The “Fostering Advanced Human Resource Development to Lead Green Transformation (GX)” project (hereinafter referred to as "SPRING GX"), which has been selected for and is being supported by the “Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation” (SPRING) Program of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), will accept applications for project students who wish to enter the doctoral program (including four-year doctoral programs) at the University in Spring 2026.

Regarding the SPRING program administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the system has been revised, and under the revised system, financial support equivalent to living expenses is no longer provided to international students.

At the University, the handling of international students recruited in April 2026 will be as follows.
- In FY2026, living expenses support will be provided at 180,000 yen per month.
- From FY2027 onward, living expenses support of 90,000 yen per month will be provided under the University of Tokyo’s unique support program
- International students applying for SPRING GX will be automatically considered for this support program.

Project aims

SPRING GX aims to train a large number of Doctoral students (Approximately 1200 students in the doctoral program) to become highly skilled professionals who will lead the green transformation (GX) of our society and play an active role in the realization of GX in all fields. In an environment in which curiosity-driven students with a high level of specialist knowledge and strong research skills can freely conduct pioneering and emergent research, students will understand that the future vision of society can only be GX. They will have multiple opportunities to develop an awareness of the link between their research and the issues facing society and to acquire the transferable skills needed to fully utilize their specialist expertise in their future careers.

Eligibility

Those who plan to enroll in the doctoral program (including four-year doctoral programs) at the University's graduate school in April 2026 (including those currently applying).

Application Category

Domestic Students

Persons expected to fall under any of the following categories as of April 1, 2026:
- Persons who hold Japanese nationality
- Persons with one of the following residence statuses: Special Permanent Resident, Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
- Persons with a Long-Term Resident status who intend to obtain permanent residency in the future
- Persons with a Dependent status who meet all of the following conditions:
    1.Were born in Japan or entered Japan for the first time by the end of the school year in which they turned 12
    2.Have completed their education from elementary school through high school in Japan
    3.Intend to work and settle in Japan after graduating from a university or equivalent institution
Note: Persons whose residence status is Long-Term Resident or Dependent must consult with the SPRING GX Program Office in advance.

International Students

Persons who do not fall under “Domestic Student”.

Number of places

Approximately 300 Domestic Students, and approximately 50 International Students.

Application period

From January 16, 2026 (Fri.) to January 30, 2026 (Fri.) by 3pm.

The server may be crowded just before the end of the application period, so please apply well in advance. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted, even if the application is still in progress.

Application guideline

*The application guidelines are scheduled to be available from January 9, 2026.

GX_globeImg

Application procedure

Download the designated application form, fill it out, convert it to a PDF file, and upload it via the online application form.

Please note that the following students are currently enrolled in WINGS.
Enter the required information in the WINGS-specific application form (no need to prepare an application document).

Core program

SPRING GX office provides the following core programs.
- Green Future Meeting
- GX Bird’s Eye View Lecture
- GX Inspire Lecture

We also invite applications for self-directed and integrated project research and provide additional research funding for selected projects.

Advanced skills development programs provided by the SPRING GX Office

SPRING GX Office offers the following advanced skills development programs. Students will be selected from among the applicants.
- Overseas Dispatch Program
- Industry-academia collaboration internship

Advanced skills development programs provided by WINGS

For SPRING GX, you will choose WINGS, which offers an advanced skills development program.

Advanced skills development programs provided by each WINGS are as follows:

[List of advanced skills development programs provided by WINGS]

Application form Designated form

Select Graduate School/Department and WINGS which you will enter.
When preparing the application form, please check the format carefully to make sure it is correct, as it varies depending on the WINGS you have selected.

Website for application

Application period (From January 16, 2026 (Fri.) to January 30, 2026 (Fri.) by 3pm.)

Online application form
https://spring-gx.adm.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/apply/ *This will be available from January 16, 2026.

WINGS-specific application form
Students who are currently enrolled in WINGS in the master’s program should register using this WINGS-specific application form, instead of the standard application form.
WINGS-specific application form
*This will be available from January 16, 2026.

Co-application with BOOST NAIS

Applicants may apply concurrently with BOOST NAIS.
In the case of a concurrent application, you may be offered a position in SPRING GX if you are not offered a position in BOOST NAIS.
For more information about BOOST NAIS, please click here.

In the application form, there is an option to choose to apply for both SPRING GX and BOOST NAIS.
Upload the application form as one PDF file in the order of “SPRING GX Application Form” and “BOOST NAIS Application Form”.

If a student who is currently enrolled in WINGS in the master’s program applies for both, please submit the SPRING GX application through the WINGS-specific application form, and for BOOST NAIS, select "Apply for BOOST NAIS only" on the application form.

Financial Support

Domestic Students

Research stipend: 180,000 yen per month
Research expenses: 360,000 yen per year will be provided.
Additionally, overseas travel expenses, etc., will be paid through a review process

International Students

Research stipend:
April 2026 - March 2027: 180,000 yen per month
April 2027 onward: 90,000 yen per month　（under the University of Tokyo’s unique support program）

Research expenses: 360,000 yen per year will be provided.
Additionally, overseas travel expenses, etc., will be paid through a review process

FAQ (Updated as needed)

Eligibility for Application Are those who have NOT applied for JSPS DC eligible to apply for the SPRING GX?
Students who have NOT applied for JSPS DC are also eligible to apply for the SPRING GX.
Eligibility for Application Are those who receive CSC scholarships eligible to apply for the SPRING GX?
Students who receive CSC scholarships (as of April 1,2026) are not eligible to apply for the SPRING GX.
Eligibility for Application Are those who receive Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association scholarship eligible to apply for the SPRING GX?
Students who receive Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association scholarship (as of April 1,2026) are not eligible to apply for the SPRING GX.
Eligibility for Application Are those who are enrolled in doctoral course eligible to apply for the SPRING GX?
This SPRING GX call is open to students who will enter a doctoral course in April 2026. Students already enrolled in the course are not eligible to apply.
Eligibility for Application I am an M2 student who is currently enrolled in WINGS (The University of Tokyo World-leading Innovative Graduate Study Program). Am I eligible to apply for the SPRING GX?
Yes, you can apply. Please note that the required documents and the application form differ. If you are selected by SPRING GX,you will continue to be enrolled in WINGS and financial support will be provided by SPRING GX.
Eligibility for Application I am an M2 student and currently affiliated with GSDM2.0. Is GSDM2.0 considered part of WINGS?
GSDM2.0 is not included in WINGS.
Eligibility for Application I am in receipt of (or have applied for) another scholarship, can I apply for SPRING GX?
Scholarship providers may not allow co-subsidization, so please check the application guidelines for the scholarship in question and be sure to consult the department in charge at the University of Tokyo in advance.
Application Documents Can I make an application in English?
Yes, you can.
Application Documents I found a mistake on my application. Can I modify and submit it again?
No. Once you submit your application, you cannot change it.
Application Documents Can I resubmit my application if I cannot send it within the deadline due to poor Internet communication conditions?
No. Please submit your application well in advance.
Application Documents Can I attach reference materials to my application?
No. You cannot attach any reference materials.
Application Documents I would like to include references. Will they be included on the designated page?
It is included in the designated page limit.
Application Documents What kind of documents verifying acceptance of my papers should I attach to my application?
A copy of e-mail correspondences will suffice, if it confirms that your papers have been accepted.
Application Documents When should I submit the confirmation form of my supervisor?
You will be notified of your supervisor's confirmation form when you are selected as a SPRING GX student.
Application Documents I submitted an application, but I did not receive a reply e-mail.
Please check whether the e-mail is sorted in your spam mail folder. If you cannot find the e-mail, please contact the SPRING GX Office with your receipt number.
Application Documents I am a graduate of the School of Medicine and plan to enroll in a 4-year M.D. course. If the master's course field on the application form is not filled out, an error will occur.
The Master's course section is a required field, so if you are entering a 4-year doctoral course from a 6-year undergraduate course, please provide the same information in the Master's course section as you did for your undergraduate course.
Application Documents I would like to select WINGS-ABC, but I heard that it is possible to apply if my supervisor’s primary affiliation is the Institute of Industrial Science or the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology. However, when I enter my prospective graduate school, I cannot select WINGS-ABC.
Please select “Other” for the graduate school name and submit your application. Also, enter your prospective graduate school in the “Other” field of the application form.
others If I am selected as a SPRING GX student, will I belong to the WINGS program from the doctoral course?
No. SPRING GX students will not belong to WINGS, but will participate in the advanced skills development programs provided by WINGS.
others Do I need to get permission from the WINGS which I wish at the stage of applying to SPRING GX?
No. The procedure will be followed once you are selected as a SPRING GX student.
others Upon completion of this project, will there be a certificate of completion (degree-like) or will the project completion be noted on the degree certificate?
No certificate of completion will be issued. In addition, since this project is not a degree project, there will be no entry on the degree certificate. However, a certificate of project student status (including the support amount) will be issued if necessary.
others If I am selected, can I receive the scholarship together with a private scholarship?
Co-subsidization with private scholarships is possible. However, SPRING GX will not provide financial support if the student has received a sufficient level of scholarship (2.4 million yen/year) to cover living expenses. Please note that there may be cases in which the other institution does not allow the student to receive the scholarship at the same time, so please be sure to check with the institution you are receiving the scholarship from before applying.
others If I am selected, can I receive the scholarship together with the Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO)?
Co-subsidization with JASSO is possible. Please note that JASSO may not allow the joint awarding of scholarships of the benefit type, so please be sure to check with JASSO before applying. In addition, students who were selected as JASSO Type 1 Scholarship recipients in doctoral programs in 2023 or later are not eligible for the ‘Exemption from repayment for outstanding achievement’. For details, please refer to the JASSO webpage.
JASSO webpage: https://www.jasso.go.jp/shogakukin/saiyochu/gyosekimenjo/seidogaiyo/choufukukinshi.html

Contact

SPRING GX Office

spring-gx-application.adm [at] gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp