Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation Program at Kumamoto University
Program for Fostering Innovators to Lead a Better Co-being Society
Application Guidelines for AY2024
At Kumamoto University, we are providing support for doctoral students to create an environment
where they can focus on research and to assist in shaping career paths after completion. This support
is possible with funding from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and their Support
for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING) program.
Starting from April 2024 (AY2024), our aim is to further improve the motivation to enter doctoral
study and the fostering of doctoral candidates with advanced research capabilities. To achieve this,we will implement the “Program for Fostering Innovators to Lead a Better Co-being Society” (theBetter Co-being Program).
In addition, if selected for the "Next Generation AI Human Resources Development Program" (the"BOOST Program") implemented by JST, we plan to implement the “Global Doctoral Human
Resource Development Program for Leading the Field of AI” (hereinafter referred to as the“Guide4AI Program”) with the aim of fostering outstanding doctoral talents in interdisciplinary
areas, with AI as the core subject. Applicants interested in both programs can apply for both(duplicate applications are possible). Please refer to the separate Guide4AI Program recruitment
outline for further details.
For AY2024’s Guide4AI Program, selection will be made from among those who have applied forthis program. Additionally, if applying to both programs and meeting the requirements for both,priority will be given to acceptance into the Guide4AI Program.
１．Number of Students Accepted for Admission
31 students (Limited to those who entered the first year of a 3- or 4-year doctoral course on April1, 2024)※ For students in other years of study (e.g., those already in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of study)
we will recruit when there are vacancies. We will announce such recruitment on the program's website.
Website：https://higoprogram.jp/en/bettercobeing_english/
２．Eligibility for Application
Doctoral course students enrolled in the graduate schools listed below may apply (however,those taking an absence from university as of April 1st, 2024, are not eligible):•Graduate School of Science and Technology•Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences1•Graduate School of Medical Sciences•

Graduate School of Health Sciences•

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Applicants must also fulfil the conditions below:(1) Students who entered the first year of a 3- or 4-year doctoral course on April 1, 2024
(2) Students who are NOT supported by the following may apply:•JSPS Special Research Fellowship•

MEXT Scholarship•

Foreign students who are supported by scholarship programs in their home country(3) Students who are deemed to NOT be receiving a stable income which is sufficient to meetliving expenses, such as an income from a company or university position may apply (a stable
income is classed as approximately 2.4 million yen/year)(4) Students who have never received a disciplinary action stipulated in Kumamoto University’sRegulations(5) Students who can take full part in the program throughout the support period
３．Support Amount
Living expenses:

200,000 JPY/month

Research grant:

200,000 JPY/year＊ The living expenses and research grant amount are subject to change depending on
government policies and budget conditions＊Living expenses and research grant will be supported only for official duration of respective
courses in the university.
＊The first payment of living expenses for those accepted by the program will be made in June
as a lump sum for the period from April to June. It will be paid monthly thereafter.
＊In line with university rules, the research grant can be used on necessary goods for research,travel expenses, etc. The research grant will be managed and distributed by the affiliatedlaboratory.
＊Furthermore, if your living expenses payment beings or ends during the middle of a month,
the amount paid in that month will be determined by the university pro rata.
＊The amount equivalent to living expenses is treated as miscellaneous income under tax law
and is subject to income tax and residential tax.
・For the health insurance and dependent allowances, please contact the person in charge at
the workplace of head of the family (e.g. parents).
・Please contact your local tax office for the regulation of income tax for dependents.
＊If you are an international student who has not yet arrived in Japan, the start of support(payment of living expenses and allocation of research expenses) will be after your arrival2

in Japan.
４．Program Terms
Students who are selected for the program must comply with the following terms. In the casethat a student does not comply with any of these terms, payment of living expenses and theresearch grant may be suspended.
(1) Students should focus on their research activities.
(2)

Students should attend the courses on research ethics and compliance provided by theuniversity.

(3) Students should get confirmation of enrollment every month.
(4)

Students should submit a research plan and a research report every year to the Program
Supervisor.

(5) Throughout the support period, participants are required to complete the following educational
programs as defined by this program:(a) Participate in one or more overseas training sessions during the period of support, or obtain
credits for one of the following courses listed in the appendix (pg. 6) titled " Doctoral
Cooperative Education through Research Internships", "HIGO Governmental Internship", or"HIGO Business Internship"(b) Attend all colloquium and reporting sessions(c) Take credits for this program (see appendix, pg. 6) in accordance with the course
completion procedures(6)

Register with Consortium system and JGRAD

５．Application Procedures(1) Application Method
・Please register on and download the application forms from the website below
Website link：https://higoprogram.jp/en/bettercobeing_english/
・Please fill out all required information and submit all forms as a single combined PDF file
via the File Submission Box.
When uploading the PDF file, please name the file using your affiliation sign and full name.
(e.g., G：Full Name).

Affiliation signG

Affiliation
社会文化科学教育部

Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences3

D

自然科学教育部

Graduate School of Science and TechnologyR

医学教育部

Graduate School of Medical Sciences

Y

薬学教育部

Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

W

保健学教育部

Graduate School of Health Sciences(2) Submission Documents
・ Program Application Form (entered directly through Form)*We will also confirm whether you wish to apply for the Guide4AI program, which will be
implemented if Kumamoto University is selected for the BOOST program (we are stillawaiting the selection results)
・ Written statement for reason of application (upload as PDF)
*If you wish to apply for the Guide4AI Program, additional documents are required
・ Research Plan (upload as a PDF)
・ Scores of external English examinations such as TOEIC, etc.
oIf you have them, attach them to the back of the research plan. If you do not havethem, you do not need to attach anything(3) Application PeriodApril 5th (Friday) – April 19th (Friday), 2024 by 12:00pm
６．Selection Procedure and Notification of Results(1)

Selection will be based on an applicant’s submitted application and by interview.

(Points to consider in your application)
Reasons for application (clarity of motivation and ambition, vision for career path,motivation for research, abilities for cross-disciplinary training and research, and learningin different fields, training of cross-disciplinary research ability, and ambition andmotivation for challenging career paths, etc.)
Research plan (scientific contribution, objectives and feasibility of research, clarity ofapplication form, social impact, potential for integration with other fields, etc.)
English language score from an external examination(Points to consider during your interview)
Motivation, reasons for one’s application, research plan, career vision, etc.
(2) The language used for the written examination and interview shall be Japanese or English.
(3) Interviews will be conducted via Zoom, and they are planned to be held between May 7th(Tues) to May 13th (Mon). We shall inform you about the exact date and time of the interview
via the email address you provide in your application.
(4) The results of the selection process shall be announced at the end of May.

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７．Handling of Personal Information(1)

Personal information contained in the application documents will be used for selection ofprogram students and other purposes related to the program.

(2) Personal information such as test results used for the selection of program students will beused for the compilation and analysis of selection results and for the investigation and analysisof selection method.
(3) In order to carry out (1) and (2), some aspects may be outsourced to an external company. Insuch a case, after making an appropriate contract for careful handling of personal information,
all or part of the acquired personal information will be provided to the company.
８．Orientation for the Program
Orientation video will be posted on the Better Co-being program website.
(https://higoprogram.jp/en/bettercobeing_english/)９．Caution
・The names of selected students will be posted on the university homepage.
・After submission, as a general rule you will not be allowed to make any changes to yourapplication.
・Applications will not be returned.
・Applicants who include false information in their application will be rejected and may be rejectedeven after the selection process has finished.
・A follow-up survey of selected students will be conducted. Students will be asked to participate
in these surveys for up to 10 years after completion of the program.
・After selection by the program, students must submit a certificate of completion of research ethics
education (eAPRIN or eL CoRE) conducted by the university. You will receive information fromyour affiliated department, so please make sure to take the course as soon as possible.
10．Contact Information
Headquarters for Admissions and Education, Graduate Program Education Promotion
Divisionwell-being@jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp※Please send any inquiries by email

Appendix
Program Courses and Credits
5

履修方法
区分 Subject

単位数

授業科目 Program Courses

GroupCredits※1

異分野横断・挑戦的研究力養成パッケー
ジ科目群

研究の最前線と知の統合

CrossDiscipline /Challenging
ResearcherDevelopment
Package
Courses

Understanding Contemporary Society A ※2

※1
Current Science and Technology in Japan Ⅱ(日本の先端科学Ⅱ)
現代社会理解 A ※2

1

Forefront of Research and Integration of Knowledge

現代社会理解 B※21※2

1Understanding Contemporary Society B ※2
※2

技術革新のための基礎科学

Basic Science for Technological Innovation
科学の歴史

1※2※2

1History of Sciences ※2※3

S-HIGO 最先端研究セミナーB

2S-HIGO Cutting Edge Seminar B ※3※4

深度異文化理解プログラムⅠ

2

In-Depth Cross-Cultural Understanding Program I※4※4

深度異文化理解プログラムⅡ

2

In-Depth Cross-Cultural Understanding Program I※4
キャリア開発・コンピテンシー養成パッケージ科目群

博士ジョブ型研究インターンシップ ※1
Doctoral Cooperative Education through Research Internships
HIGO リーダーシップトレーニング講座 ※5
HIGO Leadership Training Course ※5
HIGO 行政インターンシップ ※5CareerDevelopment /Competency
Development
Package
Courses

HIGO Governmental Internship ※5
HIGO 企業インターンシップ※1※5

HIGO Business Internship ※5※5

HIGO 行政セミナー

HIGO Governmental Seminar
HIGO Business Seminar
科学英語演習 I※5※5

HIGO 企業セミナー※5※2

Practical Scientific English I ※2
科学英語演習 II※2

Practical Scientific English II ※2
マネジメント概論

2※2

Introduction to Management ※2

2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

CourseAttendance
Method
他教育部（大学院教養科目を含む）の授業科目を含め 2 科目以上 At least 2
courses in thissubject groupand one atleastone
subject shouldbe from othergraduateschool(includinggraduateschool liberalarts courses)
2 科目以 P.3の 4.（5）a.の規程により単位を修得した科目を除く）
2 or moresubjects(excludingcoursesforwhich credits
are earned inaccordance
withtheregulations in
4. (5) a. on pg.
3)

備考(1) ※1 を付した授業科目は、大学院教養教育プログラムの授業科目である。Courses markedwith※1 are part of the Graduate School Liberal Arts Courses.
(2) ※2 を付した授業科目は、大学院自然科学教育部の授業科目である。Courses marked with ※2 arepart of the Graduate School of Science and Technology.
(3) ※3 を付した授業科目は、大学院医学教育部、大学院保健学教育部及び大学院薬学教育部の授業科目(S-HIGO プロフェッショナルプログラムの授業科目)である。Courses marked with ※3 arepart of the S-HIGO Professional Fellowship Program belonging to Graduate School of Medical Sciences,
Graduate School of Health Science and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
(4) ※4 を付した授業科目は、大学院社会文化科学教育部の授業科目である。Courses marked with
※4 are part of the Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences6(5) ※5 を付した授業科目は、大学院医学教育部及び大学院薬学教育部の授業科目(HIGO コースの授業科目)である。Courses marked with ※5 are part of the HIGO Program Course belonging to(6)Graduate School of Medical Sciences and Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
本プログラムで修得した単位を、博士後期課程・博士課程の修了要件単位と認定するかどうかは、在籍する教育部の定めるところによる。Whether credits obtained through this program will berecognized as credits towards graduation will be determined by respective graduate schools where students
are enrolled.

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