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Part 1: New Developments in Science and Technology Policy: Responding to National and Societal Needs
Chapter 3: Future Science and Technology Policy in Japan
Section 2: Striving for World-Class Research quality
2. Promoting Cutting-Edge Research Through Competitive Funding and Research Evaluation



(1) Original, Cutting-edge Research Topics Rather than the Rehashing of Existing Ones

Basic research must be shifted to unique, cutting-edge topics, not rehashed ones. This, in turn, necessitates research environments that appreciate the value of fresh, unique research that challenges existing theories. Researchers, as they pursue their research, must also stay abreast of R&D trends by constantly acquiring current information.

(2) Raising the Level of Research Through Competitive Funding and Research Evaluation

The process of soliciting and reviewing applications for competitive funding must operate so as to select research that is unique and cutting-edge. The review of applications also requires originality and cutting-edge knowledge. Like research applicants, the reviewers of applications must be involved in cutting-edge research themselves and have the flexibility to actively select things that are new.

Efforts are required to assure the periodic replacement of evaluators, their participation in world-class researcher evaluation, and the filling of vacancies with new review capabilities.

The review and evaluation of applications should have as its purpose the improvement of the quality of researchers, and should help researchers develop, such as by giving them ideas for subsequent research. In short, review and researcher evaluation relating to competitive funding should be closely interrelated and should encourage creative, original work by researchers.


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