Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science,
Nagoya University

Starting from April of the Reiwa 2nd year, in accordance with the law on support for student learning at universities and other institutions, scholarships and tuition fee reduction measures have been introduced for undergraduate freshmen and current students entering institutions that have undergone institutional requirements verification. Nagoya University has been designated as an eligible school since the start of the Reiwa 2nd year.

From the Reiwa 6th year, the system will be revised and expanded to support child-rearing and other related aspects. Additionally, there are plans to establish a tuition payment system for graduates of master’s programs and to relax the requirements for the fixed repayment system (fixed amount repayment) for those repaying scholarships, reducing their monthly repayment amount.

〉Please proceed with the internal procedures here.

〉For more details about the system, please visit here (Ministry of Education).

Scholarship System: There are “loan-type” scholarships and “grant-type” scholarships. Implementing bodies include the Japan Student Services Organization, local governments, foundations, private companies, and universities. Grant-type scholarships are expanding, and there is also a trend toward relaxing the loan criteria and flexible repayment methods for loan-type scholarships. For more details, please refer to the following and contact the implementing body’s website or inquiry desk.

〉Scholarships offered by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) can be found here.

〉Scholarships offered by universities, local governments, etc., can be found here.

〉Scholarship system funded by the Nagoya University Specific Fund can be found here.

〉For information regarding the Faculty of Science Specific Fund project, please refer here.

The Special Researcher Program provides outstanding young researchers in Japan with the opportunity to focus on their research projects under their own initiative, selecting research topics and more. This program aims to cultivate and secure researchers, essentially supporting highly qualified doctoral students in the latter stages of their studies as researchers.

There are two types of support available: DC1, which provides support for 1 to 3 years from the first year of the doctoral program, and DC2, which provides support for 2 years from the second year of the doctoral program. The application period is from the second year of the master’s program onwards (spring semester). If accepted, recipients will receive a monthly stipend (¥200,000 in the 5th year of Reiwa) and research funds (up to ¥1.5 million per year). Being certified as a Special Researcher can lead to significant recognition. The Department of Chemistry has a high acceptance rate and a strong track record of selection.

Starting from the 5th year of the Reiwa era, a program has been launched to support the employment of young researchers to improve research environments. Previously, recipients of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s Special Researcher Program (PD, RPD, CPD) were able to conduct research at universities and other institutions after completing their doctoral programs, but they were not employed and faced instability. With this new program, it is now possible to employ these researchers at the host research institutions. This is expected to stabilize research environments, effectively cultivate outstanding young researchers, and further improve the research-focused environment.

〉The Special Researcher Program can be found here.

〉The program to support the employment of young researchers for the improvement of research environments can be found here.

At Nagoya University, various support systems are in place for students regardless of their faculty or graduate school, aiming to provide them with a sense of security in pursuing higher education by complementing other support systems available elsewhere. Specifically, these include exemption or deferment of entrance fees, exemption of tuition fees, support for graduate students by internal institutions, support through employment such as TA and RA positions to gain work experience, accommodation in university dormitories, student welfare programs, as well as career and job placement support, along with various counseling services. These systems create an environment where students can lead stable student lives while utilizing these support systems.

〉The tuition waiver/deferment system can be found here.

〉The tuition exemption system can be found here.

〉The Nagoya University Fusion Frontier Fellowship Program and the Tokai National Higher Education and Research System Fusion Frontier Next Generation Research Program (a program for doctoral students conducted by the Doctoral Program Promotion Organization) can be found here.

The TA/RA/QTA/GSI Employment Program (for master’s and doctoral students)

In recent years, graduate students have become more actively involved in undergraduate and graduate education and research as teaching assistants (TAs) or research assistants (RAs). TAs assist with undergraduate classes and experiments, with around 60 master’s students hired each year.

RAs participate in research projects within their respective laboratories, assisting with equipment management and promoting effective research activities. Approximately 5 doctoral students are hired each year. Graduate students, while receiving compensation, have the opportunity to become leaders in education and research, providing them with excellent training opportunities.

〉Career and job placement support program 1 (Career Support Center) can be found here.

〉Career and job placement support program 2 (Career Path Support for Doctoral Students and Postdocs) can be found here.

〉Campus life program 1 (International Residence Halls, dormitories operated by companies and foundations, international student dormitories, etc.) can be found here.

〉Campus life program 2 (Student Education and Research Disaster and Accident Insurance (Gakken-sai): Insurance mainly related to academic activities) can be found here.

〉Campus life program 3 (Part-time job placement service: Student Information Center Co., Ltd., cooperatives, etc.) can be found here.

〉Campus life program 4 (List of welfare facilities) can be found here.

〉Campus life program 5 (Membership with art museums and museums for free admission) can be found here.

〉Consultation service 1 (General student life: Student Support Headquarters) can be found here.

〉Consultation service 2 (Harassment in general: Harassment Consultation Center) can be found here.

〉Consultation service 3 (Health consultation and health checkups in general: Health Management Office) can be found here.

〉Consultation service 4 (Exclusive for science students: Science Student Counseling Room) can be found here.

〉Consultation service 5 (Exclusive for science students: Study abroad consultation) can be found here.

In the 21st century, a further leap in the level of basic science is crucial, and there is an expectation to generate a wide range of creative scientific and technological innovations. In this fluid and complex era of obscurity, the cultivation of excellent human resources is essential to serve as the driving force for opening up a prosperous future.

While the Chemistry Department is widely recognized as a center of chemistry research and education worldwide, to further its development, it is crucial to provide distinctive, high-quality education to young researchers. To meet this demand, we are enhancing our schooling.

We consider it our responsibility in the Chemistry Department to produce high-quality talent for society by appropriately evaluating and honoring the potential qualities and research abilities of young researchers. To achieve this, we have established our own recognition system, a recommendation program for society awards, and a collaboration recognition program with the Chemistry Department alumni association.

1. Chemistry Department’s unique commendation system

<Outstanding Thesis Award>
Eligibility: Students in the master’s program who have passed the master’s degree examination
Description: Recognizes up to three students each year, awarding a certificate and a commemorative gift
Selection: An examination by a selection committee chaired by the Dean of Academic Affairs is conducted each year.

<Japan Chemical Society Tokai Branch Director’s Award>
Eligibility: Graduates of the undergraduate and master’s programs with outstanding academic records
Description: Three undergraduate students and two master’s students are recognized, receiving a certificate and a commemorative gift.
Selection Criteria: A selection committee is established annually to review and recommend candidates.

〉Here is an overview of the Japan Chemical Society Tokai Branch Director’s Award.

<Chemistry Department Alumni Association Thesis Special Award>
Eligibility: Students in the master’s program who have passed the master’s degree examination
Description: One student is recognized each year, receiving a certificate and a commemorative gift
Selection: An examination by a selection committee chaired by the Dean of Academic Affairs is conducted each year.

2. Commendation system implemented by the Faculty of Science

Based on the educational philosophy of the Faculty of Science at Nagoya University and the purpose of the Faculty of Science Specific Fund, the Faculty awards the Dean’s Commendation from Reiwa 2 (2020) and the Faculty Encouragement Award from Reiwa 1 (2019) to students enrolled in the Faculty who have achieved outstanding academic performance. These awards aim to encourage students’ learning and research activities.

<Faculty Encouragement Award>
– Target Audience: 3rd-year undergraduate students
– Description: A few students are recognized, receiving a certificate.
– Selection: A selection committee chaired by the Head of the Department selects outstanding students based on their performance up to the 2nd year of undergraduate study.

<Dean’s Commendation>
– Target Audience: 4th-year undergraduate students
– Description: One student is recognized, receiving a certificate and a supplementary prize.
– Link: https://www.sci.nagoya-u.ac.jp/kikin/

3. Commendation system implemented by Nagoya University

<President’s Commendation (Academic Achievement Division)>
– Target Audience: Undergraduate students affiliated with the university (limited to regular students)
– Description: A few students from the entire university, with one recommendation slot from the Faculty of Science. They receive a certificate and a supplementary prize.
– Selection: Each year, a selection committee chaired by the Head of the Department recommends candidates.
– Link: https://web-honbu.jimu.nagoya-u.ac.jp/gakumu/souchou_kenshou/index.html

<Academic Encouragement Award>
– Target Audience: Graduate students in the doctoral program affiliated with the university (typically limited to students within the standard period of study)
– Description: A few students from the entire university. They receive a certificate and an academic encouragement grant.
– Selection: Each year, a selection committee chaired by the Head of the Department reviews and recommends candidates.
– Link: https://www.nagoya-u.ac.jp/academics/recognition/nu_incentive/index.html

<Akasaki Student Encouragement Award>
– Target Audience: 1st-year doctoral students affiliated with the university
– Description: Two students in the field of science and engineering. They receive a certificate and a supplementary prize.
– Selection: Each year, a selection committee chaired by the Head of the Department reviews and recommends candidates.
– Link: https://www.aip.nagoya-u.ac.jp/academic-research/syonogoannai/akasaki-gakusei