Kochi University has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) tobe funded under its program "Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING)" for Academic Year 2024, which is designed to support doctoral course students' endeavors, and has launched the project of "Kochi University Future Leaders of Marine Resources Development".
JST"Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING)"
■Points of SPRING■
This program promotes the following three points in order to develop human resources who will contribute to "science, technology and innovation in Japan.
i) To support free, challenging, and integrative research by doctoral students that is not bound by existing frameworks.
ii) To provide a stable and continuous environment where students can devote themselves to research over multiple fiscal years by providing an amount equivalent to living expenses.
iii) To lead outstanding doctoral students to become doctoral human resources who can be active in diverse career paths.
■Kochi University's Profile■
Title of the Project "Kochi University Future Leaders of Marine Resources Development"
Project Leader TSUE Yasuhiko Ph.D. (Dean of Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences)
Recipient List
Through this project, Kochi University aims to nurture doctoral students to become "next-generation marine resource researchers" with an international and cross-disciplinary perspective, who are free, challenging, and fusion-oriented, and who will be active at the core of regional innovation in various fields as human resources with both advanced expertise and a high level of transferable skills. We aim to develop human resources with advanced expertise and a high level of transferable skills to play an active role as the core of regional innovation in a variety of fields.
To this end, we support doctoral students conducting research related to the ocean from a wide range of research fields, focusing on specialized areas such as marine life sciences, deep-sea resource science, materials science, coastal environment studies, health and medical sciences, and disaster prevention science.
Application Guidelines
Application Form (FORM 1)
Recommendation letter (FORM 2)
Eligibility for Application
The project is open to the first-year students of the doctoral course at Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University as of April 2026, and applicants who fall under the following application types.
(Application Types)
Type 1: Primarily Japanese students who lack stable, fixed income equivalent to living expenses (¥2.4 million/year or more) (excluding those falling under Type 2 or Type 3)
Type 2: Primarily those with “Student” status of residence
Type 3: Primarily those with stable, fixed income equivalent to living expenses (¥2.4 million/year or more)
※If you do not fall under any of Types 1-3, or if you fall under both Types, or if you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact the administrative office before applying.
NOTE: Individuals who fall under any of the categories (1) to (4) below are not eligible for support.
(1) Special researchers of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
(2) International students receiving support under the government-funded foreign student program, or international students receiving support through projects implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
(3) International students receiving government-funded research support through programs that assist doctoral students’ independent, challenging, and interdisciplinary research, similar in objective to the “Next-Generation Researchers Challenging Research Program (SPRING)” by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
(4) Individuals receiving scholarships or grants that do not allow them to receive other forms of financial aid.
Financial Support
Type1 Financial support for living expenses: 180,000 yen per month (2,160,000 yen per year)
Type1 and Type2 Financial support for research expenses: 560,000 yen per year
Type3 Financial support for research expenses: 400,000 yen per year
Funding Period
Up to three years from April 2026 (or for students in Medicine Program, up to four years)
NOTE: If the period of enrollment exceeds the standard length of study, any subsequent period will not be eligible for support.
However, the funding period may be canceled, extended (up to two years), or otherwise adjusted based on students' circumstances, including life events such as childbirth and responsibilities such as parenting and nursing care.
Number of Places
Approximately 4 Students
Application Procedures
Applicants must obtain approval from the supervisor at Kochi University to participate in this project and submit (1) the application form (FORM 1) prepared and converted to a PDF file and (2) the Recommendation letter through the Application Form website below.
Application Documents:
(1) Application Form for "Kochi University Future Leaders of Marine Resources Development"
(FORM 1)
(2) Recommendation letter from the supervisor
(FORM 2)
Application Period: Monday, April 6, 2026 - Friday, April 10, 2026 (12:00 noon)
Application Form website:
https://forms.office.com/r/Cs2mWidzCM
NOTE: Please log in with your Microsoft account issued by Kochi University.
Requirements
The selected students must comply with all of the following requirements:
(1) Concentrating on research activities according to the research plans they have submitted. At the end of each semester, the student should be mentored by a mentor group consisting of a primary supervisor and at least two secondary supervisors, and a research progress report should be prepared and submitted to the supervisor.
(2) Students in Type 1 and Type 2 must participate in and take the following educational programs designated by the university.
・Participation in a job-based research internship or an internship or joint research deemed equivalent by the University (including pre-supervision and post-supervision reporting).
・Attendance at the Teaching Fellow training course (after attending the course, the student will act as a Teaching Fellow as much as possible).
・Participation in the "Hope Creation Study Group" held by the Center of Education and Research for Hope-Emergence.
・Participation in the "Young Researchers Exchange Meeting" held by the Project.
・Participation in and presentation at the "Doctoral Course Exchange Meeting" held by the Project.
・Attendance at designated sessions of "Advanced Course in Applied Natural Sciences I" offered by the Applied Science Program.
・Planning and implementation of outreach activities (explanation of the field of specialization to the general public at open campuses, public lectures, etc.).
・Attendance at other seminars, workshops, etc. as designated by the Project.
(3) Complete a program on research ethics education designated by the University.
(4) Students in Type1 and Type 2 must register with the system operated by the National Council for the Promotion of Job-Based Research Internships.
(5) When a decision is made on the course of study after completion of the program, it must be reported promptly.
