Program Overview

Introduction to the Next-Generation Fellow Program

The Next-Generation Fellow program, part of the Hiroshima University's Creative Next-Generation Researcher Development and Support Program, offers research dedication support funds and research expenses to its recipients. To receive this support, fellows must fulfill the following obligations:

Obligations of Next-Generation Fellows

• Develop and implement a one-year research plan annually, focusing on research activities based on the plan.
• Regularly report the status of research activities to the university.
• Cooperate with various surveys, particularly the career tracking survey after graduation for 10 years.
• Participate in university programs aimed at enhancing research capabilities.
• Receive necessary research ethics education based on the "Hiroshima University Regulations on Research Ethics Education for Research Activities."
• Participate in initiatives and activities organized by "HU SPRING" and HIRAKU-PF, including mandatory participation in "3QUESTIONS" and active participation in the "Future Doctor 3-Minute Competition."
• Register for the job-type research internship account, which is mandatory.

Research Planning and Reporting

Fellows must create a research plan and dedicate themselves to research activities based on this plan. The format and submission period for the research plan and activity reports will be announced to the fellows through the Hiroshima University Online Learning Support System (Moodle).

Cooperation with Surveys

The university conducts annual surveys, and fellows are required to cooperate, especially with the career tracking survey after graduation. Details about the surveys will be announced through Moodle.

Participation in Research Enhancement Programs

The university offers various support programs to enhance research capabilities, and fellows are encouraged to utilize these programs actively. The programs include:

• Research Support Program: Supports joint research expenses among students from different research fields, up to approximately 1 million yen per project.
• Worldwide Research Activity Support Program: Supports research leave and research activities abroad, up to approximately 1 million yen per project.
• Japanese Language Education Program for International Students: Aims to improve the Japanese language skills of international student fellows through educational programs.
• English Education Program: Designed to enhance the English skills of fellows through educational programs.
• Skill-Up Event Planning Proposal: Supports the planning and operation of events that contribute to the skill formation of researchers, up to approximately 500,000 yen per project.

Research Ethics Education

All students engaged in research activities, including fellows, are required to receive research ethics education. This education aims to prevent misconduct and promote fair research activities by teaching researchers the necessary ethical norms. At Hiroshima University, research ethics education is compulsory for all staff and students involved in research activities, based on the "Hiroshima University Regulations on Research Ethics Education for Research Activities." Students are required to take the "Research Ethics Education (Graduate School Basic)" in their first year and "Research Ethics Education (Graduate School Advanced (M), (D))" before starting their thesis.

Participation in HU SPRING Initiatives and HIRAKU-PF Activities

Fellows are encouraged to participate actively in initiatives organized by HU SPRING and activities introduced by HIRAKU-PF, with mandatory participation in "3QUESTIONS" and active participation in the "Future Doctor 3-Minute Competition."

Job-Type Research Internship Account Registration

Registration for the job-type research internship account is mandatory for fellows. This internship is a long-term, paid, job-type internship system collaborated between industry and the university, where internships lasting more than a month are implemented as part of the regular educational curriculum. The evaluation from the internship can be utilized for employment and job placement. As of April 2024, approximately 30 companies, including JX Metals, CyberAgent, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Asahi, Hitachi, Ltd., Sumitomo Chemical, and INPEX, participate as host companies for the internship.