Q&A about IGP (International Graduate Program), Graduate School of Life Science,
Hokkaido University
Oct. 1. 2022

Who is eligible for this program?
This program is for students who wish to enroll in the Graduate School of Life Sciences, one of the graduate
schools (master's and doctoral programs) at Hokkaido University.
Students who wish to attend other universities or graduate schools are not eligible for this program.

What fields of study are available at the Graduate School of Life Sciences at Hokkaido University?
Life science is a very broad field of study.
We have professors in a wide range of biological fields, including biochemistry, molecular biology, cellbiology, developmental biology, and ecology.
We also have laboratories with professors specializing in organic chemistry, materials science,bioinformatics, and pharmacology.
Our graduate school is unique in that we have a wide range of laboratories, from basic to applied.
So, anyway, first of all, look for laboratories that interest you in brochures and websites.
If you are excellent and really interested in research in that laboratory, there is no problem to change yourresearch field from the one you have been studying.

What is the application process for this program?
In both master's and doctoral programs, graduate study in Japan is centered on pursuing one's own research
project under the guidance of a professor in a laboratory.
Therefore, anyway, it is important to first find and contact a professor in a laboratory who is willing toaccept you.

How do I contact a professor in a laboratory?
First, check their brochures and Web sites to find a lab that you would like to study.
Next, send an e-mail to inquire about the possibility of accepting you.
All professors are extremely busy.
It is very important that your inquiry email be polite.
Attach your CV, research history, and transcripts, which will be important documents for the professor tojudge you by.
In addition, after properly reading the professor's papers and materials, you should carefully write an e-mailexplaining why you would like to do research in his/her laboratory.

Is it important to submit a research proposal at the time of initial contact?
In many cases, it is not very important.
In Japanese graduate programs in the sciences, it is common for professors to make decisions about research
projects. It will be more important to be able to design an experimental design with the research content
specified by the professor rather than your proposed research project.
After making contact, it is common for you to submit a research plan in the research area specified by theprofessor in order to confirm your research ability.

What kind of support will I receive with this program scholarship?
Special scholarship slots are available for this program.
The scholarship covers all travel, living, and tuition expenses to Japan.
Treatment will be as a Japanese Government (MEXT, Monbukagakusho) Scholarship student, which is avery substantial scholarship.
There are several other scholarships available, and if the professor you wish to accept decides that you are
a truly outstanding student, he or she may refer you to them.

How can I apply for the program and what are the admissions procedures?
As already mentioned, in Japanese graduate schools of science, research guidance from professors is themain focus. Therefore, in addition to submitting general transcripts, the admission examination is also
centered on writing a research plan and taking questions in an interview via the Internet, in accordancewith the professor's instructions.
In any case, the first step is to inquire with the professors who may accept you.

I have not received a reply from the professor of my choice.
Japanese professors are busy and may have overlooked your e-mail.
If it is not rude, it may be effective to send repeated polite e-mails.

IGP Web site
https://altair.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/grad/igpoverview/