May, 2024
Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING)- Doctoral Student Support Project –Application Guideline [AY2024]
The University of Tsukuba has been selected by JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) as
one of the universities / colleges that leads promising students through their program “Support forPioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING).” Through this program, theUniversity provides financial support (living & research allowance, hereinafter referred to as
Research Fellowship) to our promising doctoral students in the form of grants. The overview of theJST project “SPRING” and our application requirements are shown below.
Purpose of the Project・Supporting PhD students to devote themselves to unrestricted, challenging andinterdisciplinary research projects

・Supporting the students to devote themselves to their own research by covering theirliving expenses.

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

・

The Project Run by the University of Tsukuba;<Project Title >「学問分野の壁を超えて多様な⼈材と共創できるトランスボーダー型価値創造⼈材育成プロジェクト」〜予測不能な社会変容にも対応して世界を変える⼒を備えた、多様なキャリアパスで活躍できる博⼠⼈材育成〜
Transborder Human Capital Development Project: Fostering Agile Doctoral Students in a VUCA World・Project Officer
KATO Mitsuyasu - Vice President and Executive Director for EducationProject Period
From AY2021 to AY2026**In case of the PhD students in Medical Sciences; AY2027

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

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

Enrolledin

the2024/4

Doctoral Course ⼀ 貫

3rd year

制 博 ⼠ 課 程 (Medicaladmitted/transferred

Sciences not included)

students

AY2024

toAbout 188 students

Or Students who havepassed the mid-term
exams etc., and who
have 3 years left intheir period of study.
Medical Sciences

2024/4From

1rst year enrollees

AY2028AY2024to＊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.
＊For application category A, recruitment for the academic year 2024 (Reiwa 6) will be based solely
on the fields of the University Fellowship Establishment Program for Science and Technology
Innovation Creation*. For details, please refer to the application guidelines provided by each support
office.
* "University Fellowship Establishment Program for Science and Technology Innovation Creation"(implemented by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) until the academic year 2023)(1-2) Application Category B
Students enrolled in the following as of April 2024
CourseTargetNumber of hires

Employment period

neededDoctoral Program ( 区Students who have 2分制の博⼠後期課程)

years

3rd

year of PhD course

left

in

their

period of study.

（3 年制博⼠課程)
EnrolledintheStudents

whohave

About 58 students

From April 2024 toMarch 2026 (2 years)

Doctoral Course ⼀ 貫passed the mid-term

制博⼠課程

exams etc., and who 2(MedicalSciences not included)

years

left

in

their

period of study.
Medical SciencesStudents who have 2or 3 years left in theirperiod of study.

＊To continue this program, a new application will be reviewed each year. Even if the studentʼs
period of study is extended due to a leave absence, etc., the program period will not change.
(1-3) Application Category C
Students enrolled in the following as of April 2024
CourseTargetNumber of hires

Employment period

neededDoctoral Program ( 区Students who have 1

分制の博⼠後期課程)

year left in their period

3rdyear of PhD course

About 80 students

From April 2024 toMarch2025 (1 years)of study.

（3 年制博⼠課程)
EnrolledintheStudents

whohave

Doctoral Course ⼀ 貫passed the mid-term

制博⼠課程(Medicalexams etc., and who 1

Sciences not included)

year left in their periodof study.

Medical Sciences

Students who have 1
year left in their periodof study.

＊The studentʼs period of study is extended due to a leave absence, etc., the program period will
not change.
(1-4) 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.
②For 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
・Highly motivated students who are keen on developing their career path・

Those who aim to work hard and productively in unique and interdisciplinary research studies
that can contribute SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)

・

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 AmountClass 1. Particularly promising students (aprx.25% out of recipients):
2.9 million yen (2.4 million yen for living, 500,000 yen for research)
Class 2. Promising students (aprx.75% out of recipients)︓
2.72 million yen (2.22 million yen for living, 500,000 yen for research)[Note]*1 In addition to the above categories, support based on the fields of the University Fellowship
Establishment Program for Science and Technology Innovation Creation will be provided.
However, please refer to the recruitment guidelines provided by each support office fordetails.
*2 The amount of the Research Fellowship is subject to change depending on JSTʼs budget
availability.

*3 The classification level will be determined by the project committee.

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

Submit the application form in PDF data (FILE NAME: application category A, B or C, student ID
number, your 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