The Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Advanced Studies (Sokendai) is operated by the National Institute for Physiological Sciences (NIPS) at Okazaki (http://www.nips.ac.jp/eng/). NIPS consists of 19 divisions dedicated to the study of the physiological functions of living organisms including humans. Research areas cover various physiological sciences including morphology, biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular and cellular biology, and information science. Research activities are extensive and comprehensive. Some of our current research involves the molecular structure of ion channels, intracellular dynamics of ions, mechanisms of secretion and cell volume regulation, development and differentiation of neuronal cells, mechanisms of synaptic transmission and neural network formation, and higher brain functions such as processing of sensory information, motor control, learning, and cognition.
To carry out the mission of the institute as a cooperative center for universities and research institutes within and outside Japan, we accept many visiting scientists from all around the world for collaborative projects. Four types of scholarships are possible at NIPS.
The first type of scholarship is the “University Recommendation” MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship.
Each year, at least one “University Recommendation” candidate is selected for the 5-year combined Master’s/Ph.D. program, which starts in October. Please note that this scholarship cannot be held in conjunction with other awards or scholarships. Students wishing to apply for this scholarship should make sure that they discuss their application with their prospective supervisor at NIPS. More information regarding the details of the scholarship is given at the Study in Japan website(http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e.html) and at the JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/scholarships_e.html) website.
The MEXT scholarship covers the following:
- Application fee (30,000 yen)
- Admission fee (282,000 yen, payable only the first year of study)
- Annual tuition fee (535,800 yen per year)
- Return economy-class airfare between Okazaki and the student’s home country
- Monthly stipend (172,000 yen)
The second type of scholarship is a Seiriken Scholarship.
Exceptional students wishing to enter 5-year and 3-year Ph.D. programs at NIPS are eligible to apply for this type of scholarship. It covers the admission fee and the annual tuition fees for successful applicants. Further information can be obtained from scholar@nips.ac.jp
The third type of scholarship is an “Embassy Recommendation” MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship.
Through this system, a certain number of 5-year combined Master’s/Ph.D. scholarships are awarded annually. Applications should be made through Japanese embassies/consulates in the applicant’s home country. (Please note that this application procedure is different from the “University Recommendation” MEXT Scholarships noted above.) Applications are open to candidates of any nationality except Japan, and the scholarship details are the same as those noted above. Please see the Study in Japan website (http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e.html) for more information as well as the list of Japan’s Embassies and Consulates (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html).
Finally, a certain number of scholarships are provided by JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization), as well as private foundations.
For more information on these scholarships, please see the JASSO website at http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/scholarships_sfisij_e.html
Eligibility
In general, candidates must have completed (or be expected to obtain before starting study in NIPS) a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university for acceptance into the 5-year combined master’s/Ph.D. Candidates wishing to enter the 3-year program must have completed a master’s degree or equivalent from a recognized university. People who currently hold Ph.D. degrees are not eligible for any of the above scholarships.
Candidates must be well prepared for the course for which they are applying within the Department of Physiological Sciences. Those candidates who are not native speakers of English are required by the Board of Graduate Studies to provide the results of an English language test and are expected to meet the following standards of proficiency:
- TOEFL (paper-based test):
Minimum overall score of 600, with a minimum score of 5.0 in the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE). - TOEFL (computer-based test):
Minimum overall score of 250, with a minimum score of 5.0 in the essay writing section of the text. - TOEFL (Internet-based test):
Minimum overall score of 100, with a minimum score of 24 in the writing section of the test.
How to Apply
It is essential to secure appropriate supervision before applying for the above scholarships. Therefore, your first step in applying for a scholarship should be to get in contact with at least one of the professors in NIPS (http://www.nips.ac.jp/eng/outline/pub/staff.html) to find out about any technical requirements as well as the range and depth of background knowledge that is needed by successful candidates for admission.
After you have made contact with an appropriate supervisor, please ask him/her to send an application form for the “University Recommendation” scholarship to you. Your application form must be completed and returned to the Board by 6 February 2008.
The Board of Graduate Studies at NIPS consults with the professors responsible for determining admission to the University about the respective merits of each applicant. On the basis of that consultation, applicants who are on the shortlist for the “University Recommendation” MEXT Ph.D. Scholarship will be invited to an interview at NIPS in February every year for the Ph.D. Program starting in October of the same year.
For further information
Questions concerning admission and application procedures should be forwarded to:
scholar@nips.ac.jp
Board of Graduate Studies, National Institute for Physiological Sciences,
Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444-8585, Japan
FAX 81-564-52-7913
Due date: 6 February 2008
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