The “leading PhD programme” is a targeted government funding scheme that aims to develop specialists who also have comprehensive knowledge and a creative approach, and who will work across business, academia and government. The programmes chosen are to bring together top-class academics and students on courses that cut across traditional subject boundaries and actively involve industry. These future leaders are to develop a knowledge economy and tackle the interdisciplinary issues facing the planet, as well as address problems particular to Japan such as an aging and shrinking population, and the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.

The total budget this year is 11.6 billion yen (92 million pounds), including ongoing funding for the 21 programmes chosen last year as well as new funding for 24 new programmes. Funding for each individual programme varies, up to a maximum of 2.4 million pounds.

Unsurprisingly, most of the 24 programmes chosen this year (see the attached list) are offered by large, research-intensive universities such as the Global 30, with some of the top universities receiving several grants. Only two awards were made to private universities (Waseda and Doshisha, both Global 30 members) and one to a local public university.

As the leading PhD initiative has a strong international focus, several of the programmes already involve overseas partners, and we know that some institutions are open to developing their plans and involving more partners. If you have existing links with any of the selected universities, or a strength in one of these subject areas, it could be worthwhile contacting them to explore possibilities for collaboration.