Q&A (FAQ regarding support for project selectees up to FY2023.
◆Application Requirements
No.

Question

Answer1

I am currently enrolled in a master's program at another university, can I apply for the project?

2

There are no such limitations for participating in the project.
Are there any restrictions on working students (including those who have had previous working experience) or
However, those who receive a stable income of 2.4 million yen or more per year in salaries and/or executive compensation are notage regarding participation in the project?
eligible to apply.

3

My annual income is higher than 2,400,000 yen. May I receive only the research funds and not thefinancial support to cover living expenses?

You cannot receive only research funds.

4

Can United Graduate School students also apply for the project?

Only doctoral course students enrolled at Chiba University are eligible to apply for the project.

5

Are international students eligible to apply?

Although there are no nationality requirements for eligibility, applicants must understand that this program is designed to strengthen
support for outstanding, aspiring doctoral students who will play a leading role in the future of science, technology, and innovation in
Japan. In addition, applicants must be able to take the selection examination at the test site.

6

Are graduate students who are currently applying for JSPS Fellowships eligible to apply for this project?

Students applying for JSPS fellowship are eligible for this project. However, if they are selected as JSPS research fellow, they mustwithdraw from this project.

7

If a project participant is also selected as a research fellow from the JSPS and withdraws from the
project, do they need to continue carrying out the activities required under the project?

Even if a project participant is selected as a research fellow from the JSPS, they must carry out all of the activities required under the
project.

8

Recipients of a scholarship that does not allow the recipient to receive another scholarship at the same time cannot apply for the project.
Are scholarship recipients ineligible to apply for the project? If eligible, is it possible for such students to Similarly, students who have applied for/been accepted for a scholarship that does not allow the recipient to receive another scholarshipparticipate in the project while also receiving the scholarship?
at the same time also cannot apply for the project. Please check the type of the scholarship you are receiving (applying for) before
applying for the project.

9

Are recipients of JASSO loan-type scholarships ineligible? If they are eligible to apply, can they receive
It is possible for recipients of JASSO loan-type scholarships and they can receive it together. However, depending on the type ofthe scholarship in combination with the scholarship? If so, will they be able to participate in the project
scholarship, you may not be possible to receive both scholarships. Please confirm the type of scholarship before applying the project.
while also receiving the scholarship?

10

You may apply for the project. But you must be admitted to Chiba University to participate in the project.

In “(3) An applicant who DOES NOT fall under any of the following conditions (A) to (H)” of “3.
Application Requirements”, Item (A) is “A student who has exceeded the standard period of study of the
For students in the three-year doctoral course, it means “a period longer than three years excluding the period of absence from school”.
doctoral course”. Does “exceeded the standard period of study” mean:
For students in the four-year doctoral course, it means “a period longer than four years excluding the period of absence from school”.
• A period longer than three years including the period of absence from school; or• A period longer than three years excluding the period of absence from school?

11

Regarding the Grant Period, the Application Guidelines state that monthly financial support will be paid
In this case, the standard period for completion of the course will have been exceeded, and so payment of the monthly financial support
for a maximum of three years. If a student in the three-year doctoral course does not complete the course
will not be continued after a period of three years for students in the three-year doctoral course (four years for students in the four-year
within three years, can they still receive the monthly financial support if they are within the three-year
doctoral course).
period stipulated for the grant payment?

12“Excellent” and “Partnership” students have their Enrollment and Tuition Fees waived, but do notreceive any other support. Are such students eligible to apply for the project?

Yes, such students are eligible. However, if a student is accepted for the project, they must withdraw from the Excellent/PartnershipStudent Program. Accordingly, they will lose their eligibility for support as an Excellent/Partnership Student.

No.

13

Question
I previously applied for the JST’s “University Fellowship Program for Innovation Creation in Scienceand Technology” but was not selected. Can I apply for the project?

Answer

You are eligible to apply for this project, but please consult with your supervisor first. It is also possible to apply concurrently if you areconsidering applying for the JST fellowship.

◆Application Documents
1

Can applicants submit a completed application in English?

Applicants can submit a completed application form in English.

2

When applying, is it necessary to submit certification related to income?

There are no plans for requiring applicants to submit certification related to income at the time of application. However, those whose
total annual TA (Teaching Assistant)/RA (Research Assistant) or other salary income is 2,400,000 yen or higher are ineligible to apply
for the project. If your total annual TA/RA or other salary income (excluding research fund payments for the project) becomes
2,400,000 yen or higher after you become a project participant, you will lose your eligibility to participate in the project, so please
inform the Project Secretariat promptly.

3

The application guideline states that if applicants cannot submit copies of score reports from TOEIC,
Applicants may submit a single-authored academic paper in English as a reference to verify language proficiency. Applicants may also
TOEFL, or other foreign language proficiency tests (including tests in languages other than English),submit an offprint of a published paper that the Corresponding Author has confirmed in writing to have been written by the applicant, orthey should submit documents that can verify their language proficiency. Can applicants submit a single- a paper written by the applicant and presented at an international conference. Please note that applicants who do not have documents
authored academic paper written in English?
confirming their language ability may still apply.

4

Is it necessary for international students to submit a copy of the score report for a foreign language
proficiency test?

5

Can international students submit their JLPT score as a copy of their Foreign Language Proficiency Test
score report? Also, I have made an oral presentation at an academic conference. Can I submit my paper If you have the result of the JLPT, please submit it. You may also submit papers presented at academic conferences.
as a document to show my language proficiency?

6

The Application Guidelines state that it is necessary for programs participants to also conduct research in After being selected to participate in the project, this will be an activity that you carry out proactively, so please ensure that you havea field different from their main major (secondary major). Is it necessary for applicants to havealready considered your secondary major in detail and formulated a research plan at the time of application. It is possible to change yourconcretely decided on their secondary major at the time of application?
secondary major after you have been selected for the project.

Please submit documentation confirming your language ability for a language other than your native language.

◆Selective Examination1

Who is responsible for selection screening?

Regardless of your field of study, faculty members will be the primary reviewers. Therefore, when filling out the application form,
please be sure to provide a clear explanation of your research field.

◆Procedures Following Selection
1

How do I carry out the required procedures after being selected to participate in the project?

After the announcement of sucessful applicants, guidance will be provided to new students in the “All Directional Innovation Creator
Ph.D. Project”. Procedures and activities moving forward will be explained during the guidance meeting, so be sure to attend.

2

I have already taken the eAPRIN course for research ethics education; do I need to take the course overagain?

It is mandatory for project participants to take the research ethics education (Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Digest Version)
stipulated by the JST. After taking the course, project participants are required to submit a course completion report. [Reference URL]
https://edu2.aprin.or.jp/ard/

3

How is the amount of research funding provided determined?

A committee established for this project will review the Independent Research Challenge Plan submitted by successful applicants andmake a decision.

No.

Question

Answer4

If I am selected as a project participant, is it permitted for me to continue working as a TA/RA?

You can continue working as a TA/RA. However, you are required to manage your effort so that it does not interfere with the research
to be conducted under this project. If the total amount of TA/RA income plus other income such as salary exceeds 2.4 million yen peryear, you will be disqualified as a project student and should notify the project secretariat as soon as possible.

5

If I am selected as a project participant, is it permitted for me to have a part-time job?

Yes, it is permitted for you to have a part-time job as long as it does not negatively affect your research activities or careerdevelopment/training content implementation. However, if you become able to obtain a stable income of 2,400,000 yen or higher fromyour part-time work, you will lose your eligibility to participate in the program, so please inform the Project Secretariat promptly.

6(1) Successful applicants are required to carry out all of the activities stipulated in the Application Guidelines.
With regard to activities required for successful applicants (Item 12 of the Application Guidelines):(2) Project participants are required to submit documentation showing the results of research in a field different from their doctoral(1)Is it required to carry out all of the listed activities from (1) through (5)?
thesis research (including, for example, journal publications, conference presentations, or other research results obtained prior to(2)The Application Guidelines state: “Besides your supervisor, choose other faculty members in different receiving support as a project participant).
fields from your major. Under two supervisors, you are expected to attain research achievements in at(3) Project participants plan and carrying out a research plan for their main major that emphasizes “challenge”.
least two fields.” What level of results am I required to attain?
(4) Project participants independently plan and undertake training/internships/study abroad that is mainly for the purpose of their future(3)What is the “Independent Research Challenge”?
career development. With regard to the costs involved with studying abroad, etc., it is possible for project participants to receive support(4)What is “Self-development Training”?
for travel expenses after the committee has considered their plan; calls for the submission of plan applications are made on a regularbasis.

7

Apart from the activities required for successful applicants, is there anything else that successful
applicants are required to do?

In addition to various questionnaire surveys conducted by the university, successful applicants are required to participate in interuniversity doctoral course student exchange meetings organized by the JST and cooperate with career surveys, monitoring surveys, etc.

8Must the secondary major be in a completely different field from the main major?

The secondary major for this project requires results done in a different laboratory than the one where the doctoral dissertation researchis being conducted.

9

When publishing research results obtained through the project, please state that you received research funds under the project. Whenmentioning that you received funding support in the “Acknowledgments” section of the paper, please include: “JST SPRING, Grant
Number [10-digit systematic number]”. The same applies when submitting manuscripts for publication. The 10-digit systematic number
Are there any procedures that must be carried out when publishing research results obtained through theis “JPMJSP2109”. Below is an example of how to state this information in the “Acknowledgments” section of an academic paper.
project?
[English] This work was supported by JST SPRING, Grant Number JPMJSP2109.
[Japanese] 本研究は、JST 次世代研究者挑戦的研究プログラム JPMJSP2109 の支援を受けたものです.
*If the paper involves two or more projects, please list the projects and their systematic numbers.

No.

Question

AnswerPlease refer to Item “3. Eligible Students” in the FAQ section of the JST “Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next
Generation” program.
[Reference URL (Japanese only)] https://www.jst.go.jp/jisedai/dl/faq-2021.pdf

10

As a project participant, what other matters do I need to take especial care with?

11

Financial support to cover living expenses is classified as miscellaneous income for taxation purposes, so the tax amount is not withheld
The Application Guidelines state that financial support to cover living expenses is subject to taxation, but
at source. Accordingly, it is necessary for you to file a tax return yourself the year following receipt of the payment for financial support
is the tax amount withheld at source?
to cover living expenses. You are also required to pay resident tax.

12

If you are a dependent of your parent/guardian, you will be required to enroll in National Health Insurance on your own, which may
I am currently a dependent of my parent/guardian; will this status change if I receive financial support toresult in a change in the treatment of your dependent care allowance, etc. Please inquire with the person in charge at yourcover living expenses?
parent/guardian's workplace.

13

When does payment of financial support to cover living expenses begin?

Payment will begin after project procedures have been completed, and so the payment for the first month will be paid together with thepayment for the second month around the 25th of the second month of your participation in the project. From then on, payments foreach month will be paid around the 25th of that month. However, if procedures are delayed because of incomplete documentation, etc.,
the initial payment may be paid in the third month of your participation in the project.

14

Is there anything else that I am required to do as a project participant even after completing my doctoral
course?

For 10 years after the completion of your doctoral course, the JST will conduct surveys about project participants’ employment status
and research results, so please cooperate with these surveys.

Is it eligible to receive support under the project even while taking a leave of absence from theuniversity?

While you are on a leave of absence, your participation in the project is also suspended, and so financial support to cover living
expenses is not paid during this period. Furthermore, if your leave of absence exceeds two years, you will lose your eligibility toparticipate in the program. the project is currently operated using research funds provided by the JST, but due to changes in funding
resources from FY 2024 onwards, support content will be reviewed. Accordingly, when you resume your studies, the support content
may differ from that you are currently receiving. It is important that we know the period of your leave of absence, so please inform theProject Secretariat promptly.

15◆Other
1

Will the project be continuing in the future?

This project is supported by the JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) and is scheduled to perform as a new project since
FY2024. When a new project is decided to be implemented, it will be posted in the application guideline and at the website. For more
information about the leave of absence from university, please refer above (No. 15).