Tohoku University Advanced Graduate School
Pioneering Research Support Project for PhD Students
Application Guidelines for April 2024
(for degree program students)
Tohoku University's Advanced Graduate School Pioneering Research Support Project for PhD
Students (hereafter, "project”) is aimed at excellent PhD students with a strong desire to pursue
studies/research in interdisciplinary, international, or academic/industry collaborative areas. It
provides financial support sufficient for living expenses, diverse training programs to increase
their research abilities, and research grants. It also seeks to improve their research environment
by offering an international showcase for their activities. Furthermore, it will accelerate career
path building with an eye toward expanding their range of activity after graduation. It will
promote quantitative expansion and radical restructuring of PhD curricula, leading to enhanced
research capacity for the university overall.
Those who wish to apply for this project should do so through their current program.

1. Period of Award
From April 2024 until the end of the standard course term for the curriculum.
2. Stipend
1) Incentive Stipend (covers living expenses)

JPY 200,000/month※The monthly stipend will be JPY 160,000 or 180,000 depending on performance and otherfactors, and will be determined on an annual basis.
※The stipend is considered "miscellaneous income." Recipients must report it when they file theirincome tax declaration.
※International students, who are not yet able to come to Tohoku University will be eligible for only
the research grant and research expenses once they arrive and complete the necessary
procedures.

2) Research grant: JPY 500,000/year (tentative)※Further research grants etc. may be allocated as competitive funding.

3. Eligibility
This project is open to those who understand its objectives; have a highmotivation/curiosity regarding research activities in their specialized fields; possess theawareness and motivation to play a pivotal role in shaping the future society by obtaining
their doctoral degree; and will be enrolled in the 1st through 3rd years of 3-year doctoral
curricula, or the 1st through 4th years of medical, dental, or pharmaceutical curricula, when
the stipend begins.
*Those who plan to take a leave of absence from April 2024 are not eligible to apply.
4. Restriction on Simultaneous AwardsThose who are receiving any of the following types of financial aid cannot receive support
from this project.
11. Those who are receiving other scholarships from Tohoku University or other public
institutions such as the government.
2. Those who are receiving a scholarship from Tohoku University's Academia-Industry
Collaborating Graduate Programs.
3. Those who are receiving the JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists.
4. Those who are receiving a salary as per the Guidelines for the Japanese Government(MEXT) International Student Scholarship System (March 31, 1954, ruling by theMinister of Education).
5. Those who are receiving the JASSO Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed
International Students.
6. International students who are receiving a scholarship from their own country.
7. Those who receive salary income, executive compensation, or stable non-repayable
scholarship or other support equivalent to this project from a company, university, orprivate organization (the total of all income of 1.8 million yen per year or more, and thetotal monthly amount of approximately 150,000 yen, excluding this project).8. Those
who are deemed to be equivalent to any of those listed in the preceding items.
※Even if you are receiving a scholarship or have income etc. that falls under the above-mentioned
restrictions on receiving multiple scholarships at the time of application, you may still apply if you
are able to decline that scholarship or income after being selected for this project.
※Recipients are permitted to receive scholarships to cover tuition fees, but the amount will becounted towards the JPY 1.8 million limit mentioned in section 7 above.
※The Tohoku University President Fellowship can be received simultaneously with this project.
※If the scholarship you are receiving does not allow you to receive the other financial aid, you need
to follow the rules of that scholarship. When you are selected to this project, you will be required
to follow the necessary procedures, which may include withdrawing from the current scholarship.
※Recipients are permitted to receive scholarship loans from JASSO. However, if the recipient
becomes a Type 1 Scholar in a doctoral course after FY2023, he/she will not be eligible forrepayment waiver.
※Scholarships etc., for the purpose of supporting travel expenses etc. for overseas study, regardlessof the amount, can be received simultaneously with this project. Please also check the restrictions
on receiving duplicate scholarships on the scholarship side.
※Those who are applying for the JSPS Research Fellowship for Young Scientists can also apply forthe project, but if selected by the JSPS, you must withdraw from the project.
※Teaching Assistant (TA) and Research Assistant (RA) employment of up to 19 hours per week ispermitted to the extent that it does not interfere with research activities. However, it must beincluded in the recipient’s income as per section 7 above, and the recipient must decline thesupport from the project if their total income etc., exceeds JPY 1.8 million. Recipients must reporttheir annual income status.

5. Selection Method
Selection will be based on recommendations from the head of each program.
6. Announcement of Selection Results
Selection results will be announced through the applicant's program by the end of March2

2024.
Students selected for the project will belong to the "Pioneering Research Program Unit"of the Advanced Graduate School in addition to their degree program.
7. Obligations
1) In addition to devoting themselves to their research activities, as outlined in theirresearch plans, project recipients are expected to understand the program's purpose,and commit to their studies/research with a suitably sober attitude.
2) Recipients must enroll in the advanced research support and career development /building programs offered by the Center for Graduate School Innovation, Advanced
Graduate School.
3) Recipients must submit a monthly attendance report. They must also promptly reporttheir progress in their studies and research to the director of the Center for Graduate
School Innovation at the end of each fiscal year.
4) As the stipend is considered "miscellaneous income," recipients must pay income tax.
The stipend may disqualify recipients from being claimed as dependents byparents/guardians (for health insurance, dependent allowances, etc.). Recipientsshould check with their parents/guardians or parents'/guardians' workplaces andperform any necessary procedures.
5) The deadline for using the research grant is the last day of March of the following year
(delivery of goods, completion of business trips, etc.). Please follow the instructions ofyour departmental treasurer or the degree program office regarding payment
procedures deadlines, etc.
6) To ensure appropriate use of the research grant, recipients are required to carefully
read the "Use of Research Funds Handbook," undergo compliance education on
improper use of research funds, attend classes on ethical research etc., manage thebudget appropriately for your own research.
7) The academic advisors will oversee matters related to handling intellectual property
and confidential materials to ensure that the recipients' research is conducted
appropriately and yields usable results.
8) Recipients are required to cooperate with follow-up activities conducted by theAdvanced Graduate School's Center for Graduate School Innovation and others toimprove learning/research guidance systems including career development/support,degree programs, and graduate degree screening processes.
9) Those who are selected for the project are required to apply for the JSPS Research
Fellowship for Young Scientists in principle.
※The support period and content may change depending on national policy.

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