August 2, 2024

Application Guidelines
SGC-NEXUS Program- Next Generation Researcher Development Program at Nara Women's UniversityFor Prospective Students Enrolled in October 2024（A）
For Students of all grades（B）
Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences,
Nara Women's University
Next Generation Researcher Development
Program SGC-NEXUS Committee,
Nara Women's University

１．Overview
Nara Women's University has been selected as an implementing institution for the Japan
Science and Technology Agency's (JST) "Next-Generation Researchers Challenging Research
Program (New SPRING)" starting from April 2024. In response, we have established the "SGCNEXUS." as a succession of the previous "SGC" and "SGC+" initiatives program. The aim of thisprogram is to establish a framework where competent female students can pursue research in
the doctoral program without bearing excessive financial burdens or facing uncertainties about
their career paths after obtaining their degrees.
The SGC-NEXUS program entails a comprehensive plan for a three-year standard study period(or within the applied study period for long-term students) to obtain a doctoral degree. The planincludes provisions for enhancing research capabilities and facilitating a smooth transition to
post-degree careers, incorporating activities such as overseas assignments and internships inbusiness institutions. Applicants are expected to carefully plan their research plan and devote
themselves to self-improvement in consultation with their main and co-supervisors to ensure thatthe above objectives are achievable. Furthermore, we earnestly request the continued dedicationof the supervising faculty in providing additional support for the attainment of degrees within thespecified academic period.
Aligned with the university's educational and research philosophy of "cultivating female talents
leading to a gender-equal society," we aim to nurture female talents capable of making proactive
judgments, taking actions, and addressing and tackling with problems without apparent answers
through the deepening of expertise and the cultivation of comprehensive knowledge. As an
extension of this philosophy, we anticipate that the women enrolled in the SGC-NEXUS program
will shatter the "glass ceiling" and connect with others as leaders in society.
In accordance with these principles, we here announce the recruitment details and call forcandidates who join the SGC-NEXUS program as outlined below.

２．Application period
Thursday, September 5, 2024 ～ Tuesday, September 10, 2024

*due by 12:00pm

３．Number of candidates（A）New recruitment
Prospective students in October 2024：1student
Support from October 2024 to September 2027【longest period】

1

（B）Filling vacancies：1student
Support from October 2024 to March 2026【longest period】
However, regardless of the above, the maximum period of support is up to thestandard period of study.
* The standard period of study refers to three years from enrollment. If there isa leave of absence within the standard period of study, the leave of absence
period is not included in the three-year period, but the total period of leave ofabsence is limited to two years.

４．Application and eligibility(A)Prospective students who are scheduled to enroll in the doctoral program of ourgraduate school in October 2024 and have received confirmation (including theplans) from the prospective primary academic advisor regarding their application.
(B) Students who enroll in the doctoral program of our graduate school and havereceived confirmation from the prospective primary academic advisor regarding
their application. The support period is up to the standard period of study.
Examples of eligible individuals*1:
 Students who are not employed in a job with regular income and can obtain a degree within
the standard study period (including those with work experience) Working professionals with an annual income less than 2.4 million yen*2,*3
 Long-term research students (support is provided until the end of D3)
 Self-funded international students not receiving support such as scholarships from theirhome country
Examples of individuals not eligible*1:
・ Individuals on a leave of absence during the period of receiving support
・ Those who have been enrolled in the doctoral program for more than three years
・ Those who have obtained a scholarship at a sufficient level for living expenses (more than
2.4 million yen per year).*3
・ Those who receive a stable income, including salaries, executive compensation, etc., at asufficient level (more than 2.4 million yen per year) as an equivalent amount for living
expenses from universities, companies, etc.*3
 Government-sponsored international students and foreign students receiving support suchas scholarships from their home countries
・ Special research fellows of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
If an individual falls into any of the above "Examples of individuals not eligible" during
the period of receiving support, they shall lose eligibility for the support.
*1…For further details, please contact the office.
*2…Working professionals refer to individuals with regular income and homemakers.
*3…The 2.4 million yen is the total amount paid including income tax, social insurance
premiums, overtime pay, bonuses, etc.
*The duplication with tuition exemptions is allowed. Part-time employment (including RA/TA,etc.) within a range that does not interfere with research activities is also permitted. Parttime income does not qualify as stable or fixed income.
* If accepted, you will no longer be eligible for exemption from repayment of scholarships
based on outstanding achievements from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO).

2

５．The obligations of SGC-NEXUS grant recipients
1) Submission of current status report
Submit and receive evaluations on the progress of research activities every semester.
2) Enrollment in courses related to SGC-NEXUS
By the completion of the second year of the doctoral program, students are required to takeat least one credit from the common courses of the doctoral program, including 'Self-Analysis
and Work Style Seminars A and B,' 'Career Seminars (Business Skills, Internship, etc.) A andB,' 'Design and Programming of Information Systems,' and 'Fundamentals of StatisticalAnalysis.'3) Meeting with the mentor team
Attend regular meetings with the mentor team every semester.
4) Presentation of research outcomes
Conduct public presentations of research outcomes by the end of the funding period.
5) Participation in the planning of SGC-NEXUS initiatives
Actively engage in initiatives implemented by this program, such as internships, overseas
dispatch, and research exchange events.
6) Response to career path survey
For 10 years after the end of support, please respond to the career tracking survey.
Note that the fulfillment status of the above obligation terms will be confirmed and examinedby the Nara Women's University Doctoral Degree Support SGC-NEXUS Operation
Committee. If any term of the obligations turns out to be violated, the recipient will beconsidered to have lost eligibility for financial support, and a replacement will be sought
through a new recruitment process.

６．Grant amount and details
If the application is accepted, a research incentive grant of 200,000 yen per month, as a
general rule, will be provided from October until the acquisition of a doctoral degree within
the standard acquisition period. Therefore, the period eligible for disbursement will be a
maximum of three years from the time of SGC-NEXUS acceptance (including a maximum of
three years for long-term students). For international students, support begins upon theirarrival in Japan.
We will also provide an annual research grant of 180,000 yen (with the possibility of anadditional increase up to 100,000 yen if necessary, with a proportional reduction dependingon the acceptance timing). Regarding the accounting treatment of research grants, if there
is any unspent amount at the end of each fiscal year, we will request the return of the unusedfunds.
*Note that the grant amount is subject to change depending on the national budget situation.

７．Application documents
Submit the application form (including resume, research achievements, research plan, etc.
See Form 1) and an activity plan (See Form 2). Please contact the item 10 for request theapplication form template.

3８．Selection Process
We request applicants to submit the application form (Form 1) and activity plan (Form 2),
and join interviews, if necessary (Interviews include oral presentations and question-andanswer sessions by the applicants). The selection will be based on a comprehensive
evaluation of these materials. If an interview is conducted, it is scheduled to take place
during the period from Tuesday September 24 to Friday September 27,2024. As the period
until the interview is short, we kindly ask applicants to prepare interview presentations, etc.,
in advance. Details will be provided after the acceptance of application documents. The
results of the review will be communicated directly to the applicants via email.

９．The submission method and destination for the application documents【Application Form】（Form 1）・Please save the application documents in PDF format and electronically submit themas attachments to the following address.
・Please name the application form file as '〇〇〇〇-202409SGC-NEXUS Application.'*〇〇〇〇 represents the applicant's name.
・Please use '〇〇〇〇-202409SGC-NEXUS Application' as the subject of the email.
【Activity Plan】（Form 2）・Please name the activity plan file as '〇〇〇〇-202409SGC-NEXUS Activity Plan.'*〇〇〇〇 represents the applicant's name.
・Please send it together with the application form
<Submission email address>
SGC-NEXUS Program: nwu-sgc@cc.nara-wu.ac.jp
 If we receive the submission of the application documents, we will send you aconfirmation email acknowledging receipt.
 If you do not receive the confirmation email by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September
11, please contact us by email or phone listed at the item 10. below as ‘Contact
Information’ mentioned for confirmation.

10．Contact Information【SGC-NEXUS Program；Next Generation Researcher Development Program at Nara
Women's University】
Graduate School Section
Educational Affairs Division
Nara Women’s University
Kitauoya-Nishimachi, Nara
630-8506
Tel/Fax 0742-20-3503
Emailnwu-sgc@cc.nara-wu.ac.jp

URL

http://www.nara-wu.ac.jp/daigakuin/index.html(The forms can be downloaded below)
https://sgcfs.nara-wu.ac.jp/sgc-nexus_202409_requirements/

4