The AUSMIP + partnership, composed of 5 European, 3 Japanese, 2 Korean, 1 Australian and 1 New-Zealand HEI, including 6 European, 4 Japanese and 1 Korean Associated Partner, aims to stimulate innovative research and the transfer of know-how and expertise in the field of Urban Planning and Architecture in a context of global demographic transitions.The partnership's long-term ambition is to develop into a global incubator, creating new fields of expertise and know-how crossing the boundaries of conventional research while focusing on practicability and entrepreneurship.Through the exchange of 140 PhD students, post-docs, faculty and administrative staff within the network, or AUSMIP + "loop", researches and knowledge will flow freely, strengthening existing links and nodes and eventually result in a new kind of professional.Based on the existing EU-Japanese "Ausmip" Pilot Program, the seven Japanese and European partners will, after nine years of intensive collaboration, expand their consortium to include top ranking Universities from Eastern Europe, Korea, Australia and New-Zealand.The proposed AUSMIP + program will focus on integration four important strands of research methodology and expertise within the fields of Architecture and Urban Planning. The resulting trans-disciplinary partnership will take on a unique position in between "urban" studies and "smart" cities.