Now Open Registration Master and Doctoral Degrees at Graduate School of Biostudies (GSB) at Kyoto University.

The program seeks 4 ASEAN students per year (two Master’s and two Doctoral students) between 2024 – 2026.

THE MARCO POLO VOYAGE PROGRAM is a fellowship established by the Graduate School of Biostudies (GSB) at Kyoto University and supported by the Japanese Government (MEXT). We seek motivated, adventurous, internationally-minded students who wish to pursue either a Masters or a Ph.D. degree in biological science.  Up to four outstanding students from Asian nations under-represented in science research in Japan will be selected.  The fellowship provides generous financial support for studies and daily life.

Details of financial and other support under the program:

• All admission and tuition fees (usually JPY535,000 per year) are waived
• Scholars will receive a monthly stipend of around JPY147,000
• Visa application support is provided
• Return flight from your home country to Japan is provided free (return tickets will be provided only if you complete the degree programs within the minimum required years: MSc 2 years/PhD 3 years)
• All scholars are enrolled in Japanese national health insurance
• English-speaking support staff and student mentors will facilitate your life in Japan
• Japanese language classes are available
• University dormitories may be available (not guaranteed; application required)

ELIGIBILITY:

• Applicants must have been born on or after April 2, 1989.
• Applications from citizens of one of the following Southeast Asian countries will be prioritized:

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

HOW TO APPLY:

Eligible applicants should prepare the following documents:

1. Application form (https://tinyurl.com/3kk2zb5v)
2. Field of Study and Research Plan (https://tinyurl.com/ycxcvapu)
3. Cover letter, including a brief description of your research interests, career aspirations and any laboratory experience you may have had.
4. Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) including your personal information, contact details, education since high school, academic achievements, and employment history. Your photograph is not required.
5. Proof of excellent English language proficiency
6. Two letters of recommendation
7. Official academic transcripts / grade reports issued by universities attended
8. Graduation/Completion certificate (if you have not yet graduated, a certificate must be provided before entering the graduate program.)
9. Copy of degree certificate

And send them to Kyoto University Admission Assistance Office (AAO).

Matching a prospective applicant with a lab and the respective lab head are very important. Therefore, before applying, we request that applicants contact the head of the lab that they would like to join at GSB, and discuss availability and potential research activities there. After receiving the lab head’s consent for application, applicants should submit all the required documents to the GSB Student Affairs Section (150kyomu@adm.lif.kyoto-u.ac.jp) by December 20 (Wed), 2023.

Successful applicants who pass the primary screening (document screening) will be interviewed by the GSB selection committee in early January.

EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS:

Applications will be considered by the GSB International Education committee in the order they are received. Interviews will be conducted over an internet video call in January 2024.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Please send any enquiries by e-mail to 150marcopolo@mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Contact/Enquiry: GSB Student Affairs Section
Email: 150kyomu@adm.lif.kyoto-u.ac.jp

OTHER INFORMATION:

Scholarship Program: https://www.marcopolostudyprogram.org/

GSB homepage: https://www.lif.kyoto-u.ac.jp/e/

Guidelines: https://tinyurl.com/3v3j8pk4