Kochi University of Technology Special Scholarships

The Special Scholarship Program (SSP) is for doctoral candidates doing project-based research at Kochi University of Technology, under the doctoral program in the Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering. The scholarship is administered as a program term of one year, extended in one-year increments up to a total term of three years unless the university terminates the SSP student status for specified reasons.

SSP is for applicants who have permission from the leader of their chosen SSP project and who meet academic, age, and English proficiency requirements. Enrollment time is April/October. Selection is limited in capacity, with no more than three SSP students enrolled concurrently for each project leader, based on availability shown in the SSP project list.

Eligibility to apply depends on obtaining project-leader permission before submitting a formal application. After submission, the admission decision is made following screening of documents, a web interview, and an exam in the specialized subject required for the selected research project. Support requires working on the project for 50 hours per month, reporting achievements at the end of each semester, and meeting doctoral completion conditions that include credits and publication of peer-reviewed papers by a time before completion.

• Permission from the leader of the applicant’s preferred SSP project to apply for that project
• Hold a degree from an accredited institution comparable to the master’s degree offered at Kochi University of Technology after completing 18 years of education, or be scheduled to acquire such a degree before the Kochi University of Technology enrollment date
• Be 35 years old or under at the time of enrollment, in principle
• Have an excellent academic record and strong bachelor’s and master’s degrees from reputable universities
• Have the intention, adequate knowledge, and research skill to work in the research project
• Have high English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 72 OR IELTS 5.5 OR CEFR B2 OR CET6
• For continued completion requirements as an SSP student: complete 3 years of enrollment in a doctoral program at Kochi University of Technology
• For continued completion requirements as an SSP student: earn 10 or more doctoral course credits
• For continued completion requirements as an SSP student: successfully complete the doctoral dissertation defense after receiving a preliminary assessment held more than one year in advance
• For continued completion requirements as an SSP student: publish two or more papers in high-level peer-reviewed journals at least two months before completion of the program (basic requirement for holding a dissertation defense)

• Exemption from 30,000 yen entrance examination fee
• Exemption from 300,000 yen enrollment fee
• Exemption from 535,800 yen/year tuition fee
• 150,000 yen/month salary for research project work to support living expenses (some taxes must be paid from this salary)
• 150,000 yen provided for travel and initial living costs (given only to international applicants living outside Japan who have, or intend to acquire, “Student” status of Japanese residence at the time of entry into Japan)
• Insurance premium charged to newly admitted foreign doctoral students: about 33,000 yen (and 3,000 yen for students who do not have “Student” status of Japanese residence; price subject to change)
• Dues for alumni association: 10,000 yen

1. Choose one research project from the SSP Research Project List.
2. Send a completed Online Pre-Application Request to the leader of your preferred project using the KUT Online Pre-Application Request Form, at least 6 weeks before the application deadline.
3. After receiving permission from the project leader, complete all required documents.
4. Submit the required documents to Kochi University of Technology by post, ensuring they arrive by the deadline.
5. After submission, the university conducts document screening, a web interview, and an exam in the specialized subject for the selected research project.