Niigata University New Next Generation Project—A Project to Develop Pioneering Doctoral Human Resources with Global Comprehensive Knowledge to Lead Future Society—

Application Guidelines
for AY2025(including AY2024 fall), and AY2026 for Advance Application (including AY2025 fall)
Niigata University has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) to be funded under its
program “Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING)” for Academic Year (AY
2024, which is designed to support doctoral course students’ endeavors. With this funding, Niigata University will
implement a Project to Develop Pioneering Doctoral Human Resources with Global Comprehensive Knowledge to
Lead Future Society.
[Purpose]
In order to develop next-generation doctoral talents capable of performing challenging and interdisciplinary
research that goes beyond existing frameworks and creating innovation in diverse areas, Niigata University has
established a Project to Develop Pioneering Doctoral Human Resources with Global Comprehensive Knowledge to
Lead Future Society *1 (hereinafter referred to as the “New Next Generation Project”) with an aim to improvetreatment and help form career paths for doctoral course students with excellent academic performance. Students
accepted for the New Next Generation Project are not only provided with financial support for covering their living
and research expenses under a research grant, but also are required to participate in career path support programs
held on campus and to undertake challenging and interdisciplinary research under the Short-term Cross-laboratory
Study Program, among other requirements.*2 After earning degrees, they are expected to take advantage of theabilities developed during the period of the project to play active roles in various social fields, mainly industrial.
We hope that many doctoral course students who fully understand the purpose of the New Next Generation Project
and are highly motivated to play prominent roles in science and technology as well as innovation of Japan in the
future will apply for the project.
*1

We have established the Niigata University Vision 2030 with a mission of “Becoming a front-runner of future
life innovation.” Our definition of “life innovation” is not confined to the fields of medical care, health, andwelfare, but is also innovation that creates new value and meaning of our “existence,” “whole life,” “way ofliving,” “the ideal society,” “involvement with the environment,” as well as the bases of these: the earth andnature as we live through the 21st century.
For details, please visit https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/university/about/mission-vision/vision2030/*2 The JST SPRING program requires fund recipients to submit a report every academic year. JST plans to makemid-term evaluations based on these reports. JST clearly states that depending on such evaluations, it may cut
or withdraw funding. For the JST SPRING application guidelines and FAQ, please visit
https://www.jst.go.jp/jisedai/spring/dl/application-guideline-2024SPRING.pdf (in Japanese)
https://www.jst.go.jp/jisedai/spring/dl/faq-2024SPRINGr3.pdf (in Japanese)1[Eligibility for application and number of openings]
NumberCategory of

Eligibility for application (Program; nth year etc.)

Application[1] AY2025
application(including AY2024
fall)

of
openings

Applicants who are scheduled to enroll and be enrolled in one of thefollowing Niigata University graduate school doctoral programs/years in
April 2025 (or October 2024).

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・The first year of a segment-type doctoral program
・The first year of a four-year doctoral program of medical and dental sciences
Applicants who are scheduled to enroll and be enrolled in one of the[2]AY2026

following Niigata University graduate school doctoral programs/years inadvance application

April 2026 (or October 2025).

(including AY2025

・The first year of a segment-type doctoral program

fall)

・The first year of a four-year doctoral program of medical and dental

A few

sciences[Support period]
The period of support for [1] is from the start of support in April 2025 (or October 2024), and the period of support
for [2] is from the start of support in April 2026 (or October 2025) for a maximum of three years (or four years for a
four-year doctoral programs). If the length of enrollment exceeds three years (or four years for a four-year doctoral
program), the period thereafter will be outside the scope of support.
However, due to limitations on the number of students to be supported each year, support may start in April of thefollowing year for students who enroll in October. In such cases, the maximum period of support will be two years
and six months (or three years and six months for a four-year program).
For a person who has experienced major life events such as childbirth and childcare, the support period may besuspended or extended, or other arrangements may be made according to his/her personal circumstances.
[Application Requirements]
1. The applicant must understand the purposes of the JST SPRING program and the Niigata University New
Next Generation Project, have outstanding research capabilities or qualifications and motivation, bewilling to concentrate on challenging and interdisciplinary research projects with an open and flexible
mind, and satisfy the above eligibility for application and the following requirements.The project has nolimits on age or area of research.
Keep in mind that the Application Guidelines for the JST SPRING program require international students totake a career path that will contribute to Japan’s science, technology, and innovation with a view to remaining inJapan after completing the program and to helping Japan become more internationally competitive. The
Application Guidelines also require inviting applicants from diverse countries and regions, with a special
emphasis on ASEAN nations. This requirement may be taken into account in the screening process.
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The following persons cannot apply:(1) A Research Fellow for Young Scientists of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)(2) A student receiving a scholarship that is enough to cover standard living expenses (2.4 million yen per year)(3) A student who is recognized to be receiving a stable income as salary, executive compensation, etc. from theuniversity, company, etc. to which he/she belongs, at a sufficient level to cover his/her living expenses*3(4) An international student who receives support from the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship and/or
support (such as scholarship) from his/her home country*3 The standard annual compensation for adequately covering living expenses is set at 2.4 million yen per year.
2. The successful applicants must comply with all of the following requirements:(1) Concentrating on research activities according to the research plans they have submitted(2) Taking career development and training opportunities*4(3) Participating in the PhD student exchange meetings*5(4) Submitting a research plan at year-start and a research accomplishment report at year-end(5) Having regular interviews with their mentor(6) Registering at researchmap and updating your research achievements, as well as cooperating in various
surveys, most notably follow-up surveys on your career paths over a period of more than ten years after
completing their doctoral programs(7) Complying with various research-related laws and regulations and the university regulations, as well as
autonomously ensuring research integrity ( the soundness and fairness of research)*4 Career development and training opportunities, which involve both support for research capacity development
and classes for career path development, can be divided under the following headings. The career development
and training opportunities that students must take vary depending on their elective unit (explained later). Checkthe details at information sessions and the like.
(i) Cultivating an international mindset
Presentations at international academic meetings, overseas education and training, contribution of
papers to international English-language journals, and exchange events with international students.
(ii) Strengthening industry-academia collaboration
Career management seminars, exchange with corporate researchers through hands-on participation
programs, business matching with corporations, Cooperative Education through Research Internships
and other internships as needed(iii) Supporting the acquisition of transferable skills
Generic skills seminars, intellectual property education, presentation skills seminars, academic writing
seminars, and events held by graduate student associations and affiliate centers(iv) Securing career paths for young researchers
PhD recruitment forums, career seminars for doctors, and company information sessions for doctors
3jointly organized by partner universities (company-student matching events)(v) Supporting student startups and university-launched ventures
Entrepreneurship education(vi) Supporting the acquisition of expertise and skills related to data science
Seminars and workshops for gaining various skills, the Young Data Scientists Colloquium (YDSC)(vii) Promoting interdisciplinary research
The Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program (Multi-Laboratory System), and the U-go Salon, an
event for interdisciplinary exchange hosted by university research administrators (URAs)*5 Campus-wide interdisciplinary exchange meetings for PhD students. They may involve an overnight stay.
3. The first year of the New Next Generation Project (D1) involves gaining basic academic skills, transferable
skills, and information and AI skills under the common menu, as well as nurturing the foundations forlaunching challenging and interdisciplinary research via mentor interviews. In the second year of the project(D2), students are divided among four talent development units. Students work on the activities they choose
from among the compulsory activities defined, and other opportunities offered, in their respective units. We
introduce a point system to evaluate student performance in these activities.
(1) Common menu (the first year (D1))
Compulsory requirements include participating in the guidance session for successful applicants, career
management seminars (except for those who have already gained the credits concerned), and mentor
interviews, as well as registering at researchmap and cooperative education through research internships
system.
(2) Talent development units (from the second year (D2))(i) Research exploration unit (standard quota: 3 students for each doctoral year)
This unit is designed to develop doctoral talents who try to further deepen their specialty researchcapabilities through the acquisition of transferable skills and academic skills under the career support
menu.
Students must contribute as many papers as or more than needed to complete the doctoral program by theend of the support period, apply for a Research Fellowship for Young Scientists of the Japan Society for
the Promotion of Science (JSPS) every year, and participate in an academic writing seminar at least one
course per year.
(ii) Career development unit (standard quota: 6 students for each doctoral year)
This unit is designed to develop doctoral talents who create scientific technologies and innovations acrossindustry, academia and government through the acquisition of transferable skills and generic skills fromthe career support menu.
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Students must participate—at least once during the support period—in the PhD recruitment forum and ageneric skills seminar (three sessions in total).
(iii) Creative research unit with crossover AI (standard quota: 6 students for each doctoral year)
This unit is designed to develop doctoral talents who can create innovations in the cross-AI field throughthe acquisition of not only transferable skills but also expertise and skills related to data science—which
is being accelerated and diversified—under the career support menu.
Students must organize and manage a YDSC once during the support period and participate in a seminaror workshop organized by the Big Data Activation (BDA) Research Center at least once during the
support period.
(iv) Interdisciplinary research unit (standard quota: 14 students for each doctoral year)
This unit is designed to develop doctoral talents who can create innovations in diverse fields through theuse of knowledge and expertise gained through interdisciplinary research.
Students must participate in the Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program (Multi-Laboratory
System) except for the last academic year of the support period, during which students are encouraged
to do so. With an aim to promote students’ interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and foster
their challenging and interdisciplinary research capacity, we encourage active implementation ofinterdisciplinary research exchange across the humanities and social sciences, science and technology,
and medicine and dentistry by allowing them to engage in research at another laboratory on campus fora given period (three months as a standard for each doctoral year in and after the second year). Students
must also present their multi-laboratory achievements at the year-end symposium or an on-campus
research exchange meeting (the U-go Salon, etc.) at least once during the support period.
In addition to the above, students must participate in the year-end symposium every year during the support
period.
We will decide how students are divided among these four units based on two factors. One is theirwishes as expressed in the questionnaire form they submitted at the time of application and in their subsequent
mentor interviews. The other is their performance in their first year. Because each unit has its own standard
quota, it is possible that some students cannot move on to the units of their preference. The above description
reflects what these units are expected to look like as of now. Their frameworks and quotas may be subject tochange depending both on progress in the project and on possible changes in the project budget.
Separately, this project will launch a new initiative aimed at developing doctoral talents who will start up
businesses and university-launched ventures.
Note that although students may engage in activities identified for these units from their first year if they wish,
this engagement will not necessarily work to their advantage in the process of dividing students among the four
units.
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[Support details]
1. Financial support for living and research expenses(1) Financial support for living expenses: 175,000 yen per month. Payment is made every two months.
(2) Financial support for research expenses is shown below:
First year (under the common menu) : 200,000 yen/year
Second year onward

Research exploration unit: 200,000 yen/year
Career development unit: 200,000 yen/year
Creative research unit with crossover AI: 300,000 yen/year
Interdisciplinary research unit: 400,000 yen/year

The amount may be increased depending on the nature of the research project. If the support period is six
months or less, the amount to be paid will be half the yearly payment, as a rule.
2. Support by mentors: research environment assistance, as well as advice and suggestions regarding thedevelopment of career paths to academia or industry
3. Support by the PhD Career Support Office: career development and training opportunities, such as generic skills
seminars

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[Application documents]
1. The following application documents ((i) to (iii)) must be submitted.
(i) Application Form for Support of Niigata University New Next Generation Project(1_drshien shinseisho_en_R7R8)(ii) Letter of Recommendation for an Applicant for Support of Niigata University New Next Generation Project(2_drshien suisensho_en_R7R8)(iii) Letter of Consent for an Applicant for Support of Niigata University New Next Generation Project(3_drshien douisho_en_R7R8)
2. The applicant must submit the document (i).
3. The applicant must find his/her recommender who knows the applicant well and ask him/her to submit the
document (ii). (The recommender should preferably be the applicant’s host faculty member (doctoral advisor) in
the doctoral program.) The applicant is prohibited from reviewing the content of the letter of recommendation.
The applicant must ask his/her host faculty member (doctoral advisor) to submit the application document (iii).
(Application documents (i) and (ii) could be prepared and submitted by the same person.)
4. The applicant must download the prescribed forms from the following URL and complete the application
documents ((i) to (iii)). (https://www.phd.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/application-guidelines-3/)
The application form must be in a language that he/she understand, either Japanese or English.
The second screenig (online interview: Zoom) will be conduct of a 3-minute presentation and a 5-minute Q&A
session by the language indicated in the application form.
If fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other misconduct is detected in the application documents, a strict
response will be taken.
[Application procedures]
1. The applicant must take the following steps to apply.
(1) Register the applicant’s information
The applicant must register the necessary information in the application registration form
(https://forms.office.com/r/xYvjNn3h2W).
(2) Submit the application documents
The applicant must submit the application document (i) to fs-spring@gs.niigata-u.ac.jp. Convert the
document to the PDF file format (if necessary, sign the document and capture it with a scanner), add thepassword “drshien_R7R8” to the file, and submit it by email. The subject of the email must be “Applicationfor Support of Niigata University New Next Generation Project ([Applicant’s name]).” The email text
must include the name of the applicant, the title of the course the applicant is taking or has taken, andthe email address the applicant provided on the form that is being used currently and will be usedduring the period of enrollment and after the completion of the doctoral program. If the applicant has no
choice but to change the email address after the application, make sure to inform the Niigata University
Administrative Office for Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation of the change.
72. The recommender must submit the application document (ii) to fs-spring@gs.niigata-u.ac.jp. Convert the
document to the PDF file format (if necessary, sign the document and capture it with a scanner), add thepassword “drshien_R7R8rec” , and submit it by email. The subject of the email must be “Letter ofRecommendation for Support of the New Next Generation Project ([Applicant’s name (Student’sname)]).”
The applicant’s host faculty member in the doctoral program (doctoral advisor) must submit the application
document (iii) to fs-spring@gs.niigata-u.ac.jp. The recommender must convert the document to the PDF fileformat (if necessary, sign the document and capture it with a scanner), add the password“drshien_R7R8rec” ,and submit it by email. The subject of the email must be “Letter of Consent for Supportof the New Next Generation Project ([Applicant’s name (Student’s name)]).”[Application period]
From Monday, July 29, 2024 to Wednesday, July 31, 2024 (no later than this date)
If he/she does not receive an email confirmation of receipt of application in three days (not counting Saturday,
Sunday, or holidays), contact us by phone using the contact information below.
Note that applications will not be accepted after the deadline under any circumstances.
[Screening policy]
We are looking for excellent students with scholarly promise and potential for the future as well as an open andflexible mind and brilliant execution skills that go beyond the areas of study or fields of activity, and in thescreening process, we value the following criteria:(1) The applicant understands the purposes of the JST SPRING program and the Niigata University New Next
Generation Project and complies with all the requirements that are listed under the heading “Application
Requirements” (pages 2–6 of the Application Guidelines).
(2) The applicant is willing to concentrate on research.
(3) The applicant has excellent research abilities.
(4) The research contains a component that can contribute to Japan’s science, technology, and innovation, andtherefore has the potential for further development.
(5) The applicant has the promising potential to lead society in the future and is open to diverse career paths.
(6) The applicant is willing to create challenging and interdisciplinary research and new fields of research notbound by existing frameworks.
(7) The applicant is willing to gain comprehensive global knowledge and resolve social issues that may surface inthe future.
(8) The applicant is willing to undertake collaborative research with businesses and research contributing toregional revitalization and activation.
(9) The applicant complies with various research-related laws and regulations and the university regulations andautonomously ensures research integrity (the soundness and fairness of research).

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[Screening and notification of results]
Our screening committee conducts the first screening (document screening) and the second screening (interview).
Applicants who have passed the second screening will be admitted to this project. We will notify applicants of theresults of the first screening by Monday, August 26. The second screening will be conducted on Wednesday,
September 4, Thursday, September 5, or Friday, September 6. The second screening will be conducted online(Zoom) and will consist of a presentation (3 minutes) and Q&A (5 minutes). Based on the purpose of this project,
we plan to ask the applicants to explain "Reasons for applying for this Next-generation Project and career goals as
an academic researcher", using one or two slides. We will notify applicants of the results of the second screening byWednesday, September 18. If the quota is not filled by the end of the final screening, or if one or more of thesuccessful applicants decline, we may admit additional applicant(s) or call for additional applications.
These notifications will be sent to the email address provided on the application registration form. (The applicant
must provide an email address that is being used currently and will be used during the period of enrollment andafter the completion of the doctoral program.)[Other matters]
The numbers of openings and the details of support may be subject to change due to the Japanese government’s
budgetary appropriations, or for other reasons.
[Contact information]
Niigata University Administrative Office for Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation(Graduate Student Support Section, Student Affairs Division)
Phone number: 025-262-6110

Fax number: 025-262-6991

Email address:fs-spring@gs.niigata-u.ac.jp【Niigata University Doctoral Support Related Websites】
・PhD recruitment office：https://www.phd.niigata-u.ac.jp(in Japanese)・Doctoral Portal Site：https://portal.phd.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/
・New Next Generation Project：https://www.phd.niigata-u.ac.jp/student/fellowship/shinzisedaipj/ (in Japanese)

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