Hiroshima University’s proposal, “Developing a New Peace Science Alongside Emerging Global Young Researchers” has been selected by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) as an implementing institution under the EXcellence Program for Engaging Research Talent – Japan (EXPERT-J) on September 30, 2025.

This program will invite four young researchers (including one research team) from international research institutions such as the University of Central Florida (United States) and the University of Queensland (Australia).

This program is funded by investment gains from the Japan University Fund, announced by the government to realize the “J-RISE Initiative.” It aims to strengthen Japan’s research capabilities and promote the long-term establishment of outstanding international young researchers, including Japanese, by hosting them under world-class conditions at Japan’s top-level universities, in line with the concept of Universities for International Research Excellence.

In addition to Hiroshima University, a total of 11 universities, including the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, have also been selected for this program. The amount of support funding provided under this program for each invited researcher is as follows.

〈Support Funding for Invited International Young Researchers〉

・International Young Researcher (equivalent to PI): 30 million yen per year (salary and research expenses)

・International Postdoctoral Researcher: 15 million yen per year (salary and research expenses)

・International Doctoral Student: 5 million yen per year (salary or stipend and research expenses)

During the selection process, our proposal was recognized as meeting the requirements and being of high quality, and the plan and operational structure were deemed sufficient for implementation. Hiroshima University will welcome international young researchers who share the newly established philosophy of Peace Sciences and are eager to create new social values. The university will accelerate the development of international hubs and promote industry–academia collaboration in its featured research fields and key research bases, thereby fostering globally educated individuals.

The invited international young researchers will aim to establish themselves not temporarily, but on a long-term basis as faculty members who play a central role in strengthening Hiroshima University’s research capabilities. In addition, we will support them in becoming leaders of research teams and key figures in global collaborative research. They will compete with researchers from other universities in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions under the Strategic Professional Development Program for Young Researchers (HIRAKU-Global Program) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

As specific support measures, we will offer a tenured position at the time of hiring, which is normally granted after successfully passing the tenure review process. In addition, we will allocate “Reform and Strengthening Points,” managed centrally by Hiroshima University, to ensure that researchers can continue focusing on their work with confidence even after the support period ends.

Through this program, Hiroshima University will provide an environment that enables the invited international young researchers to devote themselves fully to their research, thereby contributing to the creation of science, technology, and innovation in Japan.

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