Basic Space Technology Initiative Fellowship Programme
United Nations/Japan Long-term Fellowship Programme 2016
Post-graduate study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST)
(Kitakyushu, Japan)
The application period for the 2016 intake has ended.
Applications for the 2017 intake will be accepted starting from September/October 2016.
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Government of Japan in cooperation with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) have established a United Nations/Japan Long-term Fellowship Programme on Nano-Satellite Technologies for nationals of developing countries or non-space-faring nations. The Programme will provide extensive research opportunities in nano-satellite systems through the use of the nano-satellite development and testing facilities available at Kyutech.
Every year this "Post-graduate study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST)" Fellowship Programme will accept up to two students in the Masters course (2 years duration) and up to four students in the Doctorate course (3 years duration). Successful participants will be awarded a master or doctorate degree after successful thesis defence. The successful candidates will enroll in the Space Engineering International Course (SEIC) after passing an official entrance examination by the Graduate School of Kyushu Institute of Technology.
The selected candidates will each receive a grant under Japanese government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) scholarship (Research Students) of about 145,000 yen per month for the duration of their fellowship study (2 or 3 years) to cover housing, food, local transportation, and other expenses (actual scholarship amount is subject to change). Each candidate will be provided, according to his/her itinerary and route as designated by MEXT, an economy class air ticket between an international airport in the country of his/her nationality and Narita International Airport or Fukuoka International Airport. Fees for matriculation, tuition and entrance examinations will be paid by Kyutech.
Applications for the Fellowship Programme will be accepted until 24 January 2016.
PNST Fellowship Programme Details
- PNST Programme Flyer(.pdf) (updated 24 November 2015)
- Kyutech PNST information website
- PNST Presentation at the 50th Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, 13 February 2013
- Presentation: "Nano-Satellite Project-Based Learning for Capacity Building in Basic Space Technology Development", Polansky, Cho, Balogh, Ensenada, Mexico, 22 October 2014
Application Requirements
Applicants should:
- Be nationals of developing countries or non-space-faring nations (countries without an established substantial capability to develop space technology/launch space objects);
- Be duly nominated by their institutions;
- Be born on or after 2 April 1981;
- Have the academic and professional background required by the specific fellowship programme. Candidates seeking a Master degree are expected to have completed studies ending with a Bachelor Degree or equivalent (4 year university degree) in engineering-related subjects. Candidates seeking a Doctorate degree are expected to have completed studies ending with a Master Degree or equivalent (5 years university degree) in engineering-related subjects. Degrees in different technological fields can be considered by the Doctor Commission;and
- Be able to make professional use of the experience gained in the fellowship programme.
Information Note and Application Documents
Before submitting the completed application documents through the online upload-form, please first complete the electronic registration form, using the link below:
- Registration for the Post-graduate study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST)
After registering for PNST you will receive a confirmation email with the web address where you will download the .doc-versions of the application forms.
Application Documents:
- Information Note (.pdf)
- Terms of Participation (.pdf)
- Nomination Form (.pdf)
- Application Form (.pdf)
- Referee Report Form (.pdf)
- Academic Background (.pdf)
- Academic Background Sample (.pdf)
- Application for Japanese Government (MONBUKAGAKUSHO: MEXT) Scholarship (.pdf)
- Field of Study and Study Program (.pdf)
- Checklist (.pdf)
Application Submission Procedure
- The fully completed application form and other required documents except the referee report forms shall be submitted in electronic format (.doc or .pdf) at the Web address that is in the confirmation e-mail you will receive after registering above, by no later than 24 January 2016.
- Note: Please do not use spaces in your file names when you upload the application package, as the file server cannot handle the files correctly. Use "_" or "-" instead, e.g. "Tom.Smith.14.12.24".
- There are also rules for naming files and you must follow the rules. Please refer to the CHECKLIST. The Referee report forms should be sent by email to the Post-graduate study on Nano-Satellite Technologies (PNST) ( pnst@langmuir.ele.kyutech.ac.jp) email address by the referees themselves by no later than 24 January 2016 (Sunday, 17:00 JST).
- In exceptional cases where applicants do not have access to electronic mail, the completed application may also be sent by postal mail or through the Office of the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the applicant's country to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 500, A 1400 Vienna, Austria. For additional details, please also refer to the document "Terms of Participation".
Timeline of the Selection Process
The timeline anticipated for the selection process of the Fellowship Programme is as follows:
- From August 2015: Dissemination of information on the Fellowship Programme to potential candidates worldwide and application period.
- 24 January 2016 (Sunday, 17:00 JST): Submission deadline - all application documents must be received by PNST except in exceptional cases.
- February 2016: After the first round of selection based on the application documents, the remaining candidates will be notified regarding interviews after 5 February 2016 (Friday, JST).
- February 2016: The first interview based on Skype or telephone will be held on 10 February 2016 (Wednesday, JST). The second interview based on Skype or telephone will be held between 12 February (Friday) and 24 February 2016 (Wednesday, JST). All the applicants shall make themselves available for these days. Selection of six successful candidates. At this stage all applicants will be informed about the outcome of their application.
- February-June 2016: Discussion and finalization of research and study plan between the successful candidates and their supervisors.
- March 2016: Selected candidates must send original certificates of graduation and original transcripts with explanation of transcripts to Kyutech. If any documents are written in any language other than English, official translations are also required.
- July 2016: Official entrance exam to Kyutech. Formal admission and administration to obtain student visa.
- August 2016: Travel arrangements for the candidates to Japan and temporary accommodation arrangement for candidates in Japan.
- September 2016: Arrival in Japan and finding accommodation.
- October 2016: Beginning of the Fellowship Programme at Kyutech.
For any further questions regarding the PNST, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please visit also Kyutech's Space Engineering International Course FAQ to obtain additional information regarding the Space Engineering International Course (SEIC), which successful candidates enroll in at Kyutech.