UEC Doctor Course Student Support Program
Application Guidelines for Next-Generation Researchersfor 2024, April

1. Objectives of this program
The University of Electro-Communications (hereinafter referred to as "the University") has been
selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (hereinafter referred to as "JST") for the Next
Generation Researcher Challenge Research Program. In order to strengthen the support for aspiringdoctoral students, we will hire excellent doctoral students as the next generation of researchers at
the university, and develop distinctive doctoral human resources by 1) building a unique networkof researchers, 2) fostering development skills that will lead to products that demonstrate originality,and 3) learning Asian languages so that the students can move on to research in their own specializedfields.
The next generation researchers will be provided with "living expense equivalent" and "researchexpense equivalent".

2. Application Requirements
The following students are eligible to apply:(1) Those scheduled to enroll in the doctoral program at our university in April 2024.
(2) Those who enrolled in the doctoral program at our university in April 2023.
(3) Those who enrolled in the doctoral program at our university in October 2023.
(4) Those who enrolled in the doctoral program at our university in October 2022.
However, those who fall under any of the following after April 1, 2024 are not eligible to apply.
(a) Special Researcher (DC1) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)(b) Foreign students at national expense(c) Foreign students sent by foreign governments(d) Those who receive a stable income (2.4 million yen or more per year) such as a salary that is
sufficient to cover living expenses from their company, etc.
(e) Students on leave of absence(f) Those who have applied for the long-term course system

3. Number of students employed
16 people in total for application qualifications (1), (2), (3), and (4).

4. Period of Employment
Application eligibility(1) From April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027
(2) From April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026
(3) From April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026
(4) From April 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025

5. Support contents(1) Amount equivalent to living expenses
Next-generation researchers will receive 183,750 yen per month (2,205,000 yen per year) as
a living expense allowance.
Attention 1）Income Tax and Resident Tax
The amount equivalent to living expenses is treated as miscellaneous income under the tax
law and is subject to income tax and inhabitant tax, so each student is required to file a tax
return.
Specifically, the amount of living expenses for the period from January 1 to December 31,
after deducting tuition fees and other necessary expenses for commuting and teachingmaterials, etc., is taxable as miscellaneous income. The amount of taxable income for thefollowing year is calculated according to the total amount of other income such as
employment income ("total income").
In addition, if you are a dependent of your parents, etc. under the tax law, you will not be able
to receive the exemption for dependents if your total income exceeds 480,000 yen.
Attention 2）Loss of Dependent Requirement for Health Insurance
In the case that the next generation researcher is a dependent of his/her parents' healthinsurance or mutual aid association, if the estimated annual amount of his/her constant income
including living expenses becomes 1.3 million yen or more, he/she will no longer be required
to be a dependent of his/her parents. (Please also contact the person in charge at your parent'sworkplace, etc.)
If you no longer meet the requirements for dependents, you will need to join the National
Health Insurance system yourself.
Attention 3）Payment of National Pension Insurance Premiums
If your income is below a certain level, you can apply for the "Special Student Payment
System" to defer the payment of National Pension Insurance premiums while you are inschool.
(2) Research expense equivalent
Based on the budget application to be submitted separately after the hiring of the next
generation researcher, the allocation will be within the range of 1.2 million yen per fiscal year.
・Expenses for the development of recurrent/reskilling education tools
・Expenses required for the development of short-term joint research projects.
・Challenging research expenses (for research aimed at the development of one's own research)

6. Application Documents(1) Next Generation Researcher Application Form
1. Name, date of birth, address and contact information, name of major, name of primarysupervisor, and other information
2. Proposal for short-term joint research assuming a research institute in Japan.
3. Proposals for recurrent education tools for researchers and engineers
4. Proposals for launching venture company.
※The application form should include (a) a proposed research plan at a research institution
in the Tama area that is different from the research field in which you specialize, and (b)a proposed educational program that can be used for re-education for working people that
demonstrates originality in a field in which you specialize or in which you can utilize yourskills.
Short-term joint research will be conducted at the following five research institutes in theTama area, for example. It is also possible to make proposals to other research institutes.
1. National Institute of Polar Research click
2. National Astronomical Observatory of Japan click
3. National Institute of Information and Communications Technology click
4. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency click
5. NTT Science and Core Technology Laboratory Group click(2) Written oath (oath of compliance)
Please read the compliance statement carefully before signing.

7. Application period and how to submit application documents
Application period: March 25 (Monday), 2024 - April 5 (Friday), 5:00 p.m, 2024.

Application documents must be submitted (uploaded) from the dedicated website by 5:00 p.m.
on Friday, April 5, 2024.
The dedicated upload site will be announced below. Please check this page for more information.
http://gt_ils.ils.uec.ac.jp/UEC_Jisedai/english/index_eng.html

8. Student selection process
The selection of students will be based on a written review by a panel of judges consisting ofcollaborators from industry and external research institutions participating in this project.
Depending on the results of the written screening, an interview may be conducted. In the case of
an interview, the date and time of the interview will be notified to the applicant by e-mail.

9. Selection Policy
In particular, the following are the main considerations in the selection process.
(1) For short-term joint research project proposals, the first selection criterion is whether theproject can be launched in a short period of time (six months) and whether the acceptability ofthe partner institution is taken into consideration.
The second evaluation point is whether or not the student is willing to take on the challenge of
research in a different field. On the other hand, we do not strongly seek detailed matching withpartner researchers.
The purpose of this program is for students to build their own researcher network by producing
and completing some kind of development results with researchers from the partner institutions
in six months. For this reason, proposals that are expected to take a long time to complete will
not be evaluated.
(2) Originality is the most important aspect to be evaluated in the recurrent/reskilling education
tool development proposals. In particular, since the screening committee is composed ofresearchers and engineers mainly from the industrial world, proposals that are effective in
educating working adults will be highly evaluated.
(3) For venture proposals, we evaluate feasibility, originality of the idea, matching with needs,
etc.

10．Notification of selection results
The results of the selection process will be announced via e-mail around early to mid-May 2024.

11. Payment of living expenses and use of research funds

The amount equivalent to living expenses will be paid monthly by transfer to the accountdesignated by the Next Generation Researcher.
Research expenses are managed by the budget supervisor. Next-generation researchers should
request the amount approved by the budget application for the purchase of goods and travel
expenses through the Ph.D Students Support Office.

12．Duties of Next Generation Researchers
Students who are selected as Next Generation Researchers have the following obligations.
(1) You must devote yourself to research based on the research plan you have applied for.
(2) Attendance at three programs: Short-term Joint Research Project Development, Recurrent
Education Tool Development for Researchers and Engineers, and Asian Language Learning
Program.
(3) A research status report for each year must be submitted by the prescribed time.
(4) You must participate in social events, workshops, etc. designated by the university for thepurpose of improving your research ability and obtaining a career path as a researcher.
(5) Comply with university regulations regarding research misconduct and misuse of researchfunds.
(6) Research ethics training APRIN e-learning program (eAPRIN) must be taken(7) To cooperate with the monitoring survey by JST and the follow-up survey after completionof the graduate school doctoral program.

13．Cancellation of employment
In any of the following cases, the employment as a Next Generation Researcher must be cancelled
or rescinded, or the support period must be terminated, and, if necessary, the amount equivalent to
the living expenses and research expenses already paid must be returned.
(1) If, after being selected for employment, you will receive a research fellowship from the Japan
Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), a scholarship from the Japanese Government
Scholarship Program for International Students, or a scholarship provided by a foreign
government.
(2) If, after being selected for employment, you will receive a salary or other stable income (2.4
million yen or more per year) from a company or other organization sufficient to cover livingexpenses.
(3) When it is clear that the research cannot be continued due to illness, etc.
(4) In the case of a leave of absence from the University (except when it does not interfere withthe research plan).
(5) Withdrawal from the University (including expulsion).

(6) In case of disciplinary action.
(7) In the case of poor academic performance.
(8) If any falsehoods are found in the documents and other information provided in the various
procedures after the employment decision is made.
(9) Misconduct in research activities or misuse of research funds(10) When applying for the long-term course system(11) When any other violation of the duties of a Next Generation Researcher or unsuitable behavior
becomes apparent.

14. Publication of names
Those who are selected as Next Generation Researchers will have their names and otherinformation published on the university's website.

15．Handling of Personal Information
Personal information contained in the application documents will be strictly managed inaccordance with the "Personal Information Protection Rules of the University of ElectroCommunications" and will be used only for the purpose of carrying out the work of the Universityof Electro-Communications Doctoral Course Student Support Project. In addition, part of thepersonal information will be used for the monitoring survey by JST and the follow-up survey after
the completion of the graduate school doctoral program.

16．Contact information
Ph.D Students Support OfficeE-mail: jisedai@office.uec.ac.jp
Phone: 042-443-5881