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IndependentIndependentalalatioatioInnovativeInnovative〜 In4 〜InternationalEnsuring and fostering talented young scientists from all over the world Global research management using English as an offi cial language InterdisciplinaryPromoting integrated research through exchange among researchers from different fi elds IndependentIndependent original research guaranteed under a system without supervisory control InnovativeDevelopment of innovative research topics created by young researchersMelting PotDifferent FieldsInternInternDifferent CulturesDifferent NationalitiesInterdisciplinaryInterdisciplinaryMelting Pot:Environment in which new ideas are elicited by gathering multinational young researchers together in one space.nnNational Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) is a leading research institute in the fi eld of materials science in Japan. We aim to be the world’s most innovative research center in material science. In order to enhance the quality of our research, we must recruit the best researchers from around the world. Potential candidates are researchers with outstanding achievements. However, we offer an alternative path for young scientists, that is the ICYS fellowship. The International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS) was established for this purpose in 2003.ICYS accepts researchers who have just completed their Ph.D. degrees or have had a short post-doctoral experience. Naturally, we do not expect ICYS candidates to have a long list of publications. Instead, we select those who show potential to achieve high quality and influential research as an independent scientist. In order for the ICYS research fellows to reach their full potential, we provide them a research environment in which they can focus on their research. The environment is characterized by In4 (International, Interdisciplinary, Independent, Innovative). International = all communications are in English, Interdisciplinary = ICYS fellows cover all aspects of materials science, Independent = ICYS fellow is his/her own boss, Innovative = ICYS is open to any new ideas or directions.The ICYS research fellow is not a permanent position, rather it is an early career path. We see an ICYS fellow as being in an experimental period of his/her research career, during which one can try most ambitious project. Our experience shows that most of the projects end up with great success as is evidenced by the statistics of the post-ICYS career paths listed in this booklet. Given the importance of this program, we have improved the annual salary and term of the contract since April 2023.We are here to nurture young scientists in their starting stage and help them discover not only scientifi c fi ndings but also their bright future.Human resource development in the Melting PotKazuhiro HonoPresident of NIMSInternational Center for Young Scientists1Expectations for the International Center for Young Scientists