About RARA Student Fellowship Program

We provide support for Ritsumeikan Advanced Research Academy (RARA) student fellows,
who are doctoral students expected to become leading researchers of the next generation.

What is the RARA Student Fellowship Program (RARA x SPRING)?

The foundation of the Ritsumeikan Advanced Research Academy (RARA), this program aims to cultivate doctoral students into “T-shaped doctoral level impact makers” who can not only deepen their own research specializations but also demonstrate social impact by collaborating with researchers and other partners in different fields. About 100 first, second, and third-year doctoral students have been designated as RARA Student Fellows.

What is the RARA Student Fellowship Next-Generation AI Program (RARA x BOOST)?

In addition to the support measures developed for RARA x SPRING, this program is designed to cultivate "doctoral level talent for the field of next-generation AI" who are equipped with the ability to solve social issues by harnessing next-generation AI technology. RARA plans to assist a total of eight students over a three-year period starting in AY2024.

Outline: Program Content

Financial aid	Aid to reduce financial concerns and create an environment where fellows can focus on their research. Research expenses + research assistance (185,000 yen / month)
RARA Colloquia	A series of lectures on topics including the transferable skills, communication skills, and self-management techniques that researchers need. Interaction and collaboration between RARA Student Fellows and researchers outside their own research fields
RARA Commons	Training opportunities for research presentations, such as lecturing at Ritsumeikan’s affiliated junior and senior high schools (research outreach) Network-building with researchers inside and outside the Academy and business people as well as opportunities to improve your presentation skills
Special Programs	Overseas research support system, participation in programs offered by external training institutions, original internship programs, and more.
Individualized Support Program	Periodic interviews with coordinators (to assess the situation of each RARA Student Fellow and provide advice to improve their skills)

Interview

This is an interview article with RARA student fellows. We asked them about their research topics, their passion for their research, and their future career paths.