Mirai

Mirai 2.0

MIRAI 2.0 is an academic alliance between 17 Universities in Sweden and Japan. The aim is to contribute to long-term research collaboration and to promote Sweden and Japan as nations of world-leading large-scale research infrastructure.

The focus of the MIRAI 2.0 alliance is on early career researchers but senior researchers, post doc’s and PhD students are equally welcome to participate. Thematic Expert Groups (TEG) focus on the academic topics ageing, artificial intelligence, innovation and entrepreneurship, materials science and sustainability. Additional focus is on integrating innovation and entrepreneurship perspective in all academic topics as well as connect academia and industry. There is also a clear connection to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

From 2020 until 2023, MIRAI 2.0 aims to further develop and expand the collaboration activities started in the MIRAI project (2017-2019). In a new context, to ”meet society’s expectations of future research universities”.

You will find more information about MIRAI 2.0 at Mirai.nu.

Project manager

Charlotte Skoglund
Anna Sandgren, associate professor, Linnaeus University's academic representative in MIRAI

Project duration

2020–2023

Third phase

2024–2026

 

Current

The third phase of MIRAI

The third phase of MIRAI (2024-2026) embarks on a bold mission to focus on global challenges, to be tackled collaboratively. By this, MIRAI aspires to contribute not only to the Sweden-Japan collaborations but also to global issues that should be discussed and handled across nations on the international scale. 

The following advanced goals have been set for the third phase of MIRAI: 

  • Contribute to solving global challenges by setting up groups where researchers from MIRAI universities work together across and beyond institutions, countries, disciplines and sectors. 
  • Create an environment to promote long-term research collaborations. 
  • Facilitate PhD student and researcher mobility. 
  • Promote innovation and entrepreneurship in education and research and facilitate joint efforts between academia, industry and external partners.

 

Global Challenges Teams (GCTs)

Instead of the previous academic focus areas, for the project 2024-2026 MIRAI will form four Global Challenges teams, for the targeted challenges:

Challenge 1: Health and an Ageing Population (Part of SDG 3)

Challenge 2: Climate Adaption, Disaster and Risk Management and Prevention (Part of SDG 13)

Challenge 3: Resilient Cities and Communities - Policies, Strategies, Local Government, and Urban Planning (Part of SDG 11)

Challenge 4: Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage: Renewable Energy, Solar Energy Conversion, Electrification, Sustainable Processes, and Use of Resources (Part of SDG 7)

 

Recruitment of researchers for the Global Challenge Teams is taking place spring 2024.

Focus areas

The academic focus areas are represented by the Thematic Expert Groups (TEG) and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Advisory Group (IEAG).

Each TEG and the IEAG consists of senior researchers with expertise and active research within the field, consisting of academic representatives from both Sweden and Japan. Content in each TEG and the IEAG will be decided by the representatives in each group. The groups are also responsible for evaluating and selecting workshop proposals prior to the research & innovation weeks, reporting to the General Assembly (GA) regarding the progress and results from the activities in the group as well as evaluating and nominating seed funding applications for funding.

Linnaeus academic focus areas of MIRAI is the TEG ageing and IEAG innovation and entrepreneurship.

Participating universities

The universities that are members of MIRAI 2.0 are:

Swedish universities

  • University of Gothenburg (coordinating university)
  • Jönköping University
  • Karlstad University
  • Linköping University
  • Luleå University of Technology
  • Linnaeus University
  • Umeå University
  • Uppsala University
  • Örebro University
  • Stockholm School of Economics (associate member)

Japanese universities

  • Nagoya University (coordinating university)
  • Hiroshima University
  • Sophia University
  • Kyushu University
  • Tohoku University
  • Waseda University
  • Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

Research & innovation week, 15–18 november 2022

Connect with researchers within your field and join scientific sessions within ageing, AI, innovation and entrepreneurship, material science and sustainability. On November 15-18, 2022 the MIRAI 2.0 Research & Innovation Week "Sharing ONE future: Integrative Knowledge and Sustainable Transformation towards a better world" will take place at Kyushu University in Japan. Researchers at Linnaeus Univeristy are now welcome to send in an application of interest to participate!

The event gathers researchers, students, and university management from all 20 Swedish and Japanese MIRAI 2.0 member universities as well as research funding agencies, policy makers and representatives from industry. It serves as a unique opportunity to strengthen collaboration between Sweden and Japan within research, innovation and education. Since the project started several digital conferences, workshops and meetings have been arranged and almost 30 Swedish Japanese research projects have started. Researchers at Linnaeus University can now register their interest to participate in the conference.

The research and innovation week program includes joint activities and scientific workshops in MIRAI 2.0's subject areas. Participants can present their research, take part in successful examples of collaborative projects and discuss and design project ideas. The program is continuously updated with more details until September.

In connection with the conference, there will be a call for seed funding that will make it possible to further develop the ideas and contacts that arise during the week.

Application and travel grant

The conference welcomes researchers at all levels. There is a limited number of participants per university, you register your interest to participate by submitting the document Application of interest. Linnaeus University offers a number of travel grants, you may apply to these in the Application of interest.

Employees at Swedish universities, businesses, or public sector organisations can also apply to Intsam travel grant. This call is open until September 1. The MIRAI project wants to increase collaboration with actors outside the academy and within Intsam's call, travel grants are set aside for representatives from business / industry and the public sector. For details on the Intsam call, please use link above.

 Researchers at Linnaeus University are welcome to apply for both calls, but a maximum of one (1) travel grant can be granted. Researchers with other external funding are not eligible for the Linnaeus travel grant.

Selection

Selection will be based on the Research and Innovation week’s relevance for the applicant's research, the potential to both contribute to, and benefit from, the thematic areas and the objectives of MIRAI 2.0 and the applicant's plans for future and long term cooperation. Balance between thematic areas, seniority and gender will be considered in the selection process.

Deadline to apply your interest is September 15. Send the Application of interest to: charlotte.skoglund@lnu.se

Important deadlines

  • Intsam's travel grant: September 1
  • Linnaeus University application of interest and travel grant: September 15

Application of interest

More information

Questions? Please contact MIRAI 2.0 Project Manager at the Office of External Relations charlotte.skoglund@lnu.se

Research & Innovation Week 7–11 June, 2021

University of Gothenburg is hosting the MIRAI 2.0 Digital Research and Innovation week. The theme for the event is International Collaboration in a Digital Era – Fostering Innovative Minds for the Future.

The event will include a number of scientific sessions within ageing, artificial intelligence, material science, innovation and entrepreneurship and sustainability as well as matchmaking activities, poster sessions and more. Full program and registration will be available in late April 2021. 

The event will focus on:

  • matchmaking between early career researchers
  • joint activities/workshops
  • present research 
  • access funding opportunities
  • Vinnova academia/industry matchmaking event

Program and Registration for MIRAI 2.0 Research and Innovation week

Deadline June 6

Academia/industry matchmaking event, 10 June

Theme: Artificial intelligence and the future of healthcare for older populations

The MIRAI2.0 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Advisory Group (IEAG) organises a matchmaking event that will offer a great opportunity for academics, researchers, and industrial players from both countries to network, present research progress and address new challenges, while identifying potential ideas for future collaboration and seed projects.

Program and Registration for MIRAI 2.0 Academia/Industry Matchmaking Event

Deadline June 6

MIRAI 2.0 TEG ageing workshop – Unlocking potential for new collaborations, 28–29 September 2021

In September 2021 Linnaeus University was hosting the digital MIRAI 2.0 TEG ageing workshop – Unlocking potential for new collaborations.

The workshop gave researchers the opportunity to:

  • reconnect after the Research and Innovation Week in June 2021
  • develop project ideas
  • learn more about seed funding possibilities
  • learn more about ageing in Japan and Sweden

Read more about the TEG workshop here.

Seed funding

A call for seed funding will be launched early autumn after the Research & Innovation Week (application and nomination will be made to MIRAI 2.0).

To strengthen collaboration between Japan and Sweden in research, education, and innovation, MIRAI2.0 is launching seed funding to support promising collaborative initiatives. The objective is to encourage further development of existing and new collaborations between MIRAI2.0 member universities based on innovative projects and new ideas. This call is divided into two tracks, one for joint projects and the other for joint short courses for PhDs and postdocs.

Deadline is 1 December 2022.

Call and application form is found here: https://www.mirai.nu/funding.