English
Q&A (New Next-generation Project)
日本語／English
Project for Developing Front Runners Having Comprehensive Global Knowledge to Lead Future Society (New Next Generation Project)
Q&A
Updated on April, 4, 2024
【１：Eligibility for application】
Ｑ１-１：Can I apply for the Research Fellowships for Young Scientists Program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) after being admitted to the New Next Generation Project? If I’m admitted to the JSPS program, do I have to decline the admission to the New Next Generation Project?
Ａ１–１：Yes, you can apply. However, if you are admitted to the JSPS program, you have to decline the admission to the New Next Generation Project under the current JSPS program. If the JSPS program is changed to allow simultaneous admission to it and the New Next Generation Project, we may look into the matter separately.
Ｑ１-２：Is the standard annual compensation for adequately covering living expenses (2.4 million yen per year) the take-home amount?
Ａ１–２：No. If your stable income exceeds 2.4 million yen per year (before taxes and other deductions), you are not eligible to apply. See the answer to Q3-6 as well.
Ｑ１-３：Which period do you exactly select for calculating my income to determine whether it adequately covers my living expenses (2.4 million yen per year)?
Ａ１–３：One of the application requirements is that you do not have a stable income equivalent to 2.4 million yen or more per year both at the time of application and after admission. Because the standard annual amount is 2.4 million yen per year, the monthly amount of 200,000 yen serves as a threshold.
Ｑ１-４： How can I prove and show that my income is not up to the standard annual compensation for adequately covering living expenses (2.4 million yen per year)? Do I have to submit my tax withholding slip or any other document that shows my income?
Ａ１–４：You do not have to submit such written proof at the time of application. Under the New Next Generation Project, applications are made based on the premise that applicants do not have a stable income equivalent to 2.4 million yen. Keep it at hand, however. We may check it as necessary after we admit you.
Ｑ１-５：I have completed a master’s course at another university. Am I eligible to apply?
Ａ１–５：Yes.
Ｑ１-６：I’m a self-financed international student. Am I eligible to apply?
Ａ１–６：Yes. However, if you receive a scholarship or other financial support from your home country, you are not eligible to apply. Keep in mind that you need to take a career path that will contribute to Japan’s science, technology, and innovation with a view to remaining in Japan after completing the program and to helping Japan become more internationally competitive.
Ｑ１-７：I’m an international student. Can I apply before arriving in Japan?
Ａ１–７：Yes. However, if you fail to arrive in Japan by the first day of the support period, you are not eligible for financial support for living and research expenses until you arrive here.
Ｑ１-８： I’m a recipient of another scholarship or similar grant. Am I eligible to apply?
Ａ１–８：Yes, if you are a recipient of a grant to cover tuition, scholarship loans from the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), or a private scholarship. However, check the rules of your financial support scheme. Some schemes may not allow recipients to receive such financial support from another source. If you are a recipient of a grant-type scholarship that is enough to cover your living expenses (2.4 million yen per year), you are not eligible to apply.
【２：Application documents and procedures】
Ｑ２-１：How specific should I be in describing my research area in “2. Research Plans” in the Application Form (for Support of Niigata University New Next-generation Project)?
Ａ２-１：Be more specific than such a broad classification as “the humanities” so that we can get a clearer picture when we read your description for the first time. “Shinsa Kubunhyo” (classification table for screening) for JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists may help, although you do not necessarily have to follow this classification.
Ｑ２-２：Can I include a presentation I will soon make at an academic meeting as part of my past research activities?
Ａ２-２：Yes, you can if you are given a presentation number and sure to make that presentation.
Ｑ２-３：Is experience in contributing a paper or making a presentation at an academic meeting a must in order to apply?
Ａ２-３：It’s not a must. Describe to what extent you have exercised your agency to work on your research in your application.
Ｑ２-４：I’m enrolling myself in the Graduate School of Niigata University from another university. Can I ask my professor at the university from which I have graduated to fill out the letter of recommendation?
Ａ２-４：You can, but you are most encouraged to ask the host faculty member in the doctoral program at Niigata University. Note that the letter of consent must be written by the host faculty member (doctoral advisor) in the doctoral program at Niigata University.
【３：Miscellaneous matters】
Ｑ３-１：If I’m admitted to this Project, will I be exempt from paying tuition?
Ａ３–１：There is no tuition exemption for this project. If you wish to apply for a tuition exemption, please follow the same application procedures as general students.
Ｑ３-２：If I’m admitted to this project, do I need to move away from the status of being a dependent of my parent or any other person under duty to support me?
Ａ３–２：Tell your parent or any other person under duty to support you that the amount of financial support for living expenses is handled as miscellaneous income under tax law as far as health insurance and family allowances are concerned. Ask him or her to contact his or her employer for advice. Contact your local tax office regarding how the status of being a dependent is handled in income tax.
Q３-３：If I’m admitted to this project, how will my social insurance and pension be handled?
Ａ３–３： No employment relationship will exist between you and Niigata University. If necessary, you are supposed to complete the procedures to join social insurance and pension schemes at your municipality office. If you need a certificate or the like from us for such procedures, contact the Niigata University Administrative Office for Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation.
Ｑ３-４：Is financial support for living expenses subject to income and residential taxes?
Ａ３-４：Because it is handled as miscellaneous income, it is subject to income and residential taxes. You need to file a tax return for this.
Ｑ３-５：If I take a leave of absence, when will the support period end?
Ａ３-５：We will consider individual circumstances in deciding the support period. Consult the Niigata University Administrative Office for Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation beforehand.
Ｑ３-６：After being admitted, Can I take a part-time job? Is there a cap on the income from a part-time job?
Ａ３-６：You can take a part-time job as long as your research or career development and training opportunities are not affected. There is no cap on the working hours of your part-time job, nor is there a cap on the income from it. Because such income is irregular and unstable in nature, it is not considered part of the stable income, which is subject to the limit of “2.4 million yen per year.”
Ｑ３-７：Can I receive external research funds or the like to conduct my research?
Ａ３-７：Yes.
Ｑ３-８：Can I collect research funds by applying for research funding from the central or local governments, private funding organizations, etc., or through crowdfunding?
Ａ３-８：Yes, but before you do so, consult the Niigata University Administrative Office for Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation beforehand.
Ｑ３-９： I don’t need financial support for living expenses. Can I apply only for financial support for research expenses?
Ａ３-９：No. The New Next Generation Project offers integrated support that includes financial support for living and research expenses as well as non-financial support for a better research environment and career development.
Ｑ３-10：Am I right in understanding that your financial support for living expenses is not a scholarship but a research grant?
Ａ３-10：Our financial support for living expenses is not a scholarship. It is rather categorized as a type of research grant.
Ｑ３-11：If I’m admitted to this Project, do I have to take a program on research ethics education?
Ａ３-11：Students admitted to this project need to understand the content of APRIN e-Learning Program (eAPRIN), a program for research ethics and integrity. We offer a program for research ethics and integrity at the outset of the doctoral program. You don’t have to take this program if you have taken or plan to take eAPRIN upon your admission. However, we encourage you to take it if you have taken a different program or if you have taken eAPRIN but are unsure that you have a good understanding of its content.
https://www.niigata-u.ac.jp/contribution/research/ethics/about-re_ethics/(in Japanese)
Ｑ３-12：What am I supposed to talk about in a mentor interview?
Ａ３-12：Your mentor asks about issues and concerns facing you at the time of the interview. They include the situation of your research and your career path options after completing the doctoral program.
【４：Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program (Multi-Laboratory System)】
Ｑ４-１：The Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program (Multi-Laboratory System) requires us to be transferred to a laboratory of a different discipline for a given period. What do you mean by “different”? Do you have any criteria?
Ａ４–１：The Multi-Laboratory System is designed to promote students’ interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and foster their challenging and interdisciplinary research capacity. If you are planning to move onto the interdisciplinary research unit, keep this purpose in mind and make sure that you can explain how and to what extent your original research project differs from the research project you are going to engage in at another laboratory. (You don’t necessarily need to be able to make such an explanation at the time of application.)
Ｑ４-２：Does the Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program (Multi-Laboratory System) oblige us to go beyond the boundaries between disciplines, such as between natural sciences and the humanities or social sciences? Will a discipline similar to my specialty do?
Ａ４–２：Yes, if your research project at another laboratory is deemed to be challenging and interdisciplinary. If you are planning to move onto the interdisciplinary research unit, make sure that you can explain that the research project is deemed to be challenging and interdisciplinary research. (You don’t necessarily need to be able to make such an explanation at the time of application.)
Ｑ４-３： I’m on loan to another university for research. Am I subject to the Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program (Multi-Laboratory System)?
Ａ４–３：As a rule, this program requires students to be transferred to another laboratory on our campus. However, a laboratory outside Niigata University will do as the case may be. Nevertheless, we encourage you to engage in a research project that cuts across different disciplines.
Ｑ４-４：I’m now conducting my research at another laboratory. Am I subject to the Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program (Multi-Laboratory System)?
Ａ４–４：No. As a rule, you are not if you stay at that laboratory on a permanent basis. However, we make a judgment on this issue according to the situation of your research project.
Ｑ４-５：Suppose I can’t possibly find the laboratory that fits me after I’m allowed to move onto the interdisciplinary research unit. Will your support continue?
Ａ４–５：We encourage you to continue finding an appropriate laboratory for you. However, if unavoidable circumstances make it impossible for you to find one, you need to consult your mentor and doctoral advisor. Based on such consultation, we will explore the best solution under the circumstances. We may accept such a solution as an alternative option.
Ｑ４-６：If I’m in the interdisciplinary research unit, do I need to be at another laboratory for about three months every year? And if my temporary laboratory asks me to rethink in-person arrangements due to a coronavirus outbreak or the like, will my time at my temporary laboratory under online arrangements be counted as part of your cross-laboratory study period?
Ａ４–６：As a rule, you are supposed to spend about three months at your temporary laboratory every year except your final year, during which you are not obliged but encouraged to do so. The three-month period may be subject to change depending on the results of consultations with your mentor or doctoral advisor. Your time at your temporary laboratory under online arrangements can be counted as part of your on-campus, cross-laboratory study period.
Ｑ４-７：Should the three-month period of on-campus, cross-laboratory study be a consecutive one?
Ａ４–７：A consecutive period is preferable in that we use the term “for a given period.” However, we can allow a total period of three months, depending on the progress of your research project.
Ｑ４-８：Can I change my temporary laboratory every year? Or should I be at the same laboratory?
Ａ４–８：We don’t limit the number of your temporary laboratories to one. The number may be subject to change because we need to decide on this issue in light of the progress of your research project.
Ｑ４-９：Can I ask an assistant professor without a laboratory to accept me under the Short-Term Cross-Laboratory Study Program?
Ａ４–９：Yes.
Ｑ４-10：Do I have to write a paper while I’m at my temporary laboratory?
Ａ４-10：That isn’t a must, but we strongly encourage you to do so.
Ｑ４-11：Am I allowed to participate in activities such as seminars at my original laboratory during my period of on-campus, cross-laboratory study?
Ａ４-11：Yes.
Ｑ４-12：Where can I find information on professors (laboratories) at Niigata University?
Ａ４-12：Researcher Directory: Information on all faculty members is available. Keyword search is also available.
https://researchers.adm.niigata-u.ac.jp/search?m=home&l=en
Institute for Social Innovation and Cooperation “Tsunagaru Kenkyu -Connected Research-” : This is an introduction to research aimed at promoting industry-university collaboration, and it shows in an easy-to-understand manner the research efforts of the professors.
https://www.ircp.niigata-u.ac.jp/seeds/search (in Japanese)