About J-GRID (Japan Initiative for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases)

ABSTRACT

Since infectious diseases heed no national borders, international research collaboration across borders must be enhanced. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan launched the J-GRID program in 2005, which consists of the two elements; (1) construction of collaboration centers in Asian and African countries on a reciprocal basis between a Japanese university/institution and a counterpart in the host country and (2) connecting those collaboration centers into a network and setting up its headquarters, CRNID. J-GRID initiated with 5 collaboration centers in 3 Asian countries has expanded to include 13 centers in 8 countries (6 in Asia and 2 in Africa). The aims of J-GRID include conducting high quality research on infectious diseases of regional and global importance, and advancing technologies and developing human resources in the field. In this way, J-GRID is expected to contribute to the public health of the host countries, our own country and the world. After the completion of the first start-up phase (2005–2009), J-GRID has stepped up its activity for the second phase (2010–2014). While the first phase was just like an incubation period, the second phase should be the exponential growth phase, maximizing its research activities. Indeed, J-GRID is now generating remarkable research outcomes with an increasing number of publications. The mid-term evaluation made by the MEXT in FY2012 commended J-GRID as an ideal model led by Japan, a world leader of science and technology, and highly recommended that the program be continued for years to come after 2014.