Nagoya University
Interdisciplinary Frontier Fellowship
Application Guidelines (New Recruitment)

Qualified Enrollment Year
AY2023 (2nd Recruitment)
Doctoral Course
Doctoral Course in
Medicine

Scheduled entrants in April 2023
Scheduled entrants in October 2023
Scheduled second-year student in April 2023
Scheduled second-year student in October 2023

AY2024 (1st Recruitment)
Doctoral Course

Scheduled entrants in April 2024

Doctoral Course in
Scheduled second-year student in April 2024
Medicine*For details other than the above, refer to 4. Application Qualifications.

January 2023

Nagoya University Interdisciplinary Frontier Fellowship
Application Guidelines (New Recruitment)
AY2023 (2nd Recruitment)/ AY2024 (1st Recruitment)
1.

PurposeNagoya University (hereinafter referred to as “the University”) aims to foster doctoral humanresources who can advance the interdisciplinary frontier, create future knowledge,
implement it in society, and play an active role globally.
The Nagoya University Interdisciplinary Frontier Fellowship (hereinafter referred to as “theFellowship”) is an academic system designed to support both the research and thelivelihood of students who enroll in the doctoral program of the University in the hope thatthey will acquire considerable knowledge and outstanding abilities during the three years ofthe doctorate program and will demonstrate their wide-ranging faculties cultivated throughtheir experience in various fields in society after obtaining their doctoral degree.
Through this system, the University expects that successful doctoral graduates willcontribute to the continued deepening of science and technology in Japan, the creation of
next-generation science, technology, and innovation, and the construction of a vibrant society.
The University Fellowship Establishment Project for the Creation of Science and Technology Innovation of JST
and Nagoya University jointly implement this system. The contents of the Fellowship may be subject to change
due to changes in JST’s program.

2.

Fields Open to Applications (Four (4) fields)
There are four fields. Each field has its own vision for the human resources it wishes todevelop (See Appendix Table 1)
I: Creating the Future of Asia, II: Information and AI, III: Quantum Science, IV: Materials
Points to Note
- When applying, you can select up to your third choice.

3.

Number of applicants to be accepted
AY2023 (2nd Recruitment)

AY2024 (1st Recruitment)

Creating the Future of Asia

Approximately 15

Approximately 13

Information and AI

Approximately 15

Approximately 13

Quantum Science

Approximately 10

Approximately 6

Materials

Approximately 10

Approximately 7* The number of applicants to be accepted in each field is a rough estimate.
4.

Application Qualifications
Applicants to the Fellowship must be persons who meet (1) – (3) below (includinginternational students).
For AY2023 2nd Recruitment
Doctoral Course—Expected to enroll in April or October 2023
Doctoral Course in Medicine—Scheduled second-year student in April or October 2023

For AY2024 1st Recruitment
Doctoral Course—Expected to enroll in April 2024
Doctoral Course in Medicine—Scheduled second-year student in April 2024
Enrollment Required

For AY2023 2nd Recruitment
Those who wish to enter Nagoya University’s Doctoral Course or Doctoral Course in
Medicine and who enter the Doctoral Course (or second year of the Doctoral Course in
Medicine) in April or October 2023
For AY2024 1st Recruitment
Individuals who wish to enroll Nagoya University’s Doctoral Course or Doctoral Course
in Medicine and who enrolled in the Doctoral Course (or second year of the Doctoral Course
in Medicine) in April 2024

An individual who does not fall under any of the following at the time of admission to theDoctoral Course (or second year in the case of the Doctoral Course in Medicine)(i)

A student who is deemed to be receiving stable income from their university orcompany, such as a salary or executive remuneration, at a level sufficient to cover living

expenses (approximately 2.4 million yen/year)(ii) International student receiving the Monbukagakusho Scholarship(iii) International student receiving scholarships from their home country(iv) An individual in the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s Research Fellowshipfor Young Scientists*If you are offered a position in a project (2) to (4) above, you must withdraw from this
Fellowship (The Nagoya University Interdisciplinary Frontier Fellowship).
An individual who has not applied for the THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next
Generation Researcher (AY2023 2nd Recruitment or AY2024 1st Recruitment)

Points to Note
- If you plan to receive support from another organizations during the support period of theProgram, check with the office of the scholarship or the academic affairs officer of thegraduate school to which you belong whether or not you can receive both.
- This recruitment is related to the Fellowship, and in order to receive the support from theFellowship and enroll in Nagoya University, you must pass the entrance examination
separately conducted by each graduate school.
-

If you do not enroll or advance to the Doctoral Course (or advance to the 2nd year in the
Doctoral Course in Medicine) at the time you selected when you input application
information registration, qualification to receive the support under the Program will bedisqualified.

5.

Fellowship Grant (hereinafter referred to as the “Grant”)
Fellows receive the following financial grants:
Research support grant: ¥180,000 per month

In principle, the grant is transferred to the individual’s account by the end of each month.
As this income is classified as miscellaneous income, a tax return* is required every
year.
* International students may not be required to file a tax return by following tax treaty
procedures.
Research expenses ¥250,000 annually

The University manages research expenses. Expenditures will be made in accordancewith the University’s accounting procedures and each Fellow’s research plan.
*The University may increase the amount of both (1) the research support grant and (2)research expenses if the recipient is selected as an Excellent Fellow/Researcher based onthe results of Annual Activity Evaluation, etc. conducted in the 1st or 2nd year of theDoctoral Course (or a year higher for the Doctor of Medicine Course student.)
Note 1: Annual Activity Evaluation (Doctoral Course Year 1: Review of Potential to complete thestandard term of study, planning status of international joint research and interdisciplinary
research, and confirmation of at least IELTS 5.5 or equivalent)
Note 2:

Annual Activity Evaluation 2 (Doctoral Course Year 2: Review of Potential to complete the standard termof study, implementation status of international joint research and interdisciplinary research, and confirmation of atleast IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (International students are required to pass at least Japanese Language Proficiency Test
N2 or equivalent in addition to holding English proficiency))

6.

Pay period
The research immersion support period is three years maximum. (However, the payment
period may be shortened if the payment suspension/stoppage requirement is met.)

7.

Application documents
Nagoya University Interdisciplinary Frontier Fellowship Application (Form 1)
Research Outline (Form 2)
Academic Advisor Evaluation (Form 3)
Application Outline Video (For details, see the attached “About Creating a Video”)

8.

Application process
For details, refer to separate Nagoya University interdisciplinary Frontier Fellowship/
THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher Application Guidelines tocheck how to apply.

Application Information Registration Period: from January 23 (Mon) to 14:00, February 6 (Mon) 2023

Upload Application Document Period: from February 2 (Thu) to 14:00, February 14 (Tue) 2023

9.

Screening and results
Screening

We will conduct a 1st screening (document and video screening) and a 2nd screening(interview screening). However, depending on their 1st screening results, some
applicants who pass the 1st screening may be exempted from the 2nd screening and be
accepted based only on the 1st screening. The 2nd screening (interview screening) is
conducted for those who pass the 1st screening (document and video screening), except

for those who are exempted from the 2nd screening.
The screening will basically be conducted based on your first choice field, although thismay be changed to your second or third choice field, depending on the state ofapplications.
Points to Note
- The 2nd screening (interview screening) will be conducted on the following dates andtimes. Note that we cannot accept any requests for a specific date and time.
- Interviewees will be notified in the same manner as in “(3) Notification of results”,“Notification methods”.

Interview screening dates:
Field
Creating the Futureof Asia
Information/AI
Quantum Science
Materials

Interview Dates
Thursday, March 23 AM
Wednesday, March 29 AM
Tuesday, March 28 PM
Friday, March 31 AM- Applicants will be notified about 2-3 days prior to the interview date.
- Conducted online
Screening policy

Evaluation items are as follows and will be evaluated based on individual factors. Refer tothe Attached Table 1 for the Screening criteria for each field.
(i)Applicants have the ability to conduct joint research with leading research institutions
and companies, including those overseas, or to conduct challenging research ininterdisciplinary research areas.

(ii) Applicants must be sufficiently expected to become capable doctoral human resourcesin the future.
(iii) Applicants must bring unique research methods, and research targets must be set
appropriately within the standard period of study.
(iv) Applicants must be clearly aware of their career path after obtaining their doctorate anddemonstrate the ability to cultivate the capabilities needed over the standard period ofstudy.
(v) Standard to be set in each field

Notification of results
Successful candidates will be notified as follows. Only successful candidates will be notified.

Notification of results: Thursday, April 13
Notification methods
Notification via the email address registered at the time of application.
10. Obligations of Fellows
As recipients of financial grants, Fellows are subject to the following obligations.
Submission of a report on research for the year and a research activity plan for the following
year and thereafter.
Interview with academic advisor, mentor or career counselor.
Application to the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s Research Fellowship for
Young Scientists
Undergo evaluation of activities each year.
Participation in lectures, training, seminars, etc. certified by subject fields (See Appendix
Table 1)
Training on the use of public funds and participation in research ethics education designatedby the University.
Registration of data on the implementation status of obligations in designated systems.
Cooperation with inquiries after the fellowship period.
Other matters required by the University.

11. Suspension of grant payments
Grant payments will be suspended if any of the following apply.
Withdrawal, expulsion, or transfer from the University.
Suspension from the University.
Poor academic performance.
Failure to report research results for each year.

Existence of a reason research grant payments are deemed no longer necessary
Application qualification (3) (i) - (iv) is met
Existence of facts other than (1) - (6) that are inappropriate for a recipient

12. Returning grant funds
If there are grant funds that were received despite the individual being ineligible due to thesuspension or stoppage of payment, the portion of the funds that were paid that the individual is
not eligible to receive must be returned to the University.

13. Obligation regarding cooperation with inquiries after the fellowship period
This system is operated with assistance from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,

Science and Technology’s University Fellowship Establishment Project for the Creation of
Science and Technology Innovation. Therefore, surveys may be conducted on participants’current employment status and so on in the 10 years following the end of this program.
Previous participants may be contacted even after the fellowship period has ended. If youraddress, place of employment, email address, and so on has changed, be sure to contact the
University’s point of contact (Doctoral Education Consortium).

Inquiries regarding the Interdisciplinary Frontier Fellowship
Education Planning Division, Education & International Affairs Department
Doctoral Education Consortium
Inquiry Form
https://dec.nagoya-u.ac.jp/inquiry/top

Attached Table 1
Creating the Future of Asia
Information and AI
Quantum Science
Materials
The fellowship will foster doctoral experts who will
The fellowship will foster doctoral experts in the
The fellowship will foster capable doctoral experts in
The fellowship will foster doctoral experts in thecreate future knowledge, implement it in society, and Information and AI field who will create future
the Quantum Science field who will play an active role Materials field who will be the driving force of material
play an active role globally. This fellowship will provide knowledge, implement it in society, and play an active globally. These experts will develop academic
innovation in Japan. These experts will acquire
opportunities and programs related to research androle globally. These experts will support, lead, andresearch that integrates a broad range of researchresearch skills to produce innovative products from a
education in the interdisciplinary frontier with students advance mobility field and medical fields of basic
levels, from mathematics and science that form thecomprehensive perspective covering basic theory and
The objectives of this fellowship and image of who aim to coexist with Asian countries, contribute to medicine, drug discovery, medical care, and precision theoretical basis of quantum science to the application application. They will develop an interdisciplinary
researchers to be fostered
SDGs, and build a prosperous and vibrant society.
prevention medicine. The experts will also contribute to of quantum devices using semiconductors.
frontier of materials science with other disciplines
a wide range of fields including humanity and social
such as electrical and electronic engineering,science, physics, mathematical sciences, andmachinery engineering, information, energy, biology,
agriculture.
medicine, and agriculture.

(1) Applicants must understand the purpose of the fellowship program, proactively participate in the program, and be willing to interact with students and researchers from other fields.
(2) Applicants must be sufficiently expected to become capable doctoral human resources in the future.
(3) Applicants must bring unique research methods and research topics must be set appropriately for three years.
(4) Applicants must be clearly aware of their career path after obtaining their doctorate and demonstrate the ability to cultivate the capabilities needed over the three years.
(5) Applicants should be interested in interdisciplinary (5) Applicants should propose and implement research (5) Applicants should intend to participate in academic (5) Applicants should be prepared to participate infrontier research and be concerned with Asia-related projects that use information and AI technology. The research that integrates a wide range of levels fromacademic research that integrates a broad range ofdevelopment such as coexistence with Asian
research fields include information and AI, mobility,
basic physics to applied research in the field of
research levels, from the basic theory that forms thecountries.
and such medical fields of basic medicine,quantum science. It is preferred that applicants have basis of quantum science to applied research.
pharmaceutical science, medical care, and precisionexperience in the above activities or have participated Applicants should propose an interdisciplinary
prevention medicine. Humanity and social science,in related programs.
research project. This fellowship field prefers
physics, mathematical sciences, and agriculture areapplicants who have experience related to theadditional applicable research fields.
research described above or have attended related
programs. Interdisciplinary research is highly valued inthis program.

Screening criteria[1] Annual Activity Evaluations[Screening items: Degree completion within the standard period of study/Interdisciplinary research & international joint research/Language ability]
Lectures, training, seminars, etc. common to[2] University-sponsored research presentation meeting with invited visitors from outside corporations, etc. (Participation more than once during D1 and D2 years.)[4] “Interdisciplinary
all fields[3] Interaction with mentors etc for career development. (Details will be annouced later.)[Required]*For a four-year doctoral course, the year listed is one year higher.[1] University-sponsored research presentation meeting with invited visitors from outside corporations, etc. (Participation more than once during D1 and D2
years.)[1] A course on programming offered by a graduate[1] University-sponsored research presentations that
Lectures, training, seminars, etc., in theschool or WISE program
create cross-departmental collaborative researchsubject field[Required]
Creating the Future of Asia

Information and AI

Quantum Science

Materials*Students must select one of the following*Students must select one of the following*Students must select one of the following*Students must select one of the following
options and obtain at least 30 FPs while
Maximum options and obtain at least 30 FPs while
Maximum options and obtain at least 30 FPs while
Maximum options and obtain at least 30 FPs while
Maximumenrolled in a graduate school (by the end FP
enrolled in a graduate school (by the end FP
enrolled in a graduate school (by the end FP
enrolled in a graduate school (by the end FP
of the fellowship).
of the fellowship).
of the fellowship).
of the fellowship).
Maximum FP: While students may obtain more FP
points than the maximum FP, only the maximum FP
will be counted as the total FP.

Maximum FP: While students may obtain more FP
points than the maximum FP, only the maximum FP
will be counted as the total FP.

Maximum FP: While students may obtain more FP
points than the maximum FP, only the maximum FP
will be counted as the total FP.

Maximum FP: While students may obtain more FP
points than the maximum FP, only the maximum FP
will be counted as the total FP.

Seminars, etc.

[1] Participation in transferable skills
training, language training, career pathseminars, interdisciplinary researchseminars, graduate student planningseminars, etc.

8FP

[1] Participation in transferable skills
training, language training, career pathseminars, interdisciplinary researchseminars, graduate student planningseminars, etc.

8FP

[1] Participation in transferable skills
training, language training, career pathseminars, interdisciplinary researchseminars, graduate student planningseminars, etc.

6FP

[1] Participation in transferable skills
training, language training, career pathseminars, interdisciplinary researchseminars, graduate student planningseminars, etc.

9FP

Internships[2] Internships (internships at companies,
international organizations, research
institutes, etc., in Japan and overseas)

24FP[2] Internships (internships at companies,
international organizations, research
institutes, etc., in Japan and overseas)

24FP[2] Internships (internships at companies,
international organizations, research
institutes, etc., in Japan and overseas)

24FP[2] Internships (internships at companies,
international organizations, research
institutes, etc., in Japan and overseas)

24FP

16FP

[3] Research programs abroad (training
and short-term study abroad)

8FP[3] Research programs abroad (training
and short-term study abroad)

12FP[3] Research programs abroad (training
and short-term study abroad)

12FP

14FP

[4] Presentations at international
conferences and symposiums
Publication in international journals

6FP[4] Presentations at international
conferences and symposiums

6FP[4] Presentations at international
conferences and symposiums
Awarded research prizes

6FP[3] Research programs abroad (training
Lectures, training, seminars, Study abroad, etc.
and short-term study abroad)etc. approved by the subject
Research
field[4] Presentations at internationalpresentations,[Required elective]
conferences and symposiums
awards, etc.
(Fellow point*: FP)
Student teamexperiences[5] Student team projects (graduate
student seminar planning,
8FP
entrepreneurship experiences, participationin business contests, etc.)[5] Student team projects (graduate
student seminar planning,
8FP
entrepreneurship experiences, participationin business contests, etc.)[5] Student team projects (graduate
student seminar planning,
8FP
entrepreneurship experiences, participationin business contests, etc.)[5] Student team projects (graduate
student seminar planning,
8FP
entrepreneurship experiences, participationin business contests, etc.)

Joint research,
interdisciplinary
research, etc.

[6] Joint research and interdisciplinary
research (joint application for researchfunding), participation in industry-academia
24FP
collaborative courses and designated joint
research (conducted in consultation withacademic advisors)[6] Joint research and interdisciplinary
research (joint application for researchfunding), participation in industry-academia
24FP
collaborative courses and designated joint
research (conducted in consultation withacademic advisors)[6] Joint research and interdisciplinary
research (joint application for researchfunding), participation in industry-academia
24FP
collaborative courses and designated joint
research (conducted in consultation withacademic advisors)[6] Joint research and interdisciplinary
research (joint application for researchfunding), participation in industry-academia
24FP
collaborative courses and designated joint
research (conducted in consultation withacademic advisors)[7] Participation in short-term workshops
on identifying social issues,interdisciplinary training, etc.

[7] Participation in short-term workshops
on identifying social issues,interdisciplinary training, etc.

[7] Participation in short-term workshops
on identifying social issues,interdisciplinary training, etc.

Participation in[7] Participation in short-term workshops
short-term
on identifying social issues,
workshops (training
interdisciplinary training, etc.
retreats, etc.)

8FP

Activities organized [8] DEC's hands-on activities (seminars by
10FP
by DECDEC are not included in this category.)

8FP[8] DEC's hands-on activities (seminars by
10FP
DEC are not included in this category.)

12FP[8] DEC's hands-on activities (seminars by
10FP
DEC are not included in this category.)

12FP[8] DEC's hands-on activities (seminars by
10FP
DEC are not included in this category.)