Minutes of the 19th Basic Research Promotion Subcommittee
Overview
The 19th Subcommittee on Basic Research Promotion of the Council for Science, Technology and Academic Affairs was held online on September 5, 2025. Its agenda covered a review of Moonshot Research and Development Program Goal 3, the research environment in the United Kingdom, and the Emerging Research Support Program. The proposed revision to Goal 3 focused on general-purpose autonomous humanoid AI robots and described a restructuring of the research framework. The presentation on the United Kingdom introduced its research assessment and competitive funding systems, while the program update covered selections, outcomes, and improvements to the research environment. Committee members commented on goal setting and assessment methods, collaboration among researchers, and the budget needed to continue the program.
Key points
- The agenda comprised “Review of Goal 3 of the Moonshot Research and Development Program,” “The research environment in the United Kingdom,” and “The Emerging Research Support Program.”
- The proposed assessment of Goal 3 indicated a direction focused on developing a prototype general-purpose autonomous humanoid AI robot by 2030.
- The REF assessment weightings will change from 60% for research outputs, 25% for impact, and 15% for the research environment in 2021 to 50% for research outputs, 25% for impact, and 25% for the research environment in 2028.
- The Emerging Research Support Program provides researchers around the time of becoming independent with stable funding for a standard period of 7 years and a maximum of 10 years.
Overview
The meeting was held online on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The minutes record an explanation and discussion of the interim assessment of Goal 3, a committee member’s presentation and questions on the research environment in the United Kingdom, and an update and discussion on the Emerging Research Support Program.
Impact
The presentation stated that 49% of selected researchers had been promoted and 39% had newly secured tenured positions under the Emerging Research Support Program.
The subcommittee’s proceedings were designated for public release. It was confirmed that the minutes would be sent to committee members later for review and then published together with the materials.
Details
Goal 3 aims to create robots that coexist with people through the co-evolution of AI and robotics, and has advanced three targets: robots that accompany people throughout life, conduct scientific exploration, and operate in challenging environments. CSTI’s proposed assessment emphasized collaboration between AI and robotics researchers, general-purpose capability, and social implementation. It called for refreshing the targets and research and development framework if Goal 3 is continued for its second 5-year period. MEXT and JST are considering selecting a new PD and reopening applications.
The presentation on the United Kingdom introduced competitive funding from research councils under UKRI, block grants based on the REF, and the funding system of ARIA, which is independent of the government and other bodies. BBSRC’s standard research grants are for up to 5 years, with a maximum of £2 million, and undergo review by external experts, a rebuttal from applicants, and assessment and ranking by a panel. Final funding decisions are made by the research council, not the panel.
From the 1st through the 5th rounds, selections were made from 45 prefectures, and 12 selected researchers had been based at overseas research institutions. Research environment improvement support was provided to 59 of 64 institutions, with support including securing positions, space, and research time. About 60% of Emerging Research researchers conduct joint research with one another. No budget allocation has been made for the 7th term onward, and securing a budget was identified as a challenge.