# Japan-UK Joint Call for Collaborations in Advanced Connectivity Technologies

**Funder:** EPSRC
**Budget:** Up to £897,000 (80% FEC) per application from EPSRC; up to ¥200M per application from NICT
**Duration:** Up to 3 years (1 April 2027 – 31 March 2030)
**Consortium:** Required — UK applicant must have a project partner from Japan; industry-academia consortium recommended for Japanese academic applicants
**Application:** 2-stage: Expression of Interest → joint full application (parallel submission via UKRI Funding Service and e-Rad)
**TRL:** 1-3
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/japan-uk-joint-call-for-collaborations-in-advanced-connectivity-technologies-full/
**Last verified:** 19 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to UK organisations meeting EPSRC standard eligibility and Japanese organisations meeting NICT eligibility. A Japan-based project partner is mandatory. Scope covers AI integration in digital networks, non-terrestrial networks, and advanced optics/photonics for Beyond 5G/6G. Equipment ≥£25k and PhD studentships are not fundable from EPSRC. Projects must start 1 April 2027.

## Summary

The Japan-UK Joint Call for Collaborations in Advanced Connectivity Technologies funds UK-Japan research consortia (up to £897,000 per UK partner over three years) to develop early-stage technologies in AI-enabled networks, non-terrestrial communications, and advanced photonics. Researchers must be hosted at EPSRC-eligible UK organisations paired with NICT-eligible Japanese institutions; industry-academia partnerships are encouraged. This is a one-off call with approximately three collaborations to be funded, targeting fundamental and early-concept work (TRL 1-3).

## Who should apply

- UK researchers at EPSRC-eligible institutions (universities, research institutes, business entities) paired with Japanese collaborators at NICT-eligible organisations
- Researchers working on AI integration in digital networks, non-terrestrial networks, or advanced optics and photonics
- Consortia with fundamental research or early-stage concept focus (TRL 1-3 at project start)
- Teams with meaningful industry-academia collaboration, especially on the Japanese side

## Key dates

- Expression of Interest stage now open; full application process details to be published
- Earliest project start April 2027
- Project duration up to three years

## Tips for applicants

- Structure the consortium carefully: UK partner must be EPSRC-eligible and Japanese partner NICT-eligible; Norway-based co-leads are explicitly blocked.
- This is a one-off call with only ~3 collaborations funded; position your Expression of Interest to stand out on novelty and cross-border synergy, not preliminary results.
- Prepare early: full application guidance is not yet published, use the Expression of Interest phase to clarify scope and secure institutional sign-off for both sides.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Japan-UK Joint Call offer?

Up to £897,000 (80% FEC) per UK proposal, with a total UK pot of £3.37M. Japanese funding is administered separately through NICT.

### Is a Japan-UK partnership required?

Yes, applicants must form a joint UK-Japan consortium with EPSRC-eligible UK organisations and NICT-eligible Japanese research institutions.

### What technology areas are in scope?

AI integration in digital networks, non-terrestrial networks, and advanced optics and photonics at TRL 1-3 (fundamental and early-concept stages).

### When is the application deadline?

Expression of Interest is open now; full application details and deadline will be published when the opportunity formally opens.

### Is this a recurring call?

No, this is a one-off joint call with approximately three collaborations to be funded.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/epsrc-japan-uk-joint-call-for-collaborations-in-advanced-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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