THERSInterdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation
Researcher
Application Guidelines(for Nagoya University students)(New Recruitment)

Qualified Enrollment Year
AY2023 (2nd Recruitment)
Doctoral Course

Scheduled entrants in April 2023
Scheduled entrants in October 2023

Doctoral Course in
Medicine

Scheduled second-year student in April 2023
Scheduled second-year student in October 2023

AY2024 (1st Recruitment)
Doctoral Course

Scheduled entrants in April 2024

Doctoral Course in
Medicine

Scheduled second-year student in April 2024

*For details other than the above, refer to 4. Application Qualifications.

January 2023

THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher
Application Guidelines (New Recruitment)
AY2023 (2nd Recruitment)/ AY2024 (1st Recruitnement)
1.

PurposeThe THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher Program (hereinafter referred
to as “the Program”) aims to resolve various issues facing Japan and the world, and to develop
doctoral human resources who will lead a future knowledge-based society. Doctoral students are
already at the forefront of research and supporting the foundation of university research. The
Program will provide financial support to such excellent students, and provide courses for themto acquire the skills required by companies, etc., thereby creating an environment in which they
can devote themselves to their research without having to worry about employment.
In addition, by providing opportunities for interaction with doctoral students with different
specialties, mentors with different values, and graduates of the program for leading graduate
schools who serve as role models, the Program encourages the development of new researchbased on original ideas and the creation of interdisciplinary research.
The Program is implemented by JST’s Challenging Research Program for Next Generation Researchers, and theTokai National Higher Education and Research System (THERS). The contents of the Program may be subject
to change due to changes in JST’s program.

2.

Fields Open to Applications (Four (4) fields)
There are four fields. Each field has its own vision for the human resources it wishes todevelop (See Appendix 1)
I: Bioscience, II: Interdisciplinary & Ground-breaking Sciences,
III: Decarbonization & Environment, IV. Glocal Research
Points to Note
- You can apply for any field regardless of your graduate school or major.
- Select your first to third choice of application fields. (However, second and third choices
are optional.)

3.

Number of applicants to be accepted
AY2023 (2nd Recruitment)
Bioscience
Approximately 20
Interdisciplinary & GroundApproximately 10
breaking Sciences
Decarbonization &Approximately 15
Environment
Glocal Research
Approximately 10

AY2024 (1st Recruitnement)
Approximately 16
Approximately 12

Approximately 12
Approximately 8* The numbers to be recruited in the various fields are estimates, and may be adjusted among
fields depending on the state of applications.
4.

Application Qualifications
Applicants to the Program must be persons who meet (1) – (3) below (including international
students).
For AY2023 2nd Recruitment
Doctoral Course—Expected to enroll in April or October 2023
Doctoral Course in Medicine—Scheduled second-year student in April or October 2023

For AY2024 1st Recruitment
Doctoral Course—Expected to enroll in April 2024
Doctoral Course in Medicine—Scheduled second-year student in April 2024

(1) Enrollment Required
For AY2023 2nd Recruitment
Individuals who wish to enroll Nagoya University’s Doctoral Course or Doctoral Course
in Medicine and who enrolled in the Doctoral Course (or second year of the Doctoral Course
in Medicine) in April or October 2023
For AY2024 1st Recruitment
Individuals who wish to enroll Nagoya University’s Doctoral Course or Doctoral Course
in Medicine and who enrolled in the Doctoral Course (or second year of the Doctoral Course
in Medicine) in April 2024

(2) An individual who does not fall under any of the following at the time of admission to
the Doctoral Course (or second year in the case of the Doctoral Course in Medicine)(i)

A student who is deemed to be receiving stable income from their university orcompany, such as a salary or executive remuneration, at a level sufficient to cover living

expenses (approximately 2.4 million yen/year)(ii) International student receiving the Monbukagakusho Scholarship(iii) International student receiving scholarships from their home country(iv) An individual in the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s Research Fellowshipfor Young Scientists*If you are offered a position in a project (2) to (4) above, you must withdraw from this Program(The THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher Program).

(3) An individual who has not applied for the Nagoya University Interdisciplinary Frontier
Fellowship (AY2023 2nd Recruitment or AY2024 1st Recruitment)
Points to Note
- If you plan to receive support from another organizations during the support period of theProgram, check with the office of the scholarship or the academic affairs officer of thegraduate school to which you belong whether or not you can receive both.
- This recruitment is related to the Researcher Program, and in order to receive the support
from the program and enroll in Nagoya University, you must pass the entrance
examination separately conducted by each graduate school.
- If you do not enroll or advance to the Doctoral Course (or advance to the 2nd year in the
Doctoral Course in Medicine) at the time you selected when you input application
information registration, qualification to receive the support under the Program will bedisqualified.
5.

Researcher Grant (hereinafter referred to as the “Grant”)
Researchers receive the following financial grants:(1) Research support grant: ¥180,000 per month
In principle, the grant is transferred to the individual’s account by the end of each month.
As this income is classified as miscellaneous income, a tax return* is required every
year.
* International students may not be required to file a tax return by following tax treaty procedures.

(2) Research expenses ¥250,000 annually
The University manages research expenses. Expenditures will be made in accordancewith the University’s accounting procedures and the student’s research projects.
*

The University may increase the amount of both (1) the research support grant and (2)research expenses if the recipient is selected as an excellent Researcher based on the
results of QE1 Note 1 and QE2 Note 2, etc. conducted in the 1st or 2nd year of theDoctoral Course (or a year higher for the Doctor of Medicine Course students.)
Note 1: Qualifying Examination 1 (Doctoral Course Year 1: Review of Potential to complete the standard
term of study, planning status of international joint research and interdisciplinary research, andconfirmation of at least IELTS 5.5 or equivalent)
Note 2: Qualifying Examination 2 (Doctoral Course Year 2: Review of Potential to complete the standard
term of study, implementation status of international joint research and interdisciplinary research,and confirmation of at least IELTS 6.0 or equivalent (International students are required to passat least Japanese Language Proficiency Test N2 or equivalent in addition to holding the required
level of English proficiency))

6.

Pay period
The research immersion support period is three years maximum. (However, the payment
period may be shortened if the payment suspension/stoppage requirement is met.)

7.

Application documents(1) THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher Application (Form 1)(2) Research Outline (Form 2)(3) Academic Advisor Evaluation (Form 3)(4) Application Outline Video (For details, see the attached “About Creating a Video”)

8.

Application process
Please follow a separate document "Nagoya University interdisciplinary Frontier
Fellowship/THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher Application
Guidelines" to apply to the recruitment.

Application Information Registration Period: from January 23 (Mon) to 14:00, February 6 (Mon) 2023
Upload Application Document Period: from February 2 (Thu) to 14:00, February 14 (Tue) 2023

9.

Screening and results(1) Screening
We will conduct a 1st screening (document and video screening) and a 2nd screening(interview screening). However, depending on their 1st screening results, someapplicants who pass the 1st screening may be exempted from the 2nd screening and be
accepted based only on the 1st screening. The 2nd screening (interview screening) is
conducted for those who pass the 1st screening (document and video screening), except
for those who are exempted from the 2nd screening.
The screening will basically be conducted based on your first choice field. However,this may be changed to your second or third choice field, depending on the state ofapplications.
Points to Note
- The 2nd screening (interview screening) will be conducted on the following dates andtimes. Note that we cannot accept any requests for a specific date and time.
- Interviewees will be notified in the same manner as in “(3) Notification of results”,“Notification methods”.

Interview screening dates:
Field
Bioscience
Interdisciplinary &Ground-breaking
Sciences
Decarbonization &Environment
Glocal ResearchInterview Dates
Friday, March 24 PM
Friday, March 31 PM
Friday, March 24 PM
Thursday, March 23 PM- Applicants will be notified about 2-3 days prior to the interview date.
- Conducted online(2) Screening policy
Evaluation items are as follows and will be evaluated based on individual factors. Refer tothe Appendix 1 for the Screening criteria for each field.
(i)Applicants have the ability to conduct joint research with leading research institutions
and companies, including those overseas, or to conduct challenging research ininterdisciplinary research areas.

(ii) Applicants must be sufficiently expected to become capable doctoral human resourcesin the future.
(iii) Applicants must bring unique research methods, and research targets must be set

appropriately within the standard period of study.
(iv) Applicants must be clearly aware of their career path after obtaining their doctorate anddemonstrate the ability to cultivate the capabilities needed over the standard period ofstudy.
(v) Standard to be set in each field(3) Notification of results
Successful candidates will be notified as follows. Only successful candidates will be notified.

Notification of results: Thursday, April 13
Notification methods
Notification via the email address registered at the time of application.
10. Obligations of Researchers
As recipients of financial grants, Researchers assume the following obligations.
(1) Submission of a report on research for the year and a research activity plan for thefollowing year and thereafter.
(2) Interview with an academic advisor, mentor, or career counselor.
(3) Application to the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s Research Fellowshipfor Young Scientists(4) QE1 and QE2 examination.
(5) Participation in lectures, training, seminars, etc. certified by subject fields (SeeAppendix 1).
(6) Training on the use of public funds and participation in research ethics education
designated by the University.
(7) Registration of data on the implementation status of obligations in designated systems.
(8) Cooperation with inquiries after the Researcher period.
(9) Other matters required by the University.
11. Suspension of grant payments
Grant payments will be suspended if any of the following apply.
(1) Withdrawal, expulsion, or transfer from the University.
(2) Suspension from the University.

(3) Poor academic performance.
(4) Failure to report research results for each year.
(5) Existence of a reason why grant payments are deemed no longer necessary.
(6) Application qualification (3) (i) – (iv) is met(7) Existence of facts other than (1) – (6) that are inappropriate for a Researcher.
12. Returning grant funds
If there are grant funds that were received despite the individual being ineligible due to thesuspension or stoppage of payment, the portion of the funds paid that the individual is not eligible
to receive must be returned to the University.

13. Obligation to cooperate with inquiries after the researchership ends
This system is operated with assistance from MEXT’s Challenging Research Program for

Next Generation Researchers. Therefore, surveys may be conducted on participants’ current
employment status etc. for 10 years following the end of the Program. The Researcher’sname, graduate school, period of support, research theme, and contact information (e-mailaddress) will be provided to the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
Previous participants may be contacted even after the Researcher period has ended. If youraddress, place of employment, email address, and so on has changed, be sure to contact therelevant office at the University.

Inquiries regarding Interdisciplinary Frontier Next
Generation Researcher
Education Planning Division, Education &International Affairs Department
Doctoral Education Consortium
Inquiry Form
https://dec.nagoya-u.ac.jp/inquiry/top

Attached table 1

THERS Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Research Program (Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher)Interdisciplinary Frontier Next Generation Researcher
II. Interdisciplinary &IV. Glocal Research
III. Decarbonization & Environment
Ground-breaking Sciences
This category covers all research fields related to The goal of this research category is to develop
The government of Japan set the target ofThis research category aims to nurture students’life science and medical science. Life science and doctoral personnel who can go back to basic"reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions to zero leadership qualities in promoting sustainable local
medical science research have provided various
principles in order to grasp the essence of nature by 2050." This target addresses global issues such development from global perspectives, as
benefits to humankind. In order to solve more
and society, redefine current issues into feasible
as climate change including global warming,
exemplified by the United Nations Sustainable
complex problems in the future, we need doctoral research questions, and seek solutions throughresource recycling to deal with waste management, Development Goals (SDGs). The main target
researchers who have the ability to think and act fresh ideas and logical thinking. We believe that and urban regeneration based on coexistence with groups are social science students doing policyfrom a broader perspective. Utilizing the strengths true innovation begins with a return to these basic nature. The program aims to foster doctoraloriented studies, as well as natural scienceof the THERS, which has a high level of research principles. The main target fields are basic
students who can contribute to solving global-scale students willing to contribute to sustainable local
capability in this field, the Program aims tosciences, especially mathematical and physicalissues, including the realization of a decarbonized development through applied research. The
nurture doctoral human resources who will be at sciences, linguistics, and historical and culturalsociety. The Graduate School of Environmental
contributions to sustainable local development
the forefront of solving various issues facing theanthropology. The program expects researchers to Studies and the Future Earth Research Center at should not be conceived narrowly within aworld through challenging and international
work at resonance and fusion among mathematics, Nagoya University, the Research Center forcountry’s domestic context, but have broader,research.
space, humanity, civilization, society, life, matter, Adaptation to Regional Environmental Changes
global implications.
and elementary particles studies.
and the Research Center for Watershed Science atGifu University will support researchers throughtheir advanced research. In particular, we expect
researchers to be either specialists with anunderstanding of other fields or generalists with astrong expertise. The two universities participatedin the “University Coalition to Achieving Carbon
Neutrality” established on July 29, 2021. The
THERS created the Carbon Neutral Promotion
Office on November 1, 2021. These arrangements
will enhance cooperation with universities andresearch institutes in Japan, the national
government, local governments, and companies.
The program expects researchers to exploit
research opportunities coming out of thiscooperation.
I. Bioscience

Objectives of the program /Image of researchers to be fostered<Common to all fields>(1) Applicants have the ability to conduct joint research with leading research institutions and companies, including those overseas, or to conduct challenging research in interdisciplinary research areas.
(2) Applicants must be sufficiently expected to become capable doctoral human resources in the future.
(3) Applicants must bring unique research methods, and research targets must be set appropriately within the standard period of study.
(4) Applicants must be clearly aware of their career path after obtaining their doctorate and demonstrate the ability to cultivate the capabilities needed over the standard period of study.

Screening criteria

Lectures, training, seminars, etc.
common to all fields[Required]<Field-specific criteria>
I. Bioscience
II. Interdisciplinary & Ground-breaking
To have the ability to clarify the significance of
Sciences
Consideration is given to the academic value of
one’s own research in solving global social andthe applicant’s research as basic research, and toscientific issues, and the ability to develop life
science and medical science research from a broad the expansion to interdisciplinary research andinternational joint research based on it.
perspective to achieve thisIII. Decarbonization & Environment
IV. Glocal Research
To achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 or to solve
Researchers should be willing to realize a moreglobal environmental issues (climate change,
diverse society through cross-cultural
resource recycling, coexistence with nature, urban understanding and the promotion of SDGs, and be
and rural regeneration, etc.), we need researchable to clarify their research initiatives thatcapabilities based on multiple perspectives. In
contribute to the development of local
other words, researchers should have the potential communities.
to become either a specialist with anunderstanding of other fields or a generalist withti[1] QE1 and QE2 examinations[Screening items: Degree completion within the standard period of study/Interdisciplinary research & international joint research/Language ability][2] Preparation of PR video on research etc. [Japanese or English] (D2)[3] Preparation of PR video on research, etc. [Language other than in 2] (The international students who used English at D2 can choose either Japanese or first language except English) (D3)[4] “Interdisciplinary Frontier Doctoral Human Resources Exchange Session (D1)” or “Business and Doctoral Human Resources Exchange Session” (D1-D3)[5] Interaction with mentors etc for career development. (Details will be annouced later.)*For a four-year doctoral course, the year listed is one year higher.
*Students must gain at least 20 Research Points (RPs) during the research period, chosen from their elective requirements

Criteria

Maximum points

Parentheses: Indicates the number of points each time.
Maximum points: Students may take more classes than the maximum number of points, but only the maximum number of points will be counted as their total points.

[1] Take professional literacy training (Transferable Skills Training) (2RPs)(May also be taken during the Master’s Course.)[2] Take language training organized by the Doctoral Education Consortium (2RPs)
Seminars, etc.

[3] Take paper writing seminar organized by the Doctoral Education Consortium (2RPs)

6RPs[4] Take B-jin seminar, PhD career path webinar (career development seminar) (0.5RP per 90- to 120-minute session)[5] Seminars approved by the Subcommittee or the Doctoral Education Consortium (e.g. science communication lectures and exercises, PI training
seminars, video viewing) (0.5RP per 90- to 120-minute session)

Internships

Elective
requirements

Study abroad, etc.

Companies, other universities, research institutes, local governments, international organizations, NGOs & NPOs, etc.
Between 2 weeks and 2 months from the first time until completion, calculated roughly at 8 hours a day, between 80 and 320 hours (10RPs).
For overseas, from 1 week is allowed.
At least 2 months from the first time until completion (20RPs)

20RPs[1] Academic conferences, joint research, laboratory meetings, overseas volunteer work, training and study abroad (10RPs)
International students are recommended to travel outside their home country. If staying for a long time, you may count RPs under the abovementioned
internships. For international conference presentations, you may count RPs under the following research presentations.

20RPs

Research presentation,
awards[1] First author’s presentation at an international conference (5RPs) and first author’s presentation at a domestic conference (2RPs)
10RPs[2] Winning an award (1 to 5RPs: 3RPs for academic conference poster award etc., 5RPs for an application etc.)[3] First author’s paper accepted in a peer-reviewed journal (10RPs, or 20RPs for Web of Science or Scopus Q1 journals), paper by author other than (Special exception:
the first author accepted (4RPs, or 8RPs for Web of Science or Scopus Q1 journals), and other outcomes recognized by the Subcommittee (10RPs, or 20RPs for Q1
journals, etc.)
2RPs if recognized as outstanding by the Subcommittee)

Student team experiences[1] Planning and implementation of seminars (10RPs)[2] Presentation at idea/business contest (10RPs) If an award is won, points are also added for winning the abovementioned awards.
[3] Planning and management of events conducted in this Program (15RPs)

20RPs

Joint research,
interdisciplinary research(Understanding ofother fields, etc.)[1] 100-nin Rombun (5RPs), if proceeding to a meeting with the researcher (5RPs added)[2] If an exchange meeting between a company and a doctoral student leads to a company visit (3RPs added)[3] Exchange event held with the Subcommittee (max. 5RPs)[4] Credit earned from seminar course (Research discussion with other graduate schools, equivalent to 15 classes) (1 course, 5RPs)[5] Industry-Government-Academia- Finance collaboration session, organized by Gifu University (max. 5RPs)[6] Retreat training conducted for the WISE Program and the Leading Graduate School Program students (8RPs)[7] When a WISE Program student passes the WISE Program QE (RPs under review)

20RPs

Activities organized by
DEC

This category covers the cross field events to enhance interdisciplinary research, hands-on activities for career development and workshops etc.
This category doesn't include the seminars organized by DEC.

RPs