KUT Special Scholarship Program (SSP) for PhD in Engineering in Japan

Kochi University of Technology (KUT) runs the Special Scholarship Program (SSP) to back advanced research by doctoral students. The university admits selected PhD candidates in April and October each year, and they work on set research projects. Students take the doctoral course in English while helping their host professor with research. Every year, KUT enrolls approximately 15 selected doctoral students. The program is for those who have strong intention to engage in their research projects for the whole three years and aspire to satisfy the degree requirements accordingly.

Kochi University of Technology, Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Japan.

PhD in Engineering. Degree to be admitted: Doctor of Engineering or Doctor of Philosophy depending on the research field.

No more than 3 SSP students can be enrolled concurrently for each project leader. See the SSP project list for details of which projects currently have places available for SSP students. As of October 2013, 42 PhD candidates from 13 foreign countries were studying under the program.

International students.

(1) Exemption from the 30,000 yen entrance examination fee, 300,000 yen enrollment fee, and 535,800 yen per year tuition fee.
(2) 150,000 yen per month for living expenses in return for research project work. You must pay some amount of taxes from this salary.
(3) 150,000 yen for travel and initial living costs. This is given only to international applicants living outside Japan when they apply, and who have, or have the intention to acquire, “Student” status of Japanese residence at the time of entry into Japan.

You must meet all of these conditions:

(1) You have or will get a master's degree before the KUT enrollment date.
(2) You are 35 years old or younger at the time of enrollment.
(3) You have an excellent academic record and strong bachelor's and master's degrees from reputable universities.
(4) You intend to work on one of the designated research projects and have the knowledge and research skills for it.
(5) You have high English proficiency.

Choose one or two research project(s) from the SSP Research Project List, then complete and send all required documents by post. We do NOT accept any application by e-mail. All the required documents must arrive at KUT by the deadline. The deadline for April and October semesters is 30 September of the previous year. Another deadline for the October semester is 31 March of the same year.

Check the official website (link below) for full details on how to apply.