Professor Shinichiro Sawa Secures JST ASPIRE Grant to Advance Sustainable Agriculture through International Collaboration
Professor Shinichiro Sawa, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, has received a prestigious international research grant from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under its ASPIRE Program. Professor Sawa also serves as Director of the International Research Center for Agricultural & Environmental Biology (IRCAEB) at Kumamoto University.Professor Sawa’s project, titled “Molecular Dissection of Plant–Soil Microbial Networks Including Nematodes to Advance Holobiome Understanding and Establish a Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture,” was selected in the field of biotechnology. The ASPIRE Program supports cutting-edge international research across seven priority areas, including AI and information, energy, materials, quantum, semiconductors, telecommunications, as well as biotechnology.
The project was chosen under “ASPIRE for Top Scientists,” a highly competitive funding scheme designed to support internationally recognized researchers who lead large-scale global collaborations. The program invites proposals from Japan-based principal investigators working closely with overseas partners supported by eligible counterpart institutions. Professor Sawa’s international counterpart is Dr. Bruno Favery, Deputy Head of Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, part of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE). Together, the Japanese and French teams will investigate complex interactions among plants, soil microorganisms, and nematodes, aiming to deepen understanding of the “holobiome” — the integrated biological network that underpins plant health and agricultural sustainability.
The project will be funded for approximately five years starting in December 2025, with total support of up to 500 million Japanese yen (approximately USD 3.2 million). The funding will primarily support international joint research activities, with a strong emphasis on the exchange and development of young researchers and students. This includes providing opportunities for early-career scientists to conduct research overseas, as well as welcoming outstanding young researchers and students from abroad to Japan, thereby strengthening global research networks.
Through initiatives such as ASPIRE, Kumamoto University remains committed to supporting world-class researchers and addressing global challenges through advanced research.
Image Caption: The kickoff symposium for the ASPIRE project was held at INRAE–Institut Sophia Agrobiotech (ISA) in France, bringing together French partners and Japanese collaborators, including 12 members from Kumamoto University and a co–principal investigator from the University of the Ryukyus. The meeting featured student presentations, in-depth scientific discussions, and active research exchange, marking a strong and collaborative start to the five-year international project.
About ASPIRE
The ASPIRE Program promotes international collaborative research led by Japanese scientists, encouraging their participation in top global research circles and supporting long-term international engagement. In addition to advancing scientific research, ASPIRE places strong emphasis on researcher exchange, international networking, and human resource development, fostering the next generation of global research leaders. It includes the programs "ASPIRE for Top Scientists" and "ASPIRE for Rising Scientists."