SINGAPORE - The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) and Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) today signed a framework agreement to deepen bilateral ties in science and technology.

Formalised during a signing ceremony in Kyoto, Japan, the agreement is part of JST's initiative to forge research collaborations between Japanese researchers and their counterparts in 23 countries around the world.

The A*Star-JST agreement aims to strengthen scientific cooperation within the area of functional applications in physical sciences over the next three years.

The latest tie-up comes on the heels of the last research partnership signed in March 2009.

Under the previous bilateral agreement, two grant calls were launched and researchers in Japan and Singapore were invited to submit their research proposals.

The first grant call was launched in August 2009 and supported research projects in physical materials and devices, photonics and nano-optics.

The second was launched in November 2011 and supported projects in bioelectronics. Through regular workshops in Japan and Singapore, the agreement also provided a platform for scientists from both countries to expand their networks to foster greater collaboration.

A*Star and JST plan to organise a joint workshop in Singapore in the next few months, followed by the launch of their third joint grant call.

Said A*Star chairman Lim Chuan Poh: "From working together in the last three years through a number of joint projects and scientific exchanges, we have developed mutual confidence and trust and are now ready to take this cooperation further".

JST president Michiharu Nakamura believe cooperation in science and technology between Japan and Singapore will continue to become more active and "to produce remarkable accomplishments".