Aim
This partnership programme aims to support internationally competitive collaborative research projects between Japan and UK in the field of Advanced Connectivity Technologies.
This UK-Japan joint collaboration in Advanced Connectivity Technologies is a key investment through partnership between UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), with direct support from the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Japan’s Ministry of Communications (MIC) to achieve the ambitions outlined in both the UK Government and Japan Government strategy.
EPSRC
Advanced Connectivity Technologies is one of the frontier technologies set out in the UK government’s Digital Technologies and Sector Plan, which outlines the following interventions in terms of securing international partnerships:
- building new international partnerships in digital and technologies
- investing in critical supply chains
- supporting UK regulators, expert bodies and our overseas trade teams
We recognise that research is a global endeavour; working with international partners to address shared priorities and collaborating on global challenges, ensures that we remain a world leader in engineering and physical sciences. We aim to support proposals within the EPSRC remit that will advance research and innovation in advanced connectivity technologies.
NICT
The Innovative ICT Fund Project for Beyond 5G/6G, under which this activity is implemented, includes the Elemental Technology and Seeds Creation Program (including international collaborative research projects). This programme mainly supports research and development aimed at establishing foundational technologies and generating new technological seeds from a medium- to long-term perspective.
The programme focuses on early-stage research corresponding to Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1 to 3 at the start of the project and recognises that a certain period is required before social implementation can be achieved. Through this initiative, NICT seeks to promote internationally collaborative research that strengthens scientific and technological capabilities and contributes to the future development of advanced ICT, including Beyond 5G/6G technologies.
Funding opportunity theme
Research related to integration of AI in digital networks, non-terrestrial networks and advanced optical and photonics which will contribute towards a drive in economic growth, improves lives and strengthens resilience in an increasingly connected world.
Scope
Proposals related to one or more of the following scope areas are encouraged and submissions should be limited to these areas.
Scope area one: the integration of AI in digital networks
This area is centred around developing AI driven communication networks built on robust, trustworthy and traceable AI architecture and orchestration frameworks that support distributed and federated AI. It involves designing data-centric, AI-native networks capable of managing and optimising themselves automatically, underpinned by reliable measurement methodologies that keep datasets continuously up to date, which is an essential requirement for effective machine learning based optimisation.
Progress in this area relies on advanced edge technologies that enable real time operation, supported by collaboration across network operators. Long term success further relies on open standards, sustainability, security, AI interoperability, and trustworthy governance. This is alongside cross-cutting enablers such as inclusive user participation, assurance, privacy, regulation, and energy efficient, physics informed, interpretable AI to ensure resilient and future proof networks.
Scope area two: Non-terrestrial Networks
Non-terrestrial Networks (NTNs) such as satellites, drones and high-altitude platforms, depend on advanced hardware, quantum technologies, AI, experimental testbeds, and strong security to deliver reliable communication, and several foundational challenges underpin this.
These include developing new, reliable communication methods (for example, new waveforms, hybrid optical/RF links, AI-driven optical tracking) that can operate under rapidly changing channel conditions creating smaller, low-power, high-performance hardware and antenna systems for fast-moving NTN platforms and advancing next generation satellite and quantum communication systems for sensing and connectivity that can function globally without causing interference, supported by appropriate spectrum management.
Another key challenge is ensuring interoperability across space, air, and ground networks through shared standards and securing the supply chains on which these systems depend on. AI and machine learning must support real-time optimisation, digital twin based prediction, and performance management while keeping virtual and physical systems synchronised in dynamic environments. AI is also needed to enhance complex, multivendor Open RAN and NTN architectures for greater automation and efficiency.
Additional challenges include developing scalable Internet of Things (IoT) platforms that operate across oceans, satellites, and embedded systems creating shared testbeds and global field trials to validate emerging AI-enabled NTN and IoT solutions and strengthening resilience and security across land, undersea, and satellite networks in the face of evolving threats, legacy weaknesses, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Scope area three: advanced optics/photonics
This area is centred around developing the next generation optical and wireless networks, addressing challenges from designing scalable, resilient and energy efficient optical infrastructures, supported by physics informed AI, to advancing ultrawideband fibre technologies, supported by energy efficient digital signal processing.
It also includes integration of optical and wireless systems for global-scale sensing and enabling end-to-end photonic networks through utilisation of emerging All Photonics Network (APN) concepts. Another key element is the development of quantum enabled communication links to provide secure, reliable operation and seamless integration with classical optical networks. This priority further emphasises the importance of building sustainable, interoperable systems, including APN-based architecture, with shared standards across data centres, mobile networks and operators, aligned by international frameworks.
Finally, there is the need for highly resilient networks capable of withstanding new technologies, cyber-physical threats, variable traffic patterns, and integration with space-based systems, while balancing cost, energy efficiency and global standardisation to ensure long-term, futureproof connectivity.
Expected outcomes
In this joint funding opportunity, researchers from Japan and the UK are asked to leverage each other’s strengths and address their weaknesses by collaborating internationally. The goal is to accelerate progress in advanced connectivity technologies and deliver new technologies that will drive the field forward.
This funding opportunity specifically aims to encourage the development of collaborative research partnerships that help build research ecosystems for the benefit of the next generation of researchers working in the area of Advanced Connectivity Technologies. These connections will strengthen the existing landscapes within each country and will form the foundation for research in Advanced Connectivity Technologies that drives economic growth, improves lives and strengthens resilience in an increasingly connected world.
For more information on the background of this funding opportunity, go to the ‘Additional information’ section.
Duration
The earliest anticipated start date of funded projects will be April 2027.
The duration of this award can be up to three years.
Funding available
EPSRC has a total of £3.37 million (100% FEC) for this activity and the NICT has a total of ¥600 million for this activity. Funding will be available for approximately three research projects.
Applications should adhere to the following country-specific requirements:
- UK budget requests should be up to £897,000 (80% of the FEC) per proposal
- Japanese budget requests should be up to ¥200 million per proposal
We aim to fund approximately three collaborations through this activity for projects of three years’ duration. Applications may consist of a single research project, or a suite of related research activities in a defined research area.
What we will fund (UK applicants only)
You can request funding for costs such as:
- a contribution to the salary of the project lead and co-leads
- support for other posts such as research, project management and technical
- research consumables
- travel and subsistence costs
- data preservation, data sharing and dissemination costs
- estates and indirect costs
See more information on costs you can apply for
Supporting skills and talent
We encourage you to follow the principles of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and the Technician Commitment.
Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I)
UKRI is committed in ensuring that effective international collaboration in research and innovation takes place with integrity and within strong ethical frameworks. Trusted Research and Innovation (TR&I) is a UKRI work programme designed to help protect all those working in our thriving and collaborative international sector by enabling partnerships to be as open as possible, and as secure as necessary. Our TR&I Principles set out UKRI’s expectations of organisations funded by UKRI in relation to due diligence for international collaboration.
As such, applicants for UKRI funding may be asked to demonstrate how their proposed projects will comply with our approach and expectation towards TR&I, identifying potential risks and the relevant controls you will put in place to help proportionately reduce these risks.
See further guidance and information about TR&I, including where applicants can find additional support.
