TANIGUCHI SCHOLARSHIP

International Student Scholarship Program,

Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University

Background
There have been many students who come to Japan from ASEAN countries and obtain their doctorate degrees.
However, Japanese universities have rarely offered international students regular faculty positions. Thus, regardless
of how excellent or ambitious the person may be, it is common for the students to return to their home country or
move to America or Europe in search of a stable position to continue their research. These circumstances are not
beneficial either to the student or to Japan. In the future, the provision of opportunities to work at universities or
research institutes in Japan regardless of nationality is considered vital for the acceleration of scientific development
and for Japan to maintain its position as a technological power.
Taking this situation into account, the Research Institute for Microbial Diseases(RIMD) at Osaka University has
established a scholarship program to not only accept superior graduate students from universities in ASEAN
countries to a degree program at RIMD, but also to provide leadership and support afterward for those students to
become independent researchers. Particularly excellent candidates will be offered a regular faculty position at RIMD
with a view to performing on the world stage. This new scholarship program aims to significantly contribute to the
development of science by training world-leading researchers from the international students taught at RIMD.

Eligibility
Any student enrolled at a university designated by RIMD in ASEAN countries, planning in principle, to enter a masters
or doctorate degree at the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine or to enter into the first year or transfer
into the third year of a doctorate degree at the Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences in April 2016. Any student
failing to gain postgraduate status will be excluded from the scholarship program. Eligibility is only for those who are
less than 30 at the time of commencement of the scholarship on April 1, 2015.
- Prior to advancement to graduate school, students will be enrolled as research students at RIMD from October
2015, and will perform research activities for six months. If the students Japanese abilities are insufficient they will be
required to take a course in Japanese. Any student who is interested in Japan and Japanese culture, is willing to learn
the language, has an understanding of the Japanese social system, and who wishes to continue research in Japan is
encouraged to apply.

Terms
The period of time required to complete a graduate degree (standard course length: Graduate School of Medicine
masters degree is 2 years, PhD is 4 years, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences is 5 years) and plus time enrolled
as a research student. Remuneration will be 2.5 million yen a year. This amount includes course fees and housing
costs. The amount for time spent as a research student will be calculated on a monthly basis.
Particularly excellent students, once they have gained their degree, will be offered a regular faculty position at RIMD
after a period as a postdoctoral fellow. In addition, proactive application to scholarships offered by the Ministries such
as Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is encouraged.
- In principle, scholarship money is subject to income tax. Students will need to pay income tax, and residents tax
themselves. Enrollment in national health insurance and the national pension fund are also required.
- During the period enrolled in the doctorate program, monies will be paid directly to the student from the Research
Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University as scholarship funds.
- Payment of scholarship money may not be possible immediately upon arrival in Japan. It is strongly recommended
to bring approximately 100,000 yen in funds for expenses when you arrive.

Positions available
Approximately two students a year
Application
A university designated by RIMD must provide a referral. Details for application will be sent to the contact at
designated universities.

Selection
RIMD Selection Committee will examine the application documents and academic record as well as interview
applicants. If there are more than two candidates from a university rank them in order of precedence. The laboratory
the student will join will be decided taking into account the preferences of the student and the needs of the laboratory.

Other
Scholarship students must report on academic performance when requested by RIMD. If the student behaves either
academically or otherwise in a manner not befitting a scholarship student, or is found to be benefitting from a
scholarship from another source that exceeds the amount permitted by this program, this scholarship will cease or
the period of payments will be reduced.

Application guidelines
Documents required
1) Prescribed application form
2) Prescribed referral letter from supervisor. Signature must be handwritten by the supervisor.
3) Academic transcript, in English, from last school. Certificate in native language is acceptable (with a translation in
English or Japanese attached). If the final transcript is issued by the department then a department certificate is
acceptable.
4) Copy of diploma (Certificate of graduation, completion or expected completion for final degree) must be in English.
5) Materials to objectively prove language ability or special expertise (e.g. TOEFL certificate)
6) Proof of excellent academic performance at last university (e.g. GPA or ABC classification, specific class rank
(number ? among ?) etc. any index that shows academic performance).
7) Copy of valid passport
8) Certificates for qualifications (degrees etc., if not received at time of application, supply immediately upon receipt)
9) Notification of admission to Graduate School at Osaka University or Certificate of Enrollment (supply immediately
upon receipt)
10) Copy of residence card (as soon as obtained after arrival in Japan)
11) Statement of Purpose
12) Health Statement
*In addition to the above documents for Taniguchi scholarship, successful candidate may be required the English proficiency when they
take the entrance examination for graduate school of Osaka University (e.g. TOEFL PBT: 487, CBT: 163, iBT: 57 or higher, taken within 2
years). Since the admission requirement is different from each faculty (you can choose the faculty, either Graduate School of Medicine
or Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences) and course, we recommend applicants to read carefully the admission guideline of each
faculty from the website below and based on the guideline, register for the test (TOEFL etc.) early, as locations or dates may be
unavailable otherwise. Furthermore, to confirm whether applicants would meet the admission requirements of each faculty (age,
degree, educational background, etc.) is strongly recommended as well.
Graduate School of Medicine: 2-year master course and 4-year doctor course
http://www.med.osaka-u.ac.jp/eng/visitors/prospective/index.html
Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences (FBS): 5-year doctor course in which a master's degree can be earned en route to the
doctors degree. If you have already master's degree, you can transfer into the 3rd grade of FBS.
http://www.fbs.osaka-u.ac.jp/eng/applicant/admission.php

Other requirements
All application documents must be sent to Fumio Hotta, Planning Office, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases
(RIMD) by EMS or FedEx. Applications by email or facsimile will not be accepted.

Address
Fumio Hotta(Ms), Planning Office, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University
3-1, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan 565-0871 / Tel: +81-6-6879-4262