Assessing the Performance of Japanese Major Universities through the Research Funding System

Abstract

This article reports on the performance of the research funding system of 61 Japanese national universities, specifically the Japanese Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (GASR) system. The competitive Japanese research funding system is quantitatively investigated and measured, focusing on the GASR fund and its relationship with the Japanese Science and Technology Basic Plans by applying mathematical modeling techniques. The paper proposes future policy recommendations to improve what aspect of the Japanese competitive research funding system.