MEXT has announced the following policy: "Support for the stipends (equivalent to living expenses) shall be limited to Japanese students." Accordingly, the "Program for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation of Innovative Researchers at Hiroshima University" implemented under this initiative will only support individuals holding Japanese nationality or who possess certain residence statuses, such as permanent resident status

■Eligible Recipients of the “Program for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation of Innovative Researchers at Hiroshima University (SPRING)”  (applicable to those supported from April 2026)

Individuals who meet any of the following nationality requirements or residence status criteria:
1. Japanese nationals

2. Special Permanent Residents  
  (persons residing in Japan as Special Permanent Residents stipulated in Article 3 of the “Special Act on Immigration Control” (入管特例法))

3. Permanent Residents  
  (persons who have been granted permanent resident status by the Minister of Justice)

4. Spouse or Child of Japanese National  
  (spouse, child, or specially adopted child of a Japanese national)

5. Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident  
  (spouse of a Permanent Resident or Special Permanent Resident, or a child born in Japan and continuously residing in Japan)

6. Long-Term Residents  
  (limited to persons who fall within certain categories, including certain Indochinese refugees, certain Vietnamese refugees, third-generation Japanese descendants, spouses of Long-Term Residents, biological children of naturalized Japanese nationals, Permanent Residents, Special Permanent Residents, or Long-Term Residents, Chinese remaining in Japan and their descendants, and foreign parents supporting biological children of Japanese nationals, among others, and who are recognized as having the intention to permanently reside in Japan)

7. Dependent  
  (limited to persons who meet all of the following conditions:
  • born in Japan or first entered Japan by the end of the school year in which they turned 12 years old;
  • completed elementary through high school education in Japan; and
  • intend to work and reside on a long-term basis in Japan after completing a doctoral program)


In addition, Hiroshima University has independently established a support program for international students, the “Hiroshima University Global Doctoral Fellowship.”

International students holding a student visa or similar residence status are encouraged to apply for the “Hiroshima University Global Doctoral Fellowship.”

Please note that this information session will focus only on the "Program for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation of Innovative Researchers at Hiroshima University (SPRING).”

For information on the “Hiroshima University Global Doctoral Fellowship,” please refer to the following webpage:
https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/fellowship/globaldoctoralfellowship

The application guidelines and application documents for the “Hiroshima University Global Doctoral Fellowship” will be published on the website on Monday, May 18.
 

This session will provide an overview of the support provided under the “Program for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation of Innovative Researchers at Hiroshima University (SPRING),” as well as important points to note when preparing application documents.

Students who fall under the following categories and are considering applying to this program are strongly encouraged to attend:
- Students enrolled in the doctoral program (Doctoral Course) from April 2026
- Prospective students planning to enroll in the doctoral program in October 2026 or April 2027
- Other students considering enrollment in a doctoral program in the future

Please note that the “Project for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation AI Researchers at Hiroshima University” has already reached the maximum number of participants that can be supported by the University through previous application rounds, and no further applications are planned.
 

(1) Thursday, May 21, 2026, 17:00–18:00  
Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, Integrated Arts and Sciences East Lecture Hall K209

(2) Monday, May 25, 2026, 17:30–18:30  
Kasumi Campus, Ryoun Lecture Building R201

*The same content will be covered in both sessions.
*The session will be conducted in Japanese.
*Presentation materials and a video recording from the session will be made available on the website after the session.
If you are unable to attend, please review the materials and video at a later date.
 

1. About the Program for Developing and Supporting the Next-Generation of Innovative Researchers at Hiroshima University (SPRING)  
Overview of the program, the desired researcher profile, and details of the support provided

2. Important Points for Application Preparation  
Explanation of key considerations for applying and important points for completing the application documents

3. Other (Q&A session)

*The application guidelines and application documents will be published on the website on Monday, May 18.*
 

Please apply using the form below:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/zznmkpX2XD

*We require a response to this form from those who plan to attend in order to determine the number of attendees. 
*It is not necessary to notify us if you will not attend.