Guidelines to TUMUG & Next Generation Support Programs
Tohoku University announced its “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Promotion Declaration” – working
towards diversity and equity in education, research and an inclusive work environment in April 2022, andenforced gender equality and DEI promotion. As a part of the DEI initiative program, we support work-lifebalance, coordinate policies and environments, develop female leaders and young researchers, and increase aratio of female faculty in the current academic positions and in the senior positions.
Please review the application guidelines for each program carefully because each program has different eligibility
and requirements. You need to submit your application form through your department. Thank you for yourinterest and attention. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Program Outline/ Objectives
Tohoku University has been promoting gender equality, but as of May 2023, the percentage of female academic
staff stayed at 16.7%*1 and the one of women in professorial positions was 8.0%*1. Both ratios were very low
compared with other academic institutions in Japan. Recognizing the need to increase these numbers, wedetermine to help female faculty/staff members for balancing their work and family life (childbirth, child/otherfamily member care) to continue their research/work. In addition, we want to support them to become researchleaders nationally and internationally.
The aim of this project is not merely to provide support, but to encourage researchers who use the program tomove up and become role models for their peers and the next generation, and to participate actively in theprograms for promoting gender equality and empowering women in research.
(*1 Except the employees who use the Cross-appointment System)
General Program Rules
1． To apply for the Research Support Staff Program or the Tohoku University Science Ambassadors Program,submit your application to the administrative office of your department, and they will forward it to DEICenter, Tohoku University.*2 To apply for Childcare Assistance Program for hiring babysitters and otherchildcare services, Start-up Research Fund, Next Step Research Grant, or the Zonta Club of Sendai I
International Conference Scholarship, fill out a relevant Google form and directly submit it to DEI Center
along with all required documents (in PDF format) *3.
*2Check with your department about a deadline for each program.
*3The Google Form will be posted on the Center for Gender Equality Promotion's web page assoon as the call for applications opens. *2
2.
Before applying, discuss the matter carefully with a member of the academic staff in your research facility.
Participants in the programs are generally expected to formulate and implement a plan for how they will use
the support.
3.
Application forms can be downloaded from the center’s website.
https://dei.tohoku.ac.jp/support_program/4.
Before submitting your application, check it carefully to ensure that there are no omissions or errors. and all
supporting documents are attached (especially receipts). Please note that applications may be rejected asincomplete if there are omissions or errors.
5.
Any changes in the application after submission must be reported as follows. For Research Support Staff
Program or Tohoku University Science Ambassadors Program, notify to the administrative office of yourdepartment, and for Childcare Assistance Program, Start-up Research Fund, or Next Step Research Grant,
notify to DEI Center.
6.
If you are requested to submit other documents during the screening process or after selection, pleasesubmit them asap.
7.
Submitted application documents will not be returned. Your personal information (without identifying whoyou are) may be used for the center’s PR activities.
8.
You are required to submit a report (using a requested form) after using the program. Your report may beposted on the website of the DEI committee and the DEI Center.
9.
If there are multiple submissions from the same department, a recommendation ranking should besubmitted.
10. Awardees are encouraged to cooperate with the following types of requests regarding DEI (may be taken intoconsideration in the selection process):
Participation in symposiums and seminars, poster presentations, responding to questionnaires, writing
articles/comments for public-relations materials, and similar requests.

AY2024 Program Outline
Item

1-1

1-2

Work-life
balancesupportNurturingfemaleleaders

Program nameSummary of program(see each application guide for details)

Research Support Staff

Research Support Staff

Grant to cover cost of hiring research support staff(technical/clerical assistants, RA/AA)(Max. 2 million yen/year; actual amount based onreview of application and degree of necessity)

Persons eligible to apply
Male/female academic, andtechnical staff who are expectant
mothers, caring for children, or
providing family care, (include
PD/RPD/CPD)
Female academic and technicalstaff who will serve on a national
government council or holdother key position(include
PD/RPD/CPD)

Deadline(Be sure to checkdepartmental deadline)

Submitted via eachdepartment’s General Affairs
SectionFebruary 26, 2024

Submitted directly byapplicants.
1st period: July 26, 2024
2nd period: October 25, 2024
3rd period: January 24, 2025
4th period: April 1, 2025

2Work-lifebalance
supportChildcare Assistance
ProgramFee assistance for hiring babysitters or other childcaregivers while engaged in research, lecturing or
traveling

Male/female academic andadministrative staff and doctoral
students who are caring forchildren(include PD/RPD/CPD)

3

Nurturingfemaleleaders

Start-up Research Fund

Research grant of up to 1 million yen in the first year

Newly appointed female
academic staff (assistantprofessor and above)

Submitted directly byapplicants.
July 5, 2024

Next Step Research Grant

Grant to support new research projects without otherexternal funding, and research expenses* necessary
for gathering data and publishing research results(max. 500,000 yen/year, 150,000 yen/year)*Expenses directly required for conducting researchand publishing research results, such as travel costs,
meeting registration fees, equipment/supply costs,
honoraria, English proofreading fees, etc.

Female academic staff (associateprofessor, senior assistantprofessor, assistant professor,
research associate) (includePD/RPD/CPD)

Submitted directly byapplicants
1st period: May 10, 2024
2nd period: early September
2024

Female grad students (including
those self-identifying as female)

Submitted via eachdepartment’s General Affairs
Section
1st period: March 1,2024
2nd period: April 26, 2024

4

Nurturingfemaleleaders

5

Nurturing
next
generation

Tohoku University Science
Ambassadors

Planning and implementation of seminars for highschools, etc., open campus days and science events

6

Nurturing
next
generation

Zonta Club of Sendai I
financial assistance foroverseas academicpresentations by Tohoku
University female gradstudents

Funds to help offset the cost of attending overseas
conferences, symposiums, etc. where the applicant will
give a presentation (The amount of the scholarshipwill be notified when the application is open.)

Female grad students

1st term: around at the end ofApril
2nd term: around at the end ofOctober7

Nurturing
next
generation

TU-UW Academic OpenSpace. (AOS)
DEI Exchange Program

Enforcing DEI in education and research

Graduate Students who are doing
research related to DEI.(Only forhumanities/social science majors)

Will be notified when it’sdetermined.