On this page, we will introduce “tips for a fulfilling research life” that will benefit as many people as possible, as well as introduce financial support systems for graduate students such as SPRING GX, the Distinguished Graduate Program, and JSPS Research Fellowship.

Research life checkpoint

Make a research plan

Research begins with choosing a research topic. In particular, it is essential to create a "research plan" spanning several years that can be carried out in graduate school. Furthermore, it would be ideal if this could be positioned in the prospect of research after graduation from graduate school.
To make a research plan, first of all, research previous research. On top of that, discovering what is lacking in previous research leads to setting novel and specific research themes. For example, in theoretical research, finding and correcting inconsistencies in theories of previous research, and in experimental research, increasing the yield of a certain substance, etc. may be seen as specific research subjects.

Participate in seminars and workshops

In many graduate schools, seminar classes that take the form of presentations and discussions are called "semi". Many graduate students plan their courses based on seminars rather than lectures.
In addition to regular seminars, many voluntary study groups are also held. These seminars have fewer participants than seminars, and bring together researchers with similar specialties. Seminars are limited to 90 to 100 minutes, while seminars can last from two hours to five hours or even longer. It is very useful to exchange information and comment on each other's research through such a forum. Participate in these workshops to hone your research skills.

Enjoy your research life

It's easy to overlook, but it's also important to maintain an attitude of "enjoying your research life." If you come to university only for research, you will be mentally exhausted, and as a result, your research may be adversely affected. In addition, one of the major characteristics of graduate school is that you learn a lot from your seniors in addition to the teachers. All the seniors have learned and grown from their own experiences, so they will be happy to consult with you. In particular, when you write a thesis or an application form for the JSPS Research Fellowship, be sure to show it to your seniors for their comments. If you get to know seniors personally, you will be able to hear about their thoughts on research and long-term research goals, which cannot be learned from research presentations alone.

Let's join the academic society

The Society has three major functions. First of all, it is a place to present my research. Secondly, it is a place to gather information. Thirdly, it is a place for researchers to interact with each other. Therefore, while there are of course benefits to presenting, participating in academic conferences can also yield significant benefits even if you do not present. Check the information on each academic society's website, posters, word of mouth, etc.
There are large-scale international conferences where researchers from all over the world gather, and there are also homely conferences where dozens of people attend each time. In general, large-scale academic societies attract a large number of front-line researchers. On the other hand, smaller academic societies have the advantage that it is easier to deepen friendships among researchers.

Literature search recommendation

Literature search is one of the most important skills in research, regardless of science or humanities. Books necessary for research and study University of Tokyo OPAC, and you can easily search for specialized papers using the dedicated site. In addition, in many cases, academic papers that normally need to be purchased are not available for on-campus access or EZproxyYou can read it for free by using I have introduced the main literature search sites below, but there are specialized search sites for each field, so first ask your professors and seniors about the search methods that are mainly used in your field. The number of citations and impact factor can be used as a guide to know important papers in your research field. Mastering literature searches and reading many papers will be the gateway to research.

Introduction to major literature search sites

Often used when searching for Japanese papers

CiNii

University of Tokyo site for cross-searching academic information such as literature

Literacy

A Google service dedicated to academic papers

Google Scholar

Mainly used mainly in science

Web of Science

Please note that access to Web of Science requires authentication from the University of Tokyo.EZproxyIf you use the UTokyo Account from , you can access it even when you are off-campus, so let's make use of it.

Introduction to the library

The University of Tokyo Library website introduces not only the University of Tokyo's collection search, but also many reference search sites. Inter-campus delivery service (login to MyOPAC required) is convenient.

University of Tokyo Library

Scholarship/Research Grant System

As with undergraduate students, there are various scholarships and research grants available for graduate students. However, there are some differences from undergraduate students. For example, at the time of application, you may be asked to submit a research plan and a letter of recommendation from your supervisor. On the other hand, depending on your research results, you may be able to receive a larger amount of support than undergraduate students, or be exempted from the obligation to return them.
Here, we introduce representative subsidy programs. In addition, there are cases where the affiliated laboratories provide individual assistance such as placement of teaching assistants and research assistants, travel expenses, and book expenses. Let's actively listen to seniors in the laboratory.

private foundation scholarships

The amount of money to be paid, the method of application, and whether or not the university conducts internal selection, etc., differ from foundation to foundation. Please check with your department for details.

Scholarship index

Examples of Private Foundation Scholarships

100,000 yen per month (paid every 6 months, no repayment required), 1 year, deadline May 11 (2021)

Toyota Dwango Advanced Artificial Intelligence Scholarship

Japan Student Services Organization Scholarship Program

I am obliged to return it. It is divided into first type (interest-free) and second type (interest-bearing). For master's students, the former is paid 50,000 yen or 88,000 yen per month, and the latter is paid from 50,000 yen to 150,000 yen per month. You can choose. Only Category 1 students will be exempted from repayment of all or part of the scholarship if they are recognized (by examination within the graduate school) as having made particularly outstanding achievements.

Independent Administrative Institution Japan Student Services Organization

SPRING-GX

Advanced Human Resource Development (SPRING GX), which leads Green Transformation (GX), is one of the next-generation researcher challenging research programs (SPRING) promoted by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). It is a project that has been Starting in October 2021, recruitment will be conducted for students from all graduate schools in the doctoral course, and a total of about 600 students have been hired. Adopted students will be provided with the SPRING GX core program, as well as an advanced skill development program from the WINGS International Graduate Program (WINGS) selected at the time of application. In addition, students can receive financial support such as research grants and research expenses until they complete their doctoral course or exceed the standard term of study.

Financial support for SPRING GX adopters

• Research scholarship
  • 180,000 yen/month. Free use for living expenses, etc. Treated as miscellaneous income for tax purposes.
• Research funding
  • In addition to a uniform payment of 340,000 yen/year, additional payments will be made after screening for overseas travel expenses. It can be used to purchase goods and books necessary for research, travel expenses for business trips, honorariums for collaborators, etc.

Experiences of seniors

We will deliver the experience of a senior who applied for SPRING GX and was adopted.

Mr. D (Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Doctor 1) Hired in October 2021

Selected WINGS: International Graduate Program for Excellence in Intelligent Society
​
I applied for JSPS DC1 in my second year of master's program and DC2 in my first year of doctoral program, but both were rejected. When I received the DC2 rejection notice, SPRING GX had just started recruiting for the October 2021 term, so I decided to apply.

When you hear the word GX, you might think that research must be directly related to energy and global environmental issues, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The application guidelines for SPRING GX state, "In this project, we regard the global environment, which is the common property of mankind, as green transformation (GX), which is a change in society to better manage it and pass it on to future generations." Yes, and the range of GX in SPRING GX is quite wide. Actually, my research field is more fundamental than application-oriented among majors, but I thought that it was deeply related to GX in the broad sense written in the application guidelines, so when I wrote the application form, Adopted. In preparing the application form for SPRING GX, I was conscious of positioning my own research within the broad definition of GX, based on the research plan written in the DC2 application form. Also, after I applied for DC2, the paper I was the main author of was accepted for the first time at a peer-reviewed international conference, and I was able to write it in the application form for SPRING GX, which may have worked in my favor.

When applying, please note that depending on the type and amount of other financial support you are receiving as of the reference date, you may not be eligible to apply, and there will be certain restrictions on overlap with other financial support from the university after adoption. It is mentioned that it takes Please read the application guidelines carefully and contact the SPRING GX Business Management Office if you have any questions. If you are engaged in or plan to engage in RA, TA, part-time work, etc. on campus, be especially careful, and if you have any questions, please check with the secretary of the laboratory or the office of the department in charge. You should take

Developing advanced human resources to lead the Green Transformation (GX)

Distinguished Graduate Program

The Distinguished Graduate Program is one of the projects promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. “Doctoral human resources (advanced “knowledge professionals”) who can lead the creation and utilization of new knowledge, create value that will lead the next generation, take on the challenge of solving social issues, and bring innovation to society. )”, we are recruiting from each university for a combined master’s and doctoral education program. Some of them deal with issues that span multiple specialized fields, while others deal with issues that require a high degree of specialization beyond the level of general graduate schools.
After going through a selection test and document screening, if you are selected as a program student, you will take classes in the Distinguished Graduate Program. Many programs offer scholarships and subsidize all or part of the associated research and training costs.
For master's students who are not covered by JSPS, it is a valuable means of obtaining funds. Furthermore, many programs bring together students and faculty members with different specialties, so I think it's a great environment to think about the significance of one's own research and to look at problems from a different angle. Yes. There is a lot of burden, such as the need to pass the qualification exams, to advance to the next grade or higher school, but if you find something that matches your research theme, you should actively apply. Depending on the program, information sessions may be held or applications may be accepted as early as the first year of the master's program, so be sure to gather information as early as possible.

Examples of the University of Tokyo's Distinguished Graduate Program

The University of Tokyo has several programs. Most of the programs limit the application qualifications depending on the affiliated department (graduate school). First, find out which programs you can apply for from your department.

The main targets are the Graduate Schools for Law and Politics. The purpose is to "strengthen graduate school education in terms of both theoretical research and acquisition of practical knowledge in the rapidly changing business law field in a broad sense, in close collaboration with practice."

Advanced Business Law International Distinguished Graduate Program

Department of Physics, Department of Astronomy, Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Department of Chemistry, Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Mathematical Science, Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences. "Using state-of-the-art physics and mathematics", "by fundamental knowledge of physics and mathematics", "skills and knowledge that enable breakthrough progress that opens up the frontier and changes the world" “Learn” program.

Advanced physics and mathematics programs that drive change

Part of the majors within each of the Graduate Schools of Medicine, Graduate School of Engineering, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Graduate School of Science are eligible. Develop human resources who can contribute to human health from a long-term perspective.

International Graduate School of Life Science and Technology

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship

Lastly, I would like to introduce the “JSPS,” to which many graduate students apply every year. The application procedures for JSPS start from the second year of the master's program at the earliest, but even those who are new to the master's program should know this as a preliminary knowledge.
The JSPS Research Fellowship Program (commonly known as “JSPS”) is a program run by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science to support outstanding young researchers. JSPS has "PD" for doctoral students and "DC" for doctoral students, and DC is further divided into "DC1" and "DC2". "DC1" is for three years from the first year of the doctoral course, and "DC2" is for two years from the second year of the doctoral course.
“DC” applicants are eligible for the following subsidies: No refund is required.

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship

Grants Available to DC Adopters

Research scholarship
200,000 yen/month. Free use for living expenses, etc.

Research funding
Up to 1.5 million yen/year. It is limited to specialized books, research equipment, conference participation fees, etc., and it is necessary to report the use.

Write your research plan on the JSPS application form. Some say that this made him reconsider his own research. If you have seniors in your laboratory who have experience with JSPS, it would be a good idea to ask them for more detailed information, including how to formulate a research plan and how to communicate it.

How many people are employed?

2019Student Life SurveyJSPS adoption and application status of doctoral students

receiving scholarship	25.1%
I applied but was not accepted	32.2%
Not eligible to apply	12.7%
No need to receive scholarship	10.7%
others	19.3%

From the above data, we can see that 43.8% of the graduate students of the University of Tokyo were hired after applying to JSPS.Japan Society for the Promotion of Science web pageSince the adoption rate of DC announced by the is about 20%, it can be said that the adoption rate of graduate students at the University of Tokyo is somewhat high.

JSPS Application Process

Here, we will introduce the application process for DC1 and DC2 for 2022 in chronological order. Please note that the administrative schedule may differ depending on the department you belong to. For details, please contact the office of each department.

Experiences of seniors

We will deliver the experiences of seniors who have applied for scholarships and have been unofficially accepted.

Mr. K (Doctoral 2nd year, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences) DC2 (Agricultural and Environmental Studies) Hired in 2020

I didn't apply for DC1 because I had no intention of going on to college. I applied for DC2 for the first time when I was in the first year of my doctoral program, but was rejected. I would like to spell out my experience while mixing in my experience of not being hired last time.

Research achievements

There are four main items to fill out in the DC application form: “research results,” “research plan,” “research achievements,” and “qualities as a researcher.” , “research plan,” “self-analysis of research performance ability,” and “ideal researcher image, etc.”). Of course, every column is important, but it is said that achievements, especially the number of papers, have a large impact on the acceptance or rejection of an application. In my case, there was no report of the first author's paper last time. Thanks to the support of my supervisor, I was able to submit a paper as the first author based on my master's thesis. I feel that this led to the job offer.

Easy-to-understand application form

The selection of DCs will be made by six judges of the "Research Fellow Examination Committee, which consists of front-line researchers in Japan" (from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science website). The point is to write an application form that conveys what you want to convey to the judges in a short amount of time. In my case, last time I just asked my supervisor to take a look. I didn't have much time to complete the application form, so I think it was a "rough-cut" application form. This time, I had my seniors and juniors in the lab, and even my friends who don't know much about my research, look at the application form. By getting opinions from many people, I was able to notice mistakes that I would not have noticed on my own. In addition, I have participated in the JSPS seminars held by academic societies and studied the techniques of writing good application forms by looking at the application forms of prospective applicants. Various groups seem to hold seminars, so it would be a good idea to participate before applying.
In addition to this, I have had various experiences such as taking the University of Tokyo FFP and staying for a week at an overseas research institution to conduct research. Of course, it became a topic to appeal in the application form, but I think that I was able to have an experience that led to skill improvement as a researcher.