◆Calculation of Personnel Costs for Researchers in Collaborative Research Projects
Release Date:
To further promote research and development within the local community and industry, our university has been actively pursuing joint research projects with private companies and other organizations. In these joint research projects, our private-sector partners have borne not only direct costs (such as personnel expenses for research support staff, honoraria, travel expenses, equipment costs, and consumables—expenses directly necessary for conducting the research) but also indirect costs (expenses required for conducting the research that are not covered by direct costs).
Meanwhile, the “Japan Revitalization Strategy 2016” (approved by the Cabinet in June 2016) set a government target to “triple the amount of corporate investment in universities and national research and development corporations by fiscal year 2025, exceeding the average level of OECD countries.” Additionally, the “Guidelines for Strengthening Joint Research through Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration”(November 2016, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) proposed revising cost calculations for joint research projects and requesting appropriate cost-sharing from the private sector as a means of rationalizing cost-sharing in industry-academia collaboration.Furthermore, in June 2020, a supplement to the “Guidelines for Strengthening Joint Research through Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration” was issued , which newly proposes that industry also be asked to invest in the “value” derived from such collaboration as part of efforts to rationalize cost-sharing in industry-academia-government partnerships.
In response to this, we have decided to revise the Joint Research Regulations to enable the calculation of personnel costs for research staff* involved in joint research as “compensation for time spent on joint research.” We consider the research capabilities of researchers engaged in joint research to be a vital asset for the university.We believe it is essential to establish a system that allows the research time spent by research staff on joint research to be calculated as direct personnel expenses. We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
■Revised Content
(1) Calculation of personnel costs for researchers involved in joint research
Before revision: Not specified
After revision: Calculation based on an hourly rate corresponding to the number of hours worked is now permitted*
*Personnel costs calculated by multiplying the pre-set hourly rate by the number of hours required for the joint research (within the scope agreed upon with the joint research partner) may be recorded as direct costs.For calculation purposes, the hourly rates are set at 6,000 yen per hour for professors, 5,000 yen per hour for associate professors, 5,000 yen per hour for lecturers, and 4,500 yen per hour for assistant professors (it is also possible to set rates higher than these standard rates based on agreement with the collaborative research partner).Furthermore, 80% of the personnel costs received will be allocated to the research staff’s research expenses (additional allocation) or salaries (additional payment), while 20% will be utilized for expenses to revitalize education and research (administered by the University Headquarters).
(2) Scope of Application and Effective Date
[New Contracts] New contracts with a research start date on or after November 1, 2020
[Amended Contracts] Amended contracts involving changes to expenses where the revised research start date is on or after November 1, 2020