UTEC Young Researchers’ Challenge Support Program
Application Portal for the 11th Call
The University of Tokyo ・ Komaba Research Campus
Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology & Institute of Industrial Science
2026 Version
2026 Version
1. Purpose
The Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology and the Institute of Industrial Science established the UTEC Young Researchers’ Challenge Support Program, using the UTEC Designated Donation from The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners Co., Ltd. (UTEC). The program aims to contribute to the development of outstanding and highly motivated young researchers who are expected to play active roles internationally in the future.
2. Program Content
Covering all fields of natural sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences being researched at The University of Tokyo Komaba Research Campus, this program provides financial support including living expenses and travel costs to enable researchers to freely explore their abilities and potential through opportunities to meet with researchers at overseas research institutions.
Program recipients are required to submit a plan before departure and a report after returning, present at a debriefing session, and cooperate in efforts to further develop and promote the program.
3. Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
i. i. At the time of application, applicants must belong to a laboratory at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology or the Institute of Industrial Science and fall into one of the following categories:
• Assistant professor
• Researcher employed by the University (including project-based Specially Appointed Researchers)
• Graduate student, including working professionals enrolled in Master’s or Doctoral programs
• 4th-year undergraduate student
Specially Appointed Assistant Professors or Researchers employed with specific project funds must declare at the time of application that there is no conflict with their funding source or required effort allocation.
ii. In principle, the applicant must not have any prior experience staying outside of Japan (or outside of their home country in the case of international applicants) for research purposes for a continuous period of 3 months or longer.
4. Duration of Visit
Approximately 2 weeks from the start of travel. Recipients must, in principle, complete their travel and return within 8 months after adoption. For the 11th round recipients, return should be completed by the end of March 2027.
5. Host Institutions and Activities
In principle, applicants must visit distinguished overseas research institutions such as universities or companies. However, cases involving fieldwork without a specific host institution are also eligible.
International applicants may designate research institutions in Japan, such as universities or companies, as their host.
Applicants are encouraged to include in their plans activities such as:
• Visits to multiple institutions
• Meetings for collaborative research
• Seminars to present their research
• Participation in educational programs
• On-site fieldwork and data collection
Before traveling, applicants must obtain approval from the host institution (e.g., via email). Applications intended solely for attending international conferences are not eligible.
6. Financial Support
Financial support will be provided in accordance with the University of Tokyo Travel Expense Regulations, covering transportation, accommodation, daily allowances, miscellaneous travel expenses including overseas travel insurance, local transportation, and communication expenses necessary during the program period, up to a maximum of 700,000 yen. Flight tickets are limited to economy class round-trip tickets at the lowest price available at the time of application.
Extension of the period by adding personal funds or laboratory funds is also permitted. However, the maximum dispatch period is approximately 1 month. The amount of support for each expense follows university regulations.
7. Application Procedure
Applicants must upload a PDF of the completed “Application Form” and any relevant supporting documents to the designated websites by the deadline.
The application form must describe the status of communication and negotiations with the prospective host institution/laboratory. Supporting documents such as email exchanges may be submitted but are not mandatory. A finalized agreement with the host is not required at the time of application.
Applicants must handle all arrangements with the host institution themselves and obtain the consent of their academic supervisor / laboratory PI before applying.
Application deadline for 2026: Monday, June 15, 2026, by 13:00 (JST)
Submit your application here
8. Selection process
Selection will be determined by the UTEC Young Researchers’ Challenge Support Program Review and Management Committee within one month after the application deadline. Applicants and their academic supervisors / laboratory PIs will be notified of the provisional selection results. The selection results for the 11th call are scheduled to be announced between late June and early July.
The review criteria include comprehensive evaluation of items such as the details and feasibility of the plan, the applicant's enthusiasm, the challenge level for the applicant, and expected outcomes.
Recruitment is conducted once per academic year, with approximately 7 researchers/students selected through an open call, although the number may vary based on the quality of proposals.
9. Post-Selection Procedures and Obligations
Selected applicants must promptly finalize arrangements with the host institution and submit a detailed travel plan within approximately one month of selection.
If any changes arise from the original application (e.g., destination, dates), a written explanation must be submitted. Depending on the nature of the changes, the committee may re-evaluate the application and possibly withdraw the selection.
Within approximately two weeks after return, applicants must submit a report. They are also required to present their outcomes at an information session held during the next call for applications.
Insurance Requirements:
• Students must purchase the University’s “Gakkensai-Futai Kaigaku” overseas study insurance or equivalent travel insurance that covers the entire travel period. Contact the program office at least 6 weeks before departure to begin the process.
• Non-student participants must purchase travel insurance equivalent in scope to the above.
Students must also check with their department’s administrative office regarding any procedures required for overseas travel.
10. Other Notes
If the applicant requires special considerations regarding host institution or timing due to personal circumstances, such requests should be clearly indicated in the application form.
11. Contact Information
・Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST)
The Office of Educational and Research Support (ext. 55385)
E-mail: kenkyou.rcast@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
・Institute of Industrial Science (IIS)
Research Grant Office, Accounting Division （ext. 56838）
E-mail: rk.iis@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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