Support Project for Innovative Doctoral Students in the Field of Multi-disciplinary Research in Advanced Science and Technology (NAIST Touch Stone) ~ Spring 2023 Announcement

A briefing session will be held today at 6:00 pm on Zoom.
Everyone considering to apply to the program can attend.

Click here for details.

A recording of the information session has been posted (March 10):

※Links to Application Guideline and Apllication Form are at bottom of this article.

1. Purpose

This project aims to foster "innovative doctoral human resources" who can lead social innovation through problem-driven research in information science, bioscience, materials science, and their fusion areas by supporting activities (such as conducting of “research sprints,” etc.) for fostering competencies as innovative human resources.

2. Research fields to be supported

The field is not particularly limited, but research themes with a view to interdisciplinary fusion and innovation creation are preferred. Research activities with a view to interdisciplinary fusion and innovation creation will be supported in addition to the original doctoral dissertation research.

For examples of interdisciplinary research, refer to the following web pages:

https://www.naist.jp/kensui/supports/interdisciplinary.html

3. Qualifications for application

1. Full-term applicants: Those who will be enrolled in the doctoral course in April 2023.
2. Mid-term applicants: Those who are already enrolled in the doctoral course at the University as of April 1, 2023 (mid-term recruitments will be conducted only when vacancies arise due to the early graduation, etc.).

In both cases, applicants are required to have excellent research skills and a strong desire to make social changes. The number of each recruitment is described in section 6.

However, those who fall under any of the following 1 to 5 are not eligible.

1. Students already selected to receive the Innovation Creation Fellowship based on “the Regulations on the Payment of University Fellowships for the Creation of Science and Technology Innovation” (Regulation No. 2 of 2021 Ordinance)
2. Students employed as special researchers of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
3. Students who receive an annual living expense equivalent of 2.4 million yen or more from the company to which they belong
4. International students receiving support from Japan's government-sponsored foreign student system
5. International students receiving support such as scholarships from their home countries

4. Contents of support

As listed in each of the following items.

1. A monthly research grant (for living expenses) of 165,000 yen will be provided.
2. Research expenses of 400,000 yen or more (at maximum of 800,000 yen) for one year will be provided.
   The amount of research expenses for the first year will be decided based on the evaluation of research proposal described in the application form. For succeeding years, the annual report and the next year’s research plan are used for evaluation.
3. Research support (such as career consultation by UEA, research consultation by URA, technical consultation by technical staff, and cross-disciplinary exchange events, etc.) will be provided.

5. Period of support

Three years at maximum. For mid-term employment, the maximum period shall be 3 years minus the period of enrollment up to the time of hire (excluding the period of absence from school). However, no payment shall be made during the period of leave of absence from school after employment.

6. Number of people to support

In the recruitment in April 2023, the number of applicants is as follows.

• D1 student who will enroll in April 2023 (Period of support: 3 year): 6 persons
• D3 student who enrolled in April 2021 (Period of support: 1 year): 1 person

7. Application period and application method

• Application period: From March 7th (Tue.) to March 21th (Tue.) 17:00, 2023
• Application method: Send required documents (all in PDF) by email as follows.
  • Subject: Touch Stone application
  • Address: touchstone@ad.naist.jp

8. Documents to be submitted

① Application form (attached to this guideline)
② Certificate of achievement for the master's program
③ Score certification of English language examination such as TOEIC (examination within 3 years, copy is acceptable)

9. Evaluation points in the selection

• Contents of the research project proposed in the application form:
  Research theme's academic superiority, feasibility for social contribution, strong orientation to cross-disciplinary or social innovation, and validity as a project
• Evaluation of the person in the interview and evaluation of the self-appeal described in the application form:
  Awareness of social purpose and problem solving, strong motivation for leadership, sharing of problem awareness with the academic supervisor
• Academic ability and expertise:
  Entrance examination results, English skill, and past research achievements

10. Selection and result notification

Selection will be made by evaluation of application documents and interview examination by the selection committee. We will contact you separately regarding the interview. Applicants will be notified of the selection results in early-April.

11. Obligations of support recipients

The following obligations will be imposed on the support recipients.

1. Planning and implementing research sprints (short-term research projects) in each grade
2. Participate in interdisciplinary exchange workshops for the purpose of career development, or plan and manage interdisciplinary exchange workshops in cooperation with other support recipients.
3. Participate in seminars and results presentations planned for the entire program
4. Report the results to the general project manager at the end of each grade. In the final month of the 1st and 2nd year, revise the research plan for the next academic year and submit the plan of the research sprint for the next year.
5. Strive to participate in programs (research presentations, etc.) related to improving research capabilities conducted by universities.
6. To carry out career development in either activities that emphasize social implementation (evaluation from an emergent perspective) or academic achievements (evaluation from an advanced perspective).

For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact the Division for Innovation Education using the inquiry form.

Query Form