For those who wish to pursue a doctoral degree in medical, pharmaceutical, or health sciences
The S-HIGO Fellowship Program, which has been adopted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) as the University Fellowship Establishment Project for the Creation of Science and Technology Innovation, helps students enhance their research skills and develop their career path.
Built on the foundation of the HIGO Program, which was adopted as part of MEXT’s Program for Leading Graduate Schools, the S-HIGO Fellowship Program aims to produce doctoral graduates who have advanced research skills as well as a multidisciplinary mindset and practical abilities.
＜Orientation for Recruitment of S-HIGO Program Students＞
This video is a second recruitment video. For more information about the third recruitment, please check the application information page.
＜Orientation for Implementation of Tuition Exemption for Excellent Master’s Course Students＞
The S-HIGO Fellowship Program aims to produce highly skilled doctoral graduates who will be able to play important roles at universities, research institutes, enterprises, governmental agencies, or medical facilities in the health and life sciences field, and to help them realize their career path.
Students selected for this program who fulfill the specified criteria will be eligible to receive a research grant and a living expenses stipend which will help them concentrate on their research throughout the specified support period.
Students are provided with the opportunity to dedicate themselves to their research without being concerned about finances.
·Living expenses stipend: 1,800,000 yen per year (150,000 yen per month)
·Research grant: 200,000 yen per year
·Tuition fee support: full tuition fee exemption for AY2022
Eligibility for application:
A.Students who are enrolled in the first year of the 3-year doctoral course or the second year of the 4-year doctoral course of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Health Sciences as of April 1st of the year in which they start to receive the grants.
B.Students who are enrolled in the first year of the 4-year doctoral course of the Graduate School of Medical Sciences as of April 1st of the year in which they start to receive the grants.
(See also the Application Guidelines for details as the criteria above for both A and B may vary depending on the year.)
*The grants will NOT be awarded to: students who are supported by the special research fellowship program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; international students who are supported by the MEXT scholarship program; or international students who are supported by a scholarship program from their home country. In addition to these criteria, applicants need to fully understand other eligibility conditions.
Students are provided with the opportunity to acquire research skills as well as the multidisciplinary mindset and practical abilities that are required in society.
*Students are required to dedicate themselves to their research activities. In addition, they must take the courses that are required to complete their graduate school program, in addition to the required courses in the S-HIGO Professional Fellowship Program.
■Students are provided with career support suitable for doctoral students!
●Industry-academia mentorship program
(e.g. review, instruction, and consultation related to research progress, course completion status, and future career)
●Progress Report on Generic Skills (PROG)
(for understanding acquired skills, strengths, and weaknesses)
●Tutorials covering a wide range of topics
(including language studies, completion of application forms, research presentation, and job searching)
●Interaction with researchers and human resources personnel from companies
●Seminar for successful job searching
Through the education in the Graduate Schools of Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Health Sciences under the industry-academia collaboration, the program aims to produce doctoral graduates who have advanced research skills in the health and life sciences field and are able to draw a panoramic view of the future of the health care system and society, in order to plan and implement effective strategies for solving complex health problems and to create innovation.
Possible future careers of graduates
In the S-HIGO Fellowship Program, students must fulfill the requirements for completing their graduate school as well as take the required number of courses from both the Research Skill Enhancement Package and the Career Support Package to earn the required number of credits.
Research Skill Enhancement Package
Course Name
# of Credits
Compulsory
Elective
S-HIGO Special Practical Course
(Students will conduct research in different laboratories in rotation)
1
〇
Liberal Arts Course for Graduate Students – Research Forefront and Knowledge Integration
1
〇
S-HIGO Cutting-Edge Research Seminar A
1
〇
S-HIGO Cutting-Edge Research Seminar B
2
〇
*Four or more credits including credits from both compulsory and elective courses
Career Support Package
Course Name
# of Credits
Compulsory
Elective
S-HIGO Internship I
1
〇
S-HIGO Project
2
〇
S-HIGO Leadership Training Course
1
〇
S-HIGO Governmental and Business Seminar A
1
〇
S-HIGO Governmental and Business Seminar B
2
〇
S-HIGO Internship II
1
〇
*Five or more credits including credits from both compulsory and elective courses
Headquarters for Admissions and Education, Graduate Program Education Promotion Division （Kumamoto University, Student Affairs Department Academic Services Division）
