The performance review aims to check and evaluate the excellence of research outcomes and development of research capabilities as a principal investigator (PI) since the research commencement as a YSF. If a YSF requests an extension of the Fellowship, the extension decision will be made during the performance review.

1) When requesting an extension: The requesting YSF will submit a status report on the research outcomes generated over the past two and a half years since the research commencement as a YSF. Then, a performance review consisting of an on-site review and research presentation will take place. The results, including the decision on Fellowship extension, will be delivered by the 9th month of the 2nd Fellowship year at the latest. For the performance review, the YSF’s director will be asked to submit a written opinion about the YSF, including synergy between the YSF and the Center, to the unit responsible for research evaluation.

2) When not requesting an extension: Only document evaluation of a status report will take place.

3) When an IBS researcher is selected as a YSF of their Center: Since support will be provided for up to three years, only document evaluation of a status report will take place without consideration of a Fellowship extension.

• ※ Review items
• -Excellence in research: Originality, potential and impact of research, excellence and significance of research outcomes produced during the Fellowship term, appropriateness of the future research plan and so on
• -Capabilities as a PI: Leadership, capabilities to conduct research independently and so on
• -Appropriateness of management: Propriety of research budget allocation and spending, appropriateness of research group composition (personnel and organization), necessity and use of purchased equipment (if applicable) and so on
• -Cooperation with and contribution to the Center: Use of the Center’s infrastructure, synergy creation (collaborative research), contribution to the Center’s large-scale and long-term interdisciplinary research and so on

The YSF who intends to request early termination of their project and the Center concerned must notify the responsible unit of the intent two months prior to the expected termination date. Based on the notification, the unit responsible for evaluation will request submission of a status report while the unit responsible for research management will request a progress report and budget execution report (only for Extramural Centers). Then, the research account reconciliation will take place. After considering the term as a YSF and other factors, an IBS committee will determine a review method and schedule. A review will be carried out in line with the predetermined method and schedule, and the YSF will be notified of the results.

In the case of Center or PRC Group discontinuation, the research project of the YSF concerned will be terminated in principle. However, when transfer to another Center is possible and the YSF concerned agrees with the transfer, the YSF’s research group can move to another Center to continue the research.