The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) 14th Call for Proposals in the Field of “Alternative Energy”

13 February 2025

The e-ASIA Joint Research Program (e-ASIA JRP) 14th Call for Proposals in the Field of “Alternative Energy”
On the topic of Hydrogen (Production & Storage; Biohydrogen & Hydrogen from waste)

The aim of the e-ASIA JRP 14th Call in the field of ‘Alternative Energy’ is to strengthen multilateral collaboration among researchers of the participating countries to solve issues common across the region, in the field of “Alternative Energy” specifically the topics of ‘Hydrogen (Production & Storage; Biohydrogen & Hydrogen from waste)’; ‘Fuel (Biofuel & Aviation Fuel)’, and ‘Energy Storage’. This is in alignment with the regional key Carbon Net Zero commitments by 2050.

Deadline: 31 March 2025 (17.00 Bangkok time, UTC+7)

Participating Member Organizations:

  • China: National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)
  • Indonesia: National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
  • Japan: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
  • Myanmar: Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
  • Philippines: Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD)
  • Singapore: Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
  • Thailand: National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)

Support/Funding Modality:

In principle, each Member Organization will provide support for its own country’s researchers involved in projects selected for funding through this joint call. The NRCT will support a selected project by new funding.

Support/Funding Modality:

In principle, each Member Organization will provide support for its own country’s researchers involved in projects selected for funding through this joint call. The NRCT will support a selected project by new funding.

Support of Thai Researchers:

The total budget for the Thai researchers is up to 3,000,000 THB per project over a full 3-year period. The budget for a project may differ each year, depending on the content of activities of the proposed research (please find details via the NRIIS webpage: https://nriis.go.th/www/NewsEventDetail.aspx?nid=12018).

Research Areas: “Alternative Energy” on the sub-topics of Hydrogen (Production & Storage; Biohydrogen & Hydrogen from waste), Fuel (Biofuel & Aviation Fuel), and Energy Storage

  • The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) funds Thai projects in the sub-topic of Hydrogen only.
    • Sub-topic: Hydrogen (Production & Storage; Biohydrogen & Hydrogen from waste)
      Green Hydrogen and Hydrogen Economy: Hydrogen, in addition to being an alternative energy source, has applications as an alternative fuel and offers environmentally friendly combustion. However, the commercial use of clean hydrogen fuel faces economic challenges related to its production, storage, transportation, and utilization. To address these constraints, this topic welcomes proposals on:
      • Cost-Effective Biohydrogen Production and Water Bio-Splitting: This topic prioritizes the development of cost-competitive biohydrogen production methods and bio-splitting of water, aiming to overcome barriers related to production viability and competitiveness in the hydrogen fuel sector.
      • Research on Green Hydrogen for Heavy Industries: Exploring the use of green hydrogen in energy-intensive sectors such as steel, aluminum, and cement, including its role in generating electricity to comply with initiatives like the Carbon Adjustment Mechanism before Borders (CBAM) of the European Union or similar mechanisms.
      • Study on the Development of Hydrogen Economy Ecosystem: This topic delves into the factors supporting the production, transportation, storage, and utilization of hydrogen, with a focus on building a robust hydrogen economy.

Duration: 3 years (36 months)

Eligibility:

General Eligibility:

  • The application must consist of a minimum of three countries forming a consortium. Within this consortium, each research team in a country shall be led by a Principal Investigator (PI), also referred to as a national PI, and a consortium of a minimum of three countries shall be led by a Lead PI specified among the PIs who is tasked to oversee the entire project.
  • All PIs must comply with their respective national eligibility rules for research applications. Researchers from industry are encouraged to participate in the collaboration, in accordance with these national eligibility rules.

National Eligibility for Thai Applicants:

  • Eligible for Thai nationality only. The applicants must be researchers and/or university professors/instructors who work in public research institute or university in Thailand and are competent in conducting research with international partners.
  • Thai Principal Investigator (PI) must submit application form in Thai language through the online NRIIS platform (https://nriis.go.th) in accordance with the NRCT regulations no later than 17.00 (Bangkok time, UTC+7) on 31 March 2025.

How to Apply?

  • Thai PI must submit another Thai application form through the online NRIIS platform (https://nriis.go.th) in accordance with the NRCT regulations no later than 17.00 (Bangkok time) 31 March 2025. As failure to do by the deadline, so will result in the proposal not being accepted.
    • Researchers from each participating institution in Thailand must be endorsed by their home institution on the NRIIS platform within 16.30 (Bangkok time) 10 April 2025.
  • Lead PI must also submit proposal by e-mail to the e-ASIA JRP Secretariat, easia-opencall@jst.go.jp, no later than 17:00 (Bangkok time, UTC+7) 31 March 2025.