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Technological innovation often calls for emergence of innovative new materials. NIMS, as a core research institute in the field of materials science, is always seeking for young talented materials scientists who is keen to carry out innovative materials research based on their original idea.The International Center for Young Scientists (ICYS), inaugurated in 2003 in NIMS, offers a research environment where ICYS research fellows are encouraged to pursue independent materials research based on their original ideas. For each ICYS fellow, mentors, who are the experts in the similar research fi eld in NIMS, are assigned to give advice on the direction of the research. Research budget (~2M JP¥) is provided annually, and the fellows can take full advantage of advanced research facilities in NIMS. Full clerical support is given by the ICYS staff in English so that the fellows can concentrate on their research.The office space is provided in each campus of NIMS, where all the ICYS fellows working on the different topics sit together. This “melting pot” environment is designed to grow interdisciplinary atmosphere through daily interactions. Bi-weekly ICYS seminars and annual ICYS Workshop offer good opportunity for the ICYS fellows to present their research progress and to get new ideas from their colleagues and NIMS researchers through lively and stimulative discussion. Since April 2023, the annual salary for ICYS research fellows has been raised to 6M JP¥, which is the top class in Japan. The initial contract term is 3 years, and it can be renewed up to 5 years based on the annual evaluation.About the career path, advantage is given when ICYS research fellows apply to the NIMS tenured researcher position. To date, 51% of ICYS Research Fellows who applied have been hired (FY 2016-2022). Over 10% of the current NIMS tenured researchers are alumni of ICYS. Others found faculty or researcher positions in top-ranked universities and research institutes, as well as in companies worldwide.ICYS will continue to foster leading materials scientists for the next generation.Koichi TsuchiyaDirector of ICYSNational Institute for Materials Science2We are Here for Young Materials Scientists from All Over the World!