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Support Project for Innovative Doctoral Students in the Field of Multi-disciplinary Research in Advanced Science and Technology (NAIST Touch Stone) ~ Fall 2023 Announcement
※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
Those who will be enrolled in the doctoral course in October 2023. Applicants are required to have excellent research skills and a strong desire to make social changes. Those who fall under any of the following 1 to 5 are not eligible.
- 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)
- Students employed as special researchers of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Students who receive an annual living expense equivalent of 2.4 million yen or more from the company to which they belong
- International students receiving support from Japan's government-sponsored foreign student system
- International students receiving support such as scholarships from their home countries
4. Contents of support
As listed in each of the following items.
- A monthly research grant (for living expenses) of 165,000 yen will be provided.
- 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. - 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
One D1 student who will enroll in October 2023 (Period of support: 3 year)
7. Application period and application method
- Application period: From September 11th (Mon.) to October 5th (Thu.) 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 below)
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 mid-October.
11. Obligations of support recipients
The following obligations will be imposed on the support recipients.
- Planning and implementing research sprints (short-term research projects) in each grade
- Participate in interdisciplinary exchange workshops for the purpose of career development, or plan and manage interdisciplinary exchange workshops in cooperation with other support recipients.
- Participate in seminars and results presentations planned for the entire program
- 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.
- Strive to participate in programs (research presentations, etc.) related to improving research capabilities conducted by universities.
- 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).