Q&A

*Please click here for FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding the application. (Updated on 2024/12/26)

 

What is the amount of the research encouragement funding (equivalent to living expenses) and research budget?

The research encouragement funding is 2,200,000 yen per year, and the research budget is 400,000 yen per year.

Is it possible to apply for a Research Fellows (Young Scientists) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science while receiving the OU-SPRING?

It is possible.
However, it is not possible to receive them at the same time, so if you are selected for both, you will have to decline the OU-SPRING. Please contact the OU-SPRING Office as soon as you find out whether you have been selected as a JSPS Research Fellows or not.

Are there any restrictions or points to note regarding the use of research budget?

The OU-SPRING recipients will be asked to prepare a research plan (including an expense execution plan) for each fiscal year, and the expenses deemed necessary to carry out the research plan will be allocated for each fiscal year. Expenses can be used for a wide range of purposes, in accordance with the University’s accounting rules, as necessary to carry out research, however, for example, if the expense plan for the final year includes the purchase of computers, tablet PCs, digital cameras, etc., which should be prepared at the initial stage of the research, we may ask you to confirm the necessity of such purchases. And please note that research budget must be used appropriately under the supervision of the university (under the supervision of a supervisor).
In addition, research budget from the OU-SPRING cannot be carried over to the next fiscal year. Please ensure that all research budget allocated for the fiscal year are fully executed within the fiscal year.

If I travel abroad for an extended time during my OU-SPRING grant period, will I be able to continue to receive the research encouragement funding?

If you are traveling for reasons related to your own research, such as study abroad or joint research, you will continue to receive the funding.
However, depending on the contents of the travel, the funding may not be paid. Please be sure to notify the OU-SPRING Office of all overseas travel, including exchange students, language students, academic conferences, and personal travel (sightseeing trips, homecomings, etc.).

Is the research encouragement funding (equivalent to living expenses) subject to income tax and inhabitant tax?

The research encouragement funding is treated as miscellaneous income and is subject to income tax and inhabitant tax. Please note that you are required to file your own tax return.
The OU-SPRING Office will prepare the payment record required for the tax return and send it to the recipient for the previous year in January in principle.

If I am selected for the OU-SPRING, do I need to be removed from the support of my dependent (parent, etc.)?

Please inform your supporters (parents, etc.) that the research encouragement payment is treated as miscellaneous income for tax purposes, and contact the person in charge at their workplace, etc., regarding the treatment of dependents in health insurance, support allowance, etc.
Also, please inquire at your local tax office regarding the treatment of dependents for income tax purposes.

If a recipient takes a leave of absence from school while receiving OU-SPRING, how is this handled?

The research encouragement funding and research budget will be suspended at the start of the leave of absence, and will be restarted after the student returns to the university. Since decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, please contact the OU-SPRING Office as soon as possible if you plan to take a leave of absence.

If a recipient graduates early while receiving OU-SPRING, how is this handled?

At the time of graduation, the OU-SPRING support will also end. If there is a possibility of early graduation, please contact the OU-SPRING Office as soon as possible.

If I am selected for the OU-SPRING, can I work part-time for a short period of time or do TA/RA?

There is no problem as long as it does not interfere with your work on research and career development/training content.

Will there be an employment relationship between the OU-SPRING recipients and the university?

There is no employment relationship. For this reason, you will need to manage your own social insurance, pension, etc.

Are there any restrictions on career paths after graduation? For example, is it possible to work at a research institute or at a Japanese company outside Japan?

There is no restriction on career paths, as long as it is consistent with the purpose of OU-SPRING, which is “to cultivate young researchers capable of playing important roles in science, technology and innovation creation in Japan”.

When presenting research results obtained using research budget of OU-SPRING, how should the acknowledgements be worded?

When presenting research results obtained through this project in a paper, conference, etc., please be sure to clearly state that the research was subsidized by this project. An example is shown below.

【Example】
・Japanese:本研究は、JST次世代研究者挑戦的研究プログラム JPMJSP2126 の支援を受けたものです。
・English:This work was supported by JST SPRING, Japan Grant Number JPMJSP2126.

Is it possible to change the research content during the OU-SPRING adoption period?

Please contact the OU-SPRING Office to submit a change request form.

Is it necessary to attend the Program on Research Ethics Education?

The OU-SPRING recipients are required to attend and complete the “eAPRIN (formerly CITI)” program on research ethics education. The OU-SPRING Office will inform you of this matter separately at the time of adoption, so please be sure to respond to the request.

Is it necessary to register on researchmap?

Doctoral students at Okayama University are required to register on researchmap. The OU-SPRING Office will inform you of this matter separately at the time of adoption, so please be sure to respond to the request.

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