May, 2024
Next-Generation AI Human Resource Development Program（Students in the Doctoral Program）
Application Guideline [AY2024]
Our university has been selected for Broadening Opportunities for Outstanding young researchersand doctoral students in Strategic areas (BOOST) Next-Generation AI Human Resource
Development Program (Students in the Doctoral Program) by the Japan Science and Technology
Agency (JST), a national research and development agency. From the academic year 2024, we will
provide financial support in the form of grants (living expenses and research expenses, hereinafterreferred to as "research incentive funds, etc.") to outstanding doctoral program students who arecommitted to engaging in research and development contributing to the next-generation AI field.
The overview of this project is as follows, and this document outlines the necessary details for theadoption of this project for the academic year 2024.
Purpose of the Project・Supporting PhD students to devote themselves to unrestricted, challenging andinterdisciplinary research projects

・By providing funds equivalent to living expenses, we aim to create an environment wherestudents can fully dedicate themselves to their research, thereby nurturing researcherswith advanced expertise and research capabilities in the next-generation AI field.

・Assisting promising students to become doctorate degree holders who are ready for avariety of diverse and important careers
The Universityʻs Commitment to the Project

<Project Title >「学際的次世代 AI イノベーション⼈材育成プロジェクト」
Interdisciplinary Next-Generation AI Innovation Human Resource Development Project・Project Officer
Suzuki Kenji – Professor, Institute of Systems and Information EngineeringProject Period
From AY2024 to AY2028*

1. Applicants, number of hires, application period:(1-1) Application Category ACourseTarget

Numberofhires

Employment period

neededDoctoral Program ( 区2024/4

From分制の博⼠後期課程)

1rst year enrollees

AY2027 (3 years)

3rd year of PhD course

2024/4（3 年制博⼠課程)

1rst year enrollees

Enrolledinthe2024/4

Doctoral Course ⼀ 貫

3rd year

制 博 ⼠ 課 程 (Medicaladmitted/transferred

Sciences not included)

students

AY2024

to12 students

Or Students who havepassed the mid-term
exams etc., and who
have 3 years left intheir period of study.
＊To continue this program, a new application will be reviewed each year. Even if the studentʼs periodof study is extended due to a leave absence, etc., the program period will not change.
Foreign students, who are not able to come in Japan yet, can apply as well. However, if after being
selected, you are not in Japan by the time the payments start, your application will be cancelled.
(1-2) Required Documents①Research Plan for Students Eligible for Research Incentive Funds[Note]
When you write a plan, please include either of the following:(a) How can your research theme contribute to the SDGs (*United Nations Development Programme)(b) How can your research theme contribute to future society in the next 30 or 50 years.
②Next-Generation AI Human Resource Development Program application content file
＊Please provide descriptions regarding "Research Plan," "Compliance with Human Rights Protection
and Legal Compliance," "Self-analysis of Research Execution Capability," and "Aspired Researcher
Profile," using the format based on the Special Research Fellow (DC) Application (Application ContentFile) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
③For those who were enrolled in the University with the Special Selection of Working Individuals,
those who were employed at the time of admission, and those who are in “the early completion
program for working people”, please attach some form of documentation showing the income earned
during the previous year such as the tax withholding slip (源泉徴収票) etc.

2. Students who are not eligible (no matter the category)Those who apply to the following conditions are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply for this project in2024:①

The research fellows of the program “Research Fellowship for Young Scientists” (Japan Societyfor the Promotion of Science)②

The recipients of MEXT Scholarship③

The recipients of the scholarship granted by the government of their home countries④

The recipient of the support granted by WISE Program (Doctoral Program for World-leading
Innovative & Smart Education)⑤

Those who have received a sufficient level of scholarship (more than 2.4 million yen/year)
related to living expenses.

⑥

Those who work for a company (TA, RA, part-time jobs excluded) and receive a sufficient andstable level of income for living expenses (more than 2.4 million yen/year)⑦

Those who are on “Leave of Absence” as of April 2024⑧

Individuals who are enrolled beyond the standard period of study

3. Application Requirements
・Students conducting research contributing to the field of AI and emerging/converging areas
within the AI field (next-generation AI field)

・Highly motivated students who are keen on developing their career path・To actively engage in innovative and interdisciplinary educational research by conducting studies
that contribute to the achievement of SDGs and the creation of scientific and technologicalinnovations.

・Those who will try to interact with companies or making chances to work in various fields by:-Participating in long term internship / Working as research staff-Participating in social events such as company networking events, or gatherings for PhDstudents-Having some experience abroad such as through study-abroad or other experience

4. Fellowship Amount

3.9 million yen (2.4 million yen for living, 1.5 million yen for research)[Note]＊The amount of the Research Fellowship is subject to change depending on JSTʼs budget
availability.

5. Where / How to Submit
Submit through “u-Rad a management system for internal grants” after logging in using theuniversity's unified authentication ID.
https://u-rad.sec.tsukuba.ac.jp【筑波⼤学】2024 年度春 次世代研究者挑戦的研究プログラム Spring AY 2024.Support for PioneeringResearch Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING)
https://u-rad.sec.tsukuba.ac.jp/login/index.php?support_id=fgOr2jv0fivfvGamlVKnKA%3D%3D* Applications are being accepted simultaneously for Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by
the Next Generation (SPRING), but you cannot be selected for both.
Submit the application form as a PDF data (the file name: application category A, student ID number,name, degree program name").
6. Application Deadline
5:00 p.m. (17:00), June 7 (Fri.), 2024 *Late applications cannot be accepted.
7. Recipient Tasks(1) Mandatory Tasks
・

Taking the online course “APRIN e-learning program (eAPRIN)”(Selected students will be notified separately on how to attend)・Submitting the reports: “Research Progress Report” and “Final Reports”

・Participate in the research presentation hosted by the Program・

Submitting the pledge to agree with sharing your email address with the JST・

The University is expected to report follow-up of the recipients for more than 10 years, soeveryone must register with "JGRAD".

・

Register on the matching system for the Cooperative education through research internships.

・Register for “PhD x FUTURE.”, a matching system for young researchers.

・Acquire more than one credit in the Graduate General Education Courses Program(2) Tasks to be implemented as far as possible
To develop your career path proactively, please implement the following tasks as far as possible:・

Studying abroad (or some overseas experiences equivalent to studying abroad)・Participating in the intercultural event that involves 1 to 2 weeks-overnight stays (that willbe) conducted by the University

・Participating in long term internship / Working as research staff

・Participating in social gatherings of recipients conducted by JST・

Participating actively in events / activities offered by the Project Officer of the University

8. Revocation of Fellowship
In the event that the Project Officer judges that the recipient meets one of the conditions described
below, guidance on improvement will be provided. Should they fail to display any improvement, thefellowship grant will be discontinued.
- Not accomplish the assigned tasks- Not proceeding / working as plannedIn cases such as a false application or research misconduct, the approval will be revoked and therecipient will have to return the whole amount of the fellowship already paid.
9. Others(1) All recipients have the duty of giving their recent reports. The University is expected toreport follow-up of the recipients for more than 10 years.
(2) The selection results (the recipient of fellowship) will be disclosed on the University website.
(3) The grant for living expenses, a part of the fellow ship, will be considered miscellaneous
income. Therefore, it will be necessary to declare it in the following year.
[References](1)

Income Tax (Allowance for Dependents)
A tax allowance per each dependent is granted to the taxpayer who has dependent family. If the dependent
memberʼs income (January to December) exceeds JPY 480 000, the tax allowance cannot be taken in thefollowing year. In addition, the residence tax of the following year will be calculated according to the income of theyear(2)

Health Insurance – Family Membership
The annual income of a dependent family member must be less than JPY 1.3 million. Since the living allowance isconsidered income, the recipients will need to join the National Health Insurance (国⺠健康保険) themselves.

(3)

Tuition Fee Exemption
The major factors of selection are usually finance and the applicantsʼ family structure. Depending on theapplicantʼs incomes (including the fellowships), the waiver may not be granted.

10. Contact information
Division of Student Welfare, Department of Student Affairs, University of Tsukuba
E-mail: gk.jst-spring@un.tsukuba.ac.jp