Hiroshima University has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as an implementing institution for the “Broadening Opportunities for Outstanding young researchers and doctoral students in STrategic areas” Project for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation AI Researchers”, Hiroshima University will support 7 doctoral students per year (21 students in 3 years) starting in FY 2024. 

This program is designed to support doctoral students who have established the next-generation AI field (AI field and emerging/combined fields in the AI field) as a national strategic field with high urgency, and who intend to engage in research and development contributing to this field, by providing them with sufficient funds for living expenses (stipends) and research expenses.  The purpose of this program is to develop students who have the ambition and ability to pioneer and lead the field of next-generation AI into leading scientists by earnestly promoting and leading research in this strategic domain, thereby not only increasing the ranks of researchers but also enhancing innovation and strengthening industrial competitiveness.

Following its selection as the implementing institution for this project, our university will establish the "Project for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation AI Researchers at Hiroshima University." Centered on AI and emerging, integrated areas within AI as core fields, and leveraging our university's distinctive expertise in specific areas along with the comprehensive strength spanning human social sciences, the project aims to cultivate talent who will contribute to realizing the future society envisioned by our country (Society 5.0). This will be achieved not only through narrow AI technologies such as image recognition, natural language processing, speech processing, and prediction but also by overcoming social challenges with various AI technologies that are expected to further develop in the future.

Under this project, each selected doctoral student will receive annual stipends of 3,000,000 yen (equivalent to living expenses) and annual research expenses of 900,000 yen. In addition, students selected for this project will be able to participate in “HU SPRING,” a place for emergence where students can interact and collaborate with each other beyond their own areas of specialization, as established under the “Hiroshima University Emergent Next Generation Researcher Development and Support Program”. This participation includes access to our university's unique content for enhancing transferable skills and support for career development.

Through this program and other support systems, the University will contribute to the creation of science, technology, and innovation in Japan by creating an environment in which students can concentrate on their research.

Please refer to the following link for the “Project for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation AI Researchers at Hiroshima University” call for applications.