About the Project

• Project Overview
• Greetings from the Director
• Support System

Project Overview

In September 2021, the "Next-Generation Researcher Support Project Utilizing the Highly Interdisciplinary Nature of the University of Miyazaki" was selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) for its "Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation." "Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation" is a project that supports challenging, interdisciplinary research by doctoral students, who are the future leaders of science, technology, and innovation in Japan, and encourages them to improve their research skills and develop their research capabilities so that excellent doctoral human resources can be active in various careers.

This project aims to lead doctoral students to become doctoral human resources who can be active in various career paths by integrally managing research conducted by individual doctoral students and their career development and training content, utilizing the University's highly interdisciplinary nature.

To this end, existing and new programs established through collaboration between the University and the local community will be implemented for promising doctoral students who are oriented toward challenging research.

By providing an environment in which excellent doctoral students can devote themselves to academic research by offering a research incentive grant (180,000 yen per month) and research funding (400,000 to 700,000 yen per year), and by conducting joint research not only with their supervisors but also with experts in different fields both inside and outside the University (including companies), the goal is to cultivate next-generation researchers who have developed transferable skills (versatile skills that can be used across occupations, regions, and industries) and the strength to succeed even in a difficult environment.

About Transferable Skills

The project aims to cultivate the following skills.

• Task-handling skills：Building projects by assembling steps from the final objective
• Self-management skills：Mindset to proactively solve problems by yourself, and project manager qualities
• Interpersonal skills：Presentation, communication, and negotiation skills to communicate correctly and effectively with others

Greetings from the Director of the Next-Generation Researcher Support Office

　　In 2024, the University of Miyazaki renewed the "Next-Generation Researcher Support Project" to help graduate school students. The Next-Generation Researcher Support Office promotes this project. I am Masahiro Ikeda, the director of the Office.

　　Recently, there was an accident with the Benikouji-koresutehelp in Japan. How have you felt about this accident? I think many people have felt that even with modern science, there are more things we do not understand than we thought. In fact, there are more things that are unexplained than expected, and it depends on everyone to see them as seeds of research and proceed with them.

　　The "Next-Generation Researcher Support Project" receives support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), a national research and development agency. So far, 76 universities have been selected. The official name of our project is "Next-Generation Researcher Support Project based on Miyazaki University's Advanced Interdisciplinary Integration". Two interdisciplinary graduate schools contribute to this project: one is the Graduate School of Agricultural Engineering, established in 2007, and the other one is the Graduate School of Medical and Veterinary Medicine, established in 2010. Both are the only interdisciplinary graduate schools in Japan.

　　Financial support for this project is generous, with living expenses of 180,000 yen per month and research expenses of 400,000 to 700,000 yen per year. A total of 41 people is scheduled to be supported for the period from 2024 to 2026. Those eligible for financial support will be selected after a review by the Selection Committee. In this selection process, important things include whether you have your own research ability and skills to spread it to others (transferable skills). Also, we would like to look at things like whether you have the will to lead the future of innovation, and whether you can acquire the strength to survive even in a harsh competitive environment.

　　JST may continue to offer cooperation to the Next-Generation of researchers for 10 years after graduation. We look forward to receiving applications from proactive students who are intellectually curious, able to accomplish their goals, and responsible for leading Japan, a science and technology-based nation.

Support System