MEXT Scholarship 2024

Overview of the scholarship

Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences was allowed to take part in “Special program for priority placement of foreign students” approved by Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT).
The following application guidelines were created for selection of students willing to take part in this special postgraduate academic program (PhD course). This program is mainly composed of Neuroscience-laboratories, Bioinformatics-laboratories and Infectious Disease-laboratories, however, we are able to accept students in the laboratories of other medical fields.
In accordance with the following terms and conditions, student admitted as a member of the above mentioned special academic program (PhD course) will be regarded as a regular student of Niigata University.
The target regions for this recruitment are Southwest Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives) and Southeast Asia (ASEAN) (Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos).

Application Guidelines for 2024(Updated!)

The application guidelines for 2024 have been released by MEXT. The following required documents must be submitted according to the guidelines.

Application Guidelines 2024.pdf

Application has ended.

<Documents to be submitted>

　(1) Form1.pdf
　(2) Form2.docx
　(3) Form3.pdf

<Additional Documentation to be submitted> *If you have not already submitted them.
　-Curriculum Vitae
　(Including your educational background from elementary school to last school attended)
　-Two preferred laboratories
　-Transcript of academic record of last graduation with grading system

**Only outstanding students with a Grading Point Average (GPA) of 2.3 (out of 3.0) from a Master's program or higher can be accepted. The GPA will be calculated according to MEXT's calculation method.
**It is recommended that you submit proof of language proficiency such as TOEFL and TOEIC. Optionally, you can submit proof of Japanese language proficiency test, etc.

Please send your email with the subject line "MEXT Scholarship 2024".
Email: g-medex@med.niigata-u.ac.jp

The list of candidate laboratories

Here is the list of laboratories available for the scholarship.
If you wish to apply for the scholarship, you will submit three preferred laboratories stating priorities. Please be noted that your preference might be adjusted from the choice.

Brain Research Institute

Department of Neuroscience of Disease / Prof. Hideaki Matsui

Our laboratory explores the nature of life, aging, disease, and death using a variety of research objects, including cultured cells, small fish, mice, and human brains. In particular, we focus on the underlying causes and evolutionary origins of neurodegenerative diseases and aging.
https://www.bri.niigata-u.ac.jp/~neuroscience_of_disease/

Department of Neurosurgery / Prof. Makoto Oishi

We welcome students who especially are interested in neuro-oncology for brain tumors and also in neuro-physiology such as epilepsy. We are studying real human tissues of brain tumors or epileptic cortices obtained during surgical resection using the various experimental methods.
http://neurosurg-bri-niigata.jp/

Department of Cellular Neuropathology / Prof. Takayasu Mikuni

Our goal is to understand the physiology and pathophysiology of the brain at the cellular and molecular levels. Using genome editing-based protein labeling methods, namely "SLENDR" and "vSLENDR", we will explore the cellular and molecular mechanism underlying long-lasting memory, and further investigate how the mechanism is impaired in memory disorders to provide new therapeutic strategies.
https://www.bri.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/field/cellneu/index.html

Department of System Pathology for Neurological Disorders / Prof. Masaki Ueno

Injuries to the brain and spinal cord due to stroke or trauma disrupt neural circuits, resulting in functional deficits. Our lab studies the connectivity and functions of neural circuits and the mechanisms to regenerate the circuit to restore function after stroke or spinal cord injury.
http://www.bri.niigata-u.ac.jp/~system_neurodis/ueno/home-e.html

Department of Pathology / Prof. Akiyoshi Kakita

As an academic pathology department, we aim to deliver a high degree of professionalism in clinicopathological diagnostic services and neuropathology research, utilizing comprehensive and innovative approaches and building departmental competence to meet the needs of patients, institutions, and society.
https://pathology-bri-niigata-u.jp/en/

Division of Molecular Genetics / Prof. Takeshi Ikeuchi

Dementia is a major global healthcare problem. At Department of Molecular Genetics, we aim to conduct patient-oriented dementia research through biomarker development and genome science.
https://www.bri.niigata-u.ac.jp/en/field/genetics/index.html

Graduate School of Medicine

Division of Neurobiology and Anatomy / Prof. Hirohide Takebayashi

We are studying developmental neurobiology and neurodegenerative disease using animal models. We are also interested in the function of glial cells, which are non-neuronal cells in the brain. Any background students with a strong interest in neuroscience are accepted.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/an2/index.html

Division of Microscopic Anatomy / Prof. Shinsuke Shibata

We welcome international students from any background. Recently, we focus on developing new technologies for visualizing various biological phenomena by using many imaging devices such as electron microscopes and optical microscopes. Our research interests include nerve regeneration, developmental neurobiology, and pain research.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/an3/eng.html

Division of International Health / Prof. Reiko Saito

Our research aim is the laboratory indentification of respiratory viruses such as influezna, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV in Japan and Myanmar. Currently we only take lab persons, but not epidemiologist.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/pub/welcome.htm

Department of Pediatrics / Prof. Akihiko Saitoh

Department of Pediatrics conducts various research related to child health. Our main focus is related to pediatric infectious diseases, especially focusing on the diagnosis of viral infection in children.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/ped/

Department of Bacteriology / Prof. Sohkichi Matsumoto

We do 1 Basic research to clarify the molecular mechanisms of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases. 2 Both basic and translational research for development of diagnosis, drugs, and vaccines in order to eradicate TB and related diseases.
https://www.med-niigatauniv-bacteriol.org/english/

Department of Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolism / Prof. Hirohito Sone

Our laboratory is one of the leading centers of research in big data analysis on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, establishing many scientific evidence for care and prevention. We also conduct epidemiological research using artificial intelligence and develop health-related smartphone applications.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/emh/

Department of Physiology / Prof. Isao Hasegawa

We are exploring for the neural origin of "uniquely-human" abilities such as language, visual imagery, and mental attributions. Towards this goal, we have developed novel primate animal models and brain-wide recording procedures. Here, you are welcome to join researches with various backgrounds-basic/clinical neurosciences, engineering, and psychology.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/ph1/welcome.htm

Medical AI Center/Bioinformatics / Prof. Shujiro Okuda

We have analyzed large amounts of omics data, such as genome sequences, to discover the hidden biological knowledge and developed technologies to realize them. We are now studying how the intestinal microbiota relates to health and conducting cancer genome data analysis for the realization of precision medicine. In addition, we are actively developing artificial intelligence for medical use.
https://bioinfo.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/?lang=en

Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology / Prof. Ichiei Narita

http://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/nephrol/

Division of Pharmacology / Prof. Masanori Hirashima

We are studying molecular mechanisms underlying lymphatic vascular development, by producing genome-edited mice. We are also interested in pathological conditions such as fetal nuchal edema caused by developmental defects.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/pha/

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology / Prof. Kosuke Yoshihara

Our mission is to clarify the molecular characteristic of uterine endometrium based on multi-omics analysis, leading to the development of new prevention strategies of endometrium-related diseases such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and endometrial cancer.
https://obs-niigata.jp

Division of Orthopaedics / Prof. Tomoharu Mochizuki

Orthopedic surgery treats diseases of the "musculoskeletal system," including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, as well as the nervous system, including the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Orthopedic surgeons are physicians who specialize in the treatment of these areas. In addition to performing surgeries, they also use other techniques such as drug therapy and rehabilitation.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/ort/

Division of Developmental Physiology / Prof. Sayaka Sugiyama

We welcome any students interested in postnatal brain development. We are using a range of methods such as imaging, electrophysiology and behavioral analyses as well as molecular biology in order to understand biological strategy of experience-dependent wiring of neural circuits.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/contents/activity/research/shinryou/shinkei.html

Department of Psychiatry / Prof. Toshiyuki Someya

We investigate the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders using molecular genetics and neurobiochemistry.
http://www.niigata-dp.org/

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery / Prof. Ken Matsuda

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery conducts various research directly related to clinical problems in our patients. Our current research interests include lymphatic vessel disorder, peripheral nerve regeneration, and clinical applications of 3D printing technology.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/prs/site/

Deartment of Anatomy / Prof. Noboru Sato

We are interested in development of the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. To clear these, we conduct research by means of morphological research methods and fully utilizing advanced molecular biology techniques using experimental model animals such as genetically engineered mice, birds and small fish.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/an1/welcome.html

Division of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases / Prof. Toshiaki Kikuchi

Our laboratory is conducting extensive research on various respiratory diseases, including allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, inflammatory diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, lung cancer, infectious diseases, and respiratory physiology.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/resp/welcome.html

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology / Prof. Shuji Terai

In the course of research on the regulation of digestion, absorption, and metabolism, we are studying cancer, fibrosis amelioration, and regenerative medicine. Recently, we have identified bacterial-derived extracellular vesicles (exosomes), which contribute to the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and other diseases. We also study hepatitis viruses. We are analyzing various pathological conditions and developing clinical research from basic research.
https://www.med.niigata-u.ac.jp/in3/index_eng.html