The University of Tokyo “Advanced AI Talent Development to Lead the Next-Generation Intelligent Society (BOOST NAIS)” supported by the Broadening Opportunities for Outstanding young researchers and doctoral students in STrategic areas (BOOST) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) , is open to all doctoral students (including those in 4-year doctoral programs) at the university. We seek approximately 20 project participants who will enroll the doctoral program in Spring 2026.
Click to zoom
The purpose of this project is to provide an environment where project participants can acquire not only the knowledge and skills necessary to pioneer and lead the next generation of AI research but also the ability to collaborate across disciplines and communicate their research outcomes as societal value. Unique to this project, a variety of development programs will be offered, including interdisciplinary research exchange meetings, on-campus internships, research planning workshops, and entrepreneurship lectures. Furthermore, this project will be closely coordinated with the university’s SPRING GX project, offering all participants access to the complete range of transferable skills development programs conducted by SPRING GX, including core GX programs, study abroad and dispatch programs, voluntary interdisciplinary project research, and industry-academia partnership internships.
Approximately 20 students
Doctoral students who enroll in Spring 2026, including those in 4-year doctoral programs who aspire to pioneer and lead in the field of AI, currently engaged in research and development in the field of AI or planning to undertake research and development that contributes to the advancement of the field of AI by leveraging their high level of expertise in various fields.
Students receiving support from WINGS can also apply.
Please note that once adopted, the support will be provided by BOOST NAIS. (Duplicate grants are not possible.)
From January 16,2026 (Fri.) to January 30,2026 (Fri.) by 3pm.
A research stipend of 280,000 yen per month will be provided. In addition, a flat sum of 540,000 yen per year will be supported for research grant.
*The application guidelines and application form are currently being prepared. Please check back soon for the official release.
Online application form (From January 16,2026 (Fri.) to January 30,2026 (Fri.) by 3pm.)
https://spring-gx.adm.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/apply/ *This will be available from January 16,2026.
※It is also used for SPRING GX.
Presentation video submission URL (From January 16,2026 (Fri.) to January 30,2026 (Fri.) by 3pm.)
［Presentation video submission URL］ *This will be available from January 16,2026.
Applicants may apply concurrently with SPRING GX.
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 SPRING GX, 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”.
Please note that each application form must be completed separately, even if they have the same content.
Also note that applicants to BOOST NAIS are required to submit a presentation video.
If a student enrolled in WINGS in the master’s program applies for both, please submit the SPRING GX application through the WINGS-only form, and for BOOST NAIS, select “Apply for BOOST NAIS only” on the application form.
The following is a tentative list of items that everyone needs to participate in.
boost-nais.adm [at] gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp