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Okayama University Science, Technology, and Innovation Creation Fellowship (OU Fellowship) [Academic Year 2021・2022] Application Guidelines

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2021年09月10日

　Okayama University established the Okayama University Science, Technology, and Innovation Creation Fellowship (OU Fellowship (Type A) ) in April 2021 to assist students enrolling in the doctoral degree program and to cultivate young researchers capable of promoting Okayama University priority research fields with the intention of cultivating researchers capable of playing important roles in science, technology and innovation creation in Japan. And we start accepting applications for the 2022 academic year.
　In addition, because of Okayama University is adopted for the Support Program for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation, which is new program by JST, we accept applications for “OU Fellowship (Type B)” for the 2021 and 2022 academic year.
　At that time, we will accept applications for both Type A and B in the same schedule.

【OU Fellowship Information Session (Japanese Only) 】

　The recording of the information session held on September 17 has been posted.
　OU Fellowship FAQ

1. Eligible Graduate Programs and Students [Doctoral degree program only]

2. Planned Enrollment Capacity

○2021 ([Type B] only)

Approx. 30 students (Approx. 10 students per grade)

○2022 ([Type] A and [Type B])

[Type A] Approx. 10 students
[Type B] Approx. 10 students

3. Amount

○Type A

　OU Fellowship Type A consists of research encouragement funding and a research budget. The amount to be provided is as shown below.
　(1) Research Encouragement Funding: 1,800,000 yen per year (150,000 yen per month)
　* In principle, funding is paid every two months.
　* Research encouragement funding is provided for living expenses with the intention of helping to enable successful applicants to concentrate on their research.

　(2) Research Budget: Up to 600,000 yen per year
　* To be distributed after submission of the research plan to the secretariat every academic year.

　The period of distribution of the research encouragement funding and the research budget is the period, beginning from April 2022 in which the successful applicant is enrolled in the doctoral degree program (second semester), five-year doctoral degree program, or four-year doctoral degree program, which is three years in principle, and must be within the standard period of completion.

○Type B

　OU Fellowship Type B consists of research encouragement funding, a research budget and a research grant (special category). The amount to be provided is as shown below.

　(1) Research Encouragement Funding: 1,800,000 yen per year (150,000 yen per month)
　* In principle, funding is paid every two months.
　* Research encouragement funding is provided for living expenses with the intention of helping to enable successful applicants to concentrate on their research.

　(2) Research Budget: Up to 400,000 yen per year
　* To be distributed after submission of the research plan to the secretariat every academic year.

　(3) Research Grant (Special Category): Up to 700,000 yen per year [
　This research grant is distributed to students who submitted their own proposals and received high evaluations in each academic year based on the submitted proposals.
　* The research grant (special category) is additionally provided to OU Fellowship Type B recipients who submit their own approaches to increase their (1) international perspective, (2) research capability, and (3) career awareness. The period of distribution of the research encouragement funding, the research grant and the research grant (special category) is the period, beginning from April 2022 in which the successful applicant is enrolled in the doctoral degree program (second semester), five-year doctoral degree program, or four-year doctoral degree program, and must be within the standard period of completion.

[Notes (For Both Type A and B)]

　In the case that the applicant for OU Fellowship Type B is the recipient of the following scholarships, the relevant scholarship amount shall be adjusted that the total annual amount of the scholarship and OU Fellowship will be 2,400,000 yen.
　(1) Ohmoto Ikueikai Student Grant
　(2) Okayama University Scholarship to Support Students in Doctoral Degree Programs (Second Semester)
　(3) Other scholarship provided by a graduate school or division of Okayama University (excluding one-time award for enrollment) 
　 If you have any questions about handling of the applicants who have already received these scholarships for 2021 academic year, please contact to “10. Contact/Address to Send Your Application (OU Fellowship Secretariat)”.

4. Duration

○2021 ([Type B] only)

October 1, 2021～ (within the standard period of completion)

○2022 ([Type] A and [Type B])

April 1, 2022～ (within the standard period of completion)
※ [Type A] is for 3 years in principle.

5. Application Procedure

　The application form can be filled out in English.

　Students who have a desire to receive the OU Fellowship funding and budget must fill out and submit the following documents:
　・Application Form
　・Certificate of Estimated Income (For working individuals, etc. who have a regular income)
　・Evaluation Form

　Submission Deadline: Sunday, October 3 (24:00 JST) [No Exceptions]
　Address to Send Your Application: OU Fellowship Secretariat　*Please submit via email.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ou-fellowship@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp

　Applicants must ask their individual advisors (planned) or someone familiar with their research to fill out and submit the designated Evaluation Form. (The Evaluation Form must be submitted directly to the secretariat by the person who completes the Evaluation Form.)
　Please ensure sufficient time to complete the procedures for each form.

○2021 ([Type B] only)

○2022 ([Type] A and [Type B])

※Okayama University priority research fields

6. Selection Process

　Successful applicants will be determined through document screening and online interview conducted by the OU Fellowship Screening Committee. The results of the document screening will be announced to the applicants by the end of October. Applicants who have passed the document screening will receive details regarding the online interview. The online interview is scheduled for early November. The results of the online interview will be announced to the applicants during November.
　If a successful applicant declines the OU Fellowship, the Fellowship will be awarded to another applicant.

7. Selection Criteria

　Okayama University awards OU Fellowships to applicants who are highly motivated to learn and conduct research, and they are expected to promote research in the priority fields designated by Okayama University and to play important roles in science, technology, and innovation creation in Japan in the near future. Applicants are comprehensively evaluated in the following areas:
　(1) The ability to set innovative research themes supported by creativity and deep insight
　(2) Exceptional ability to pursue their research
　(3) High communication ability

8. OU Fellowship Recipient Obligation

　Successful OU Fellowship recipients are obligated to take research ethics education classes specified by Okayama University, concentrate on research activities based on their own research plans, and pursue the following items to form their particular career paths after the acquisition of the degrees: (Details will be announced following selection.)
　(1) Submission of research progress reports for each academic year (September and March, in the designated OU format)
　*Type B requires the recipients to report the progress of research supported by the research grant (special category).
　(2) Periodical interviews with mentors (once every two months in principle)
　(3) Participation in programs related to the improvement of research capability and support for career path (internship, meetings with companies, seminars, etc.)

9. Notes

(1) Successful OU Fellowship applicants are required to submit a pledge to concentrate on research activities, etc.
(2) Successful OU Fellowship applicants do not have an employment relationship with Okayama University; however, research encouragement funding is listed as miscellaneous income under tax law and is considered taxable income. Therefore, successful applicants must file income tax returns.
(3) Research budgets will be used appropriately under the supervision of the university (advisor).

10. Contact/Address to Send Your Application (OU Fellowship Secretariat)

Yoshida/Kanemoto, Research Support Office
Email: ou-fellowship@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp
Phone Number: 086 251 8462
※Please contact us by email as much as possible.