Center for Promoting Graduate StudiesCenter for Promoting Graduate Studies

The Center for Promoting Graduate Studies is a university-wide
organization responsible for planning, coordinating, and advancing common
educational programs and research support for graduate students.

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Tohoku University Advanced Graduate School
LEAP Program

Comprehensive support package for Doctoral Students

Tohoku University was officially accredited as University for International Research Excellence on December 24, 2024. We have been supporting the doctoral course students from the Pioneering Research Support Project, funding from the JST’s “Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (known as SPRING)” and the Research Initiative for International Scholarly Excellence Program (AGS RISE Program) as our initiatives.

Tohoku University will significantly expand its comprehensive support package for doctoral students starting in April 2026. This initiative aims to cultivate outstanding researchers who will thrive on the global stage and produce next-generation highly specialized professionals who will drive social innovation, ensuring a promising career path for them.

We will cultivate doctoral talents equipped not only with research capabilities, but also with an international perspective, creativity, and the ability to implement solutions in society. Furthermore, we will foster highly successful doctoral graduates who can create new value based on their research achievements.

The leap to the future: Supporting Next-Gen PhD Talents

  • ① Incentive Stipend (Standard Track): All eligible doctoral students (subject to conditions*) receive JPY 1,272,000 per year.
  • ② Incentive Stipend (DP-Track): Exceptionally outstanding students affiliated with the graduate degree programs receive JPY 2,400,000 per year.
  • ③ Full tuition waiver: Apply to all doctoral students enrolled in dedicated degree programs. To significantly encourage Japanese students to pursue doctoral studies, tuition and entrance fees will be fully waived for all Japanese doctoral students.
  • ④ RAs, TFs, TAs, AAs: Expand opportunities for students to receive salaries. Additionally, we remain committed to further enhancing student support.
  • ⑤ Research grant support: Financial support for travel and related expenses is provided through a competitive selection process to enhance the global research output of doctoral students.
  • ⑥ Career Development & Research Excellence: Enhanced programs to strengthen research skills and transferable skills for diverse career paths.
LEAP Program Stipend
  • Eligibility and How to Apply

    Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

    • 1) As of April 1, 2026, be enrolled in the 1st through 3rd years of 3-year doctoral curricula, or the 1st through 4th years of medical, dental, or pharmaceutical curricula
    • 2) Not fall under the restrictions on simultaneous awards.
    • 3) Not have exceeded the standard period of study.
    • 4) Not be on a leave of absence.

    Note: Students who are enrolled in the 2025 AGS RISE Program, the Pioneering Research Support Project, and the Next-Generation AI Expert Development Project are not required to complete this procedure

    For more information on application guidelines and methods of the “Standard Track,” please contact your affiliated graduate school directly. If you are a student of the graduate degree program, please follow your affiliated degree program office for detailed procedures for “DP-Track."

    Note: The DP-Track is exclusively available to doctoral students enrolled in one of the following 16 degree programs: International Joint Graduate Programs, Academia-Industry Collaborating Graduate Programs, or Division for Interdisciplinary Advanced Research and Education.

  • Advanced Graduate School Training Programs

    The Advanced Graduate School Training Programs provide on-demand resources to help doctoral students develop transferable skills, strengthen research capabilities, and prepare for diverse careers. Completion of these programs is mandatory for all Tohoku University Advanced Graduate School LEAP Program participants.

    If you are in the DP-Track or Standard Track, you must complete specific required courses. Detailed information on content and deadlines is available on your respective recipient-only Google Site.

    Important: The links below lead to internal Google Sites. You must be logged into your Tohoku University Google account to view them. Access via personal accounts is not permitted.

    For DP-Track

    For Standard Track

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