The NAOJ ALMA project invites proposals for the ALMA workshop FY2026 call. Funding will be available to organize face-to-face, virtual, or hybrid meetings. The ALMA workshop program provides a unique opportunity for Japanese community members to hold dedicated workshops closely related to the scientific and technical aspects of the ALMA telescope. The scope of the workshop can include, for example, detailed planning for the upcoming ALMA proposal call, the formation of new research groups, or the development of new instruments related to the ALMA telescope.

Deadline for submission: 15:00 JST June 24, 2026.
*There is only one call for proposals for this fiscal year. The total amount of support provided will remain roughly the same as in previous years.

Please read the following important points before filling out your application.

1.Workshop styles are classified into three categories:

Category 1- Workshop:
NAOJ ALMA Project will cover the expenses necessary to hold a meeting for a few to several days. In addition to domestic travel expenses, overseas travel expenses for invited speakers may be covered as necessary. This program can be held jointly with workshops funded by other organizations. Up to 500,000 Yen will be provided.

Category 2- Series of seminar workshops:
NAOJ ALMA Project will cover domestic travel expenses necessary to hold a series of one-day seminar workshops within one fiscal year. This program does not cover travel expenses to participate in meetings hosted by other organizations. Up to 400,000 Yen will be provided.

Category 3- Workshop (Large Proposal):
This is similar to Category 1, but the workshop should focus on the prospects for ALMA Large Programs, specifically led by researchers in the East Asian region. In addition to domestic travel expenses, overseas travel expenses for invited speakers may be covered as needed. This program can be held jointly with workshops funded by other organizations. Up to 1,000,000 Yen will be provided.

2. Accepted workshops must be completed by the end of the first week of March 2027.
We would appreciate it if you could avoid scheduling the proposed workshop at the end of the fiscal year, as it is a busy time and administrative procedures may be significantly delayed.

3. The PI shall lead the workshop and implement the following tasks:
(1) Notify the NAOJ ALMA Project of the workshop date as soon as possible (no later than one month before the workshop begins).
(2) Announce the workshop through tennet and ryunet to promote broad participation.
(3) Decide how to allocate the travel allowance to participants within the budget, under the following rules.

• The budget can only be used to attend the ALMA workshop.
• Use discount economy fares.
• Before issuing the flight ticket, obtain approval from the NAOJ ALMA Project for the itinerary and ticket cost.
• Participants are not allowed to spend extra days for personal travel.
• Compensation for travel fees and allowances will be provided in a manner that complies with NAOJ's rules and NAOJ ALMA's rules.
• The period for travel expense subsidy must be between the workshop start date (arrival) and the workshop end date (departure). If there is no public transportation to arrive in time for the workshop, or if participants need overnight stays before or after the workshop, please contact the NAOJ ALMA Project in advance.
• If you plan to hold a workshop at a location other than a university or research institution, please consult with the NAOJ ALMA Project in advance and provide the reasons for your selection.
• If the workshop is to be held at a venue that charges a usage fee, the NAOJ ALMA Project will handle the reservation. For any other expenses, please submit a cost estimate to the NAOJ ALMA Project in advance for approval.

(4) Collect necessary documents for travel allowance and submit to the NAOJ ALMA Project
(5) Submit a summary report of the workshop after the workshop

• We may ask the PI to submit a summary of the workshop results for the ALMA Users' Meeting.

4. Selection of workshops shall be made by the Selection Committee consisting of:

• EA ALMA Project Manager
• EA ALMA Regional Center Manager
• EA ALMA Project Scientist
• One member from JSAC

5. Applicant may apply for other support programs provided by NAOJ along with this program, but the applicant is not allowed to receive support from two or more programs by NAOJ simultaneously.

6. Due to the agreement between NAOJ and ASIAA/KASI, NAOJ cannot support the travel budget for researchers from these institutes.

Please submit the application form to: alma_ws_at_ml.nao.ac.jp (replace _at_ with @)

• Application Form for ALMA Workshop FY2026