About AMED Management and Evaluation Framework

Management and Evaluation Framework

Experts with excellent academic backgrounds, extensive research and development (R&D) experience, and insights related to the evaluation of R&D projects and operational management in research areas are assigned as Program Directors (PDs), Program Supervisors (PSs), and Program Officers (POs). These individuals work together to understand the issues involved in AMED’s collaborative areas and make highly professional adjustments involving the management of the collaborative areas they are in charge of and facilitation of cooperation between the areas. Furthermore, they evaluate or identify excellent R&D proposals and conduct consistent operations so that the results of basic research can lead to clinical research and be put to practical use.

The evaluation of R&D projects is conducted by the Evaluation Committee, which consists of external experts. Evaluations include ex-ante evaluations in which R&D projects to be supported by AMED are selected from the R&D proposals submitted through public applications, and mid-term reviews/ex-post evaluations to assess the progress of the supported R&D projects.

AMED is taking steps to improve the management and evaluation of R&D projects so as to play its expected role at its full potential in the medical R&D field.

In order to improve quality further and ensure transparency and integrity in project management by evaluation panel members, PDs, PSs, and POs, we have revised and improved relevant regulations, including the Regulations for Managing Conflict of Interest for them (October 2016). Moreover, a common 10-point assessment tool has been adopted for the project evaluation, which is to be used in all programs from April 2017, in principle.

In order to further improve the quality of project evaluations, in 2018, we introduced ex ante reviews by international reviewers (“AMED reviewers”) for some proposals submitted through public application.

Role of PD PS POs

Based upon the Plan for the Promotion of Medical Research and Development prescribed by the government of Japan, the AMED consistently promotes R&D in the field of medicine, from basic research to clinical trials, with the nine key fields, including regenerative medicine and oncology, etc. Additionally, it conducts programs with the aim of comprehensively and effectively establishing and maintaining an environment for R&D.

For implementation of programs, the AMED adopts proposals broadly from researchers of universities, research institutions, companies or institutions, and appropriately evaluates, selects and decides the individuals chosen to implement the projects. For the evaluation and operation of the R&D programs, AMED selects and assigns experts, who have sophisticated knowledge with superior experience in academia and R&D achievements in their fields, as Program Directors (PDs), Program Supervisors (PSs), and Program Officers (POs), cooperating to gain an understanding of the research areas in the key fields, and conduct advanced expert coordination, such as the operation of the field (program) in charge and promotion of cooperation among programs, etc. They also promote R&D with consistent management that evaluates and discovers excellent R&D proposals, utilizing the results of basic research for clinical research/practical applications.

Role of PDs

PDs understand the research topics in the key fields as a whole, and conduct advanced coordination, such as the management of their responsible key field, and the promotion of cooperation among programs, etc. In addition, they make recommendations to the President, such as the expansion of programs that require the acceleration of R&D, and the addition of new programs concerning the key fields in which they are in charge.

Role of PSs

PSs operate the program by understanding the objective of the program in which they are responsible.

Role of POs

POs support PSs and take charge of program operations.

The AMED Program Officer System

AMED began “the AMED Program Officer System” in 2016 to promote the development of project management skills among its staff. Please click the following link for details:

AMED’s Concept of Project Promotion (*In the case of drug development )

Promotion of R&D in the six integrated projects defined in the 2nd Healthcare Policy and medium- to long-term plan

  • Establish six “Integrated Projects”centered on modalities, and under the Program Director (PD), the projects of related ministries and agencies will be coordinated, and will be centrally promoted from basic to practical application.
  • Disease research will be promoted across the integrated projects so that it can be managed flexibly by the coordinators of each disease.
  • Implement a technical approach with clearly defined development objectives such as “prevention, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, QOL”, with a focus on extending healthy longevity.

Last updated 12/14/22