The University of Tokyo ・ Komaba Research Campus
UTEC Young Researchers’
Challenge Support Program
The University of Tokyo ・ Komaba Research Campus
UTEC Young Researchers’
Challenge Support Program
1. Purpose
The Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology and the Institute of Industrial Science will establish the "UTEC Young Researchers’ Challenge Support Program" utilizing the "UTEC Designated Donation" from The University of Tokyo Edge Capital Co., Ltd. (UTEC), to contribute to the development of outstanding young researchers who are enthusiastic and 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 return, as well as present at a debriefing session, and cooperate in the future activation of this program.
3. Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
i. At the time of application, the applicant must be one of the following affiliated with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology or the Institute of Industrial Science:
• Assistant professor
• Researcher employed by the University (including project-based Specially Appointed Researchers)
• Graduate student (Master’s or Doctoral, including working students)
• 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 students) 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 10th round recipients, return should be completed by the end of March 2026.
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 students may designate Japanese institutions 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
Based on The University of Tokyo Travel Expense Regulations, transportation costs, accommodation fees, daily allowances, travel miscellaneous expenses (including overseas travel insurance), and transportation fees will be provided, along with communication costs necessary during the program stay 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 advisor (lab supervisor) before applying.
Application deadline for the 10th round: Thursday, June 19, 2025, by 12:00 noon (JST)
Submit 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, and provisional acceptance or rejection will be notified to the applicant and supervising faculty member (laboratory head). The 10th round selection results are scheduled to be announced from late June to early July.
The review criteria include comprehensive evaluation of items such as the concreteness 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 open application, 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 expected 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.
NEW ! to all those who have been selected :
Planning form is here
Submit from here
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)
Ms. Kitabayashi
Specialist of The Office of Educational and Research Support (ext. 55385)
E-mail: kenkyou.rcast@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
・Institute of Industrial Science (IIS)
Mr. Sasaki
Senior Specialist of Accounting Division （ext. 56015）
E-mail: rk.iis@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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