The Web portal for researchers to share equipment and facilities in Kyushu University

Kyushu University is committed to promoting a research environment where research equipment and facilities can be shared effectively and efficiently. In doing so, the university aims to support research and development in new and interdisciplinary fields as well as further the development of industry-academia collaboration in efforts to enhance the university's research capabilities.

Kyushu University formed the Research Equipment and Facilities Sharing Platform Working Group in 2017 in order to promote the shared use of research equipment and facilities within the university. In 2018, we began creating a university-wide platform and database for shared-use research equipment and facilities as a way to connect the independent initiatives of each research organization.

In addition, in order to clarify the fundamental concept of sharing research equipment within the university, the Basic Policy on the Development and Promotion of Shared Use of Research Facilities and Equipment at Kyushu University was formulated in 2023 (partially revised in May 2026).

Under this policy, Kyushu University has been promoting the Research Environment Development Project, a university-wide initiative to strategically develop research equipment and facilities.

Furthermore, these initiatives are being carried over to the Research Equipment Development Office, established in 2026, which is responsible for further strengthening the framework and promoting more advanced initiatives.

ShareAid Functions

News: Updates and announcements about shared-use equipment and facilities are posted here.
Seminar Information: Information on lectures and other on-campus events that can help you make the most of shared-use equipment and facilities are posted here.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions are posted here.
Reservation and
Management System
:
Users can search for shared research equipment and facilities on campus and make reservations for use. An account is required to make reservations. Users can check their own usage history, and equipment managers can check usage records for each piece of equipment.
(The following services are only available on campus)
Reuse: An online bulletin board for on-campus reuse of research equipment, facilities, and other related instruments.
Research Environment
Development Project
:
Information on the basic policy and a list of research equipment and facilities.

History

2017 (Heisei 29) Establishment of a working group to develop a university-wide system for shared use of research equipment and facilities
2018 (Heisei 30) Development of a university-wide platform for the shared use of research equipment and facilities
Formulation of regulations for equipment sharing
2019 (Heisei 31 / Reiwa 1) Launch of “ShareAid”, a support portal for research equipment and facilities
Start of the Kyushu University Research Environment Development Project 2021 (Reiwa 3)
Addition of a reservation and billing management system to ShareAid
2023 (Reiwa 5) Renewal of the ShareAid management system
Addition of a research equipment crowdfunding page to ShareAid