On 26 October 2018, JIRCAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing collaborative research with the French Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences - Paris (iEES Paris). iEES Paris specializes in environment and ecology studies and participates in research activities conducted by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of Paris VI (UPMC) and the French National Institute of Agriculture (INRA). JIRCAS plans to conduct joint analysis of BNI (Biological Nitrification Inhibition) substances in perennial grasses that have BNI capacity, a research subject that iEES-Paris is currently exploring in the African savanna natural ecosystem. The results are expected to help clarify the ecological factors that drive the evolution of BNI function.

The MoU signing ceremony was held on the second and last day of the 3rd BNI International Consortium Conference in Tsukuba. The MoU was signed by JIRCAS President Masa Iwanaga and the deputy CEO of CNRS, and witnessed by Dr. Jean-Christoph Lata, a researcher with iEES Paris.