Download the proposal form template (word)
*All applications have to be completed in Japanese.
1. Overview
The purpose of collaborative research hosted by the National Museum of Japanese History (Rekihaku), a member institution of the National Institutes for the Humanities, is to conduct collaborative, interdisciplinary, and empirical research in the fields of history, archaeology, and the study of folklore and folklife, as well as other related areas. To further facilitate the collaborative and interdisciplinary character of the research projects, and, in line with the mission as an Inter-University Research Institute, to provide opportunities in research and education at universities and other institutions, applications from both within and outside the Museum are invited through this open call.
2. Categories of Collaborative Research
Applications for FY 2024 can be made under the following categories:
(1) Fundamental Research 1 (Research question centered topics)
The goal of this category is to develop new research foundations, such as new research perspectives and methods, through, for example, the digitalization and interdisciplinary research of archaeological, historical, and folk materials and their conversion into research resources. As the lead researcher of the project, the principal investigator (PI) can freely determine the research topic.
However, it is a condition for proposed research topics to aim to contribute to the “Museum-based Research Integration” the Rekihaku implements.
| Research Topic | Interdisciplinary research with the major goal of converting archaeological, historical, and folk materials into research resources, as well as their digitalization |
|---|---|
| Research Period | 3 years starting from FY 2024 |
| Research Meetings | 3 to 4 times per year at the Rekihaku etc. |
| Principal Investigator (PI) | The PI is responsible for preparing the research plan, organizing team meetings, and synthesizing research achievements. In addition, the PI is required to submit a report for each FY and to attend the outcome report meeting at the end of the research period in order to present a final report. |
| Deputy Principal Investigator (DPI) | The DPI must be a tenured faculty member of the Rekihaku |
| Research Team Organization | About 10 members, consisting of Rekihaku faculty members and other researchers capable of carrying out collaborative research. |
| Research Budget | Up to 2,250,000 yen per year (travel expenses, expendable supplies etc.) |
| Planned number of approvals | Approximately 2 |
(2) Fundamental Research 2 (Pre-selected topics on the Rekihaku collections)
This type of fundamental research is designed for research topics and research proposals focusing on materials included in the Rekihaku’s collections. For alist of applicable materials, please refer to the “Rekihaku Target Collections” table below.
| Research Topic | Collaborative research on resources held and designated by the Rekihaku (to be selected from the items listed below) |
|---|---|
| Rekihaku Target Collections |
|
| Research Period | 3 years starting from FY 2024 |
| Research Meetings | 3 to 4 times per year at the Rekihaku etc. |
| Principal Investigator (PI) | The PI is responsible for preparing the research plan, organizing team meetings, and synthesizing research achievements. In addition, the PI is required to submit a report for each FY and to attend the outcome report meeting at the end of the research period in order to present a final report. |
| Deputy Principal Investigator (DPI) | The DPI must be a tenured faculty member of the Rekihaku |
| Research Team Organization | About 10 members, including researchers who are able to carry out research collaboratively and faculty members of Rekihaku |
| Research Budget | Up to 2,250,000 yen per year (travel expenses, expendable supplies etc.) |
| Planned number of approvals | Approximately 1 |
3. Eligibility
1) Researchers employed by universities or other research institutions in Japan or overseas (full-time or part-time)
2) Researchers who have research capabilities equivalent to criteria (1) above (not including graduate students)
4. Application procedure
Applicants are asked fill out the designated “FY2024 Collaborative Research Proposal” application form (download URL below, form in Japanese only), and to obtain the approval of their immediate superior or supervisor at the research institution of their employment, prior to submitting their application. A written notice of approval will not be required at the time of the application, but has to be submitted after the research project has been approved.
If graduate students enrolled in a doctoral program are being included in the members of proposed research project, please add an outline of their peer-reviewed papers to the “Achievements” column of the research proposal and attach a letter of recommendation (designated form)from the student’s supervising faculty member.
[Download URL for “FY2024 Collaborative Research Proposal” and letter of recommendation forms Rekihaku official web site)]
Before making a formal application and preparing the research proposal, applicants should contact the Rekihaku faculty member expected to act as Deputy Principal Investigator and adequately discuss the research plan and research methods. Contact information for the faculty members is available upon request at the Research and Education Section of the Research Affairs Division [kenkyo@ml.rekihaku.ac.jp].
5. How to Apply
Please submit the completed application form (” FY2024 Collaborative Research Proposal”) as an e-mail attachment to the e-mail address listed under [11. Contact & Inquiries]. (Please submit the document by email.)
6. Submission Deadline for Proposals
Must be received by 17:00 of Tuesday, August 29, 2023
7. Selection Process and Notification of Results
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the collaborative research proposals by faculty members of the Rekihaku and external members of the Collaborative Research Committee of the Executive Council in a first screening between September and October., If necessary, interviews will be held in addition to the review of the application documents. In a second screening, to be held between mid November and early December, the Collaborative Research Committee of the Executive Council will interview selected applicants. The Director-General will make final decision based on the recommendations of the Executive Council. Applicants will be notified about the results of the first screening in October. The results of the second screening will be announced in late December.
Research proposals and other documents submitted will not be returned.
8. Use of Facilities
Collaborative researchers gain access to the Rekihaku facilities, library resources, the museum collections, computers, and various research instruments.
9. Report of Research Achievements
- An annual report is to be submitted each year.
- Publication of the research achievements in the Rekihaku research bulletin (“Bulletin of the National Museum of Japanese History”) is required within 3 years from the completion of the research.
10. Other
Budget allocations may be adjusted after the approval of the respective research proposals.
11. Contact & Inquiries
Collaborative Research Applications,
Research and Education Section,
Research Affairs Division, Administration Department,
National Museum of Japanese History
National Institutes for the Humanities, Inter-University Research Institute Corporation
117 Jonai-cho, Sakura City, Chiba 285-8502, Japan
Phone: +81-43-486-6473
Fax: +81-43-486-6494
E-mail: kenkyo@ml.rekihaku.ac.jp
