Hmmm I'm beginning to worry about my research plans. I stated I am most likely not able to design a research that will occupy the 2 year term. Thus, it would be necessary for me to conduct more than 1. I also state that I will make an effort to attend scientific related lectures, seminars, etc to get ideas for future projects while conducting my frist one. Also, along with an outline of my first research, I provide 2 additional abstract research proposals to cover me.
Anyone think this is a good idea? Or should I try to extend my one research to a full 2 years?
Of course it is entirely up to you to plan your application strategy, if it were me, i would not do that.
I would fear that adding a second research proposal would dilute the efficiency of the first. Also, if they start asking you questions about the second research proposal, you might not be able to respond very convincingly. I could also imagine other 'difficult to answer' interview questions arising because from it.
I would imagine adding a second proposal would merely confuse the interviewers and make them lose focus. There is probably no need for you to set an exact timeline for your first proposal--they don't expect you to have a script all planned out for exactly what you are going to do, since research, espcially when you don't know where you will be doing it, is not really that kind of thing.
Why state that you were not able to design a 2 year research proposal? You are bringing attention to a problem that need not exist in the first place, since it is acceptable to use the scholarship for less than the full two year term, and since there's no real way you know your project won't last for two years.
Simply state what you want to study, the kind of resources the opportunity will provide you that will enable you to study it, and why you believe your study will be beneficial to you and to Japan. Don't get caught up in writing down all of your worries or your hypothesis or anything else that. While it may be important in your mind in regards to your project, doesnt really provide outsiders any insight into why they should give you the schoalrship.
I think that saying you want to attend classes to broaden your understanding of the field of study under which your research project falls is a good idea. I broke my proposal up into 3 parts and I think it worked for me:
1 Basically why they should give me the scholarship
2A General Study--the classes I wanted to take and general things I wanted to study and how those could help my future
2B Specific Research Study--more specific information on my topic and the benefits of that specific project
My specific research project was only one dense, fairly vague page. The rest was two more pages. I am not saying you should do it this way--this worked for me because I really wanted to do a lot of general study, take language classes, etc. If your focus IS more on your research, focus more on that.
I guess what I am trying to say is do not write anything in your proposal that will not help you get the scholarship. Save all that other stuff for your discussing with your friends or your advisor after you come to Japan.
