The International Cooperative Graduate Program (ICGP) is designed for graduate students from overseas universities that have concluded an ICGP agreement with NIMS. Students can conduct part of their thesis research at NIMS under the co-supervision of NIMS researchers.
The next application round is scheduled to open in September 2026.
Please see the application details for the ICGP partner universities.
Partner universities with ICGP agreement
Canada
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| University of Waterloo | 2018/10/13 |
United States of America
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| The University of Tennessee | 2019/6/13 |
Norway
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Norwegian University of Science and Technology | 2016/5/3 |
Netherlands
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| University of Twente | 2009/3/12 |
Germany
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Technische Universitat Darmstadt | 2019/6/5 |
| Ruhr University Bochum | 2025/9/11 |
| Kiel University | 2026/8/10 |
Poland
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Warsaw University of Technology | 2005/3/29 |
Czech Republic
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Charles University | 2002/2/7 |
| University of Pardubice | 2009/4/20 |
| Czech Technical University in Prague | 2023/11/2 |
France
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| University of Caen Normandy | 2021/5/31 |
| Univeristy of Rennes | 2013/10/29 |
| Grenoble Alpes University | 2023/3/17 |
| University of Rouen Normandy | 2025/11/7 |
Hungary
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Budapest University of Techonolgy and Economics | 2008/12/1 |
India
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Anna University | 2007/3/8 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad | 2020/1/22 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati | 2020/7/24 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Varanasi | 2021/10/25 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | 2022/12/22 |
| Indian Institute of Science | 2024/1/24 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Mandi | 2024/1/30 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | 2024/4/23 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Delhi | 2024/10/19 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | 2025/3/22 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur | 2025/6/18 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee | 2025/7/29 |
Vietnam
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Institute for Materials Science | 2013/9/9 |
| The University of Science, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City | 2026/5/19 |
| The University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi | 2026/8/5 |
Taiwan
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| National Taiwan University | 2013/1/10 |
| National Tsing Hua University | 2013/12/3 |
| National Cheng Kung University | 2020/7/8 |
| National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University | 2020/7/15 |
| National Sun Yat-sen University | 2024/10/9 |
| National Taiwan University of Science and Technology | 2025/2/13 |
Thailand
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Chulalongkorn University | 2018/4/24 |
| Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) | 2026/8/5 |
Malaysia
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | 2014/5/28 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia | 2019/12/1 |
Indonesia
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Institut Teknologi Bandung | 2014/12/9 |
Australia
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Flinders University | 2011/7/19 |
| Monash University | 2023/10/4 |
| The University of Newcastle, Australia | 2024/9/3 |
Korea
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| Seoul National University | 2020/9/11 |
| Korea University | 2023/5/11 |
Philippines
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| University of the Philippines | 2022/7/29 |
Romania
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest | 2025/10/21 |
Republic of Cyprus
| University | Year Inaugurated |
|---|---|
| University of Cyprus | 2026/1/19 |
Features
Through the ICGP agreement, the graduate students are able to conduct doctoral thesis research with the following conditions. NIMS supports research as well as living and studying abroad in Japan.There are many students working at NIMS using different student programs.
In and out of NIMS, the student will enjoy interactions with other students coming from different backgrounds.Find out more about student life on our newsletter NIMS NOW.
| Duration of stay |
|---|
| 6 to 12 months |
| Research at NIMS |
|---|
| Main part of thesis research can be conducted in the program. Along with the student’s supervising professor, NIMS researcher co-supervises the research and thesis. |
| Working language |
|---|
| English. Japanese language skills are helpful but not required. |
| Visa |
|---|
| Arrangements supported by NIMS |
| Financial support |
|---|
| NIMS provides living allowance and accommodation fee in Tsukuba. |
| Accommodation |
|---|
| Residents for international researchers in Tsukuba, Ninomiya House |
| Support during your stay |
|---|
|
| Extracurricular activities |
|---|
|
How to find NIMS researchers
- SAMURAI database -
SAMURAI is an electronic database that aims to introduce NIMS researchers and their work to the public. Research publications in the profile are linked in the ‘NIMS Digital Library’, a digital archive of institutional activities in materials science that aims to serve both society and individual scientists.
To find a NIMS researcher who matches with your research interests and topics, please see the SAMURAI database. You can search by research field, paper titles or keywords.
Process for signing the ICGP agreement
The ICGP is open to universities outside of Japan, for collaborating research and graduate education in a field of materials sciences. To prepare for the ICGP agreement, it is required to develop working level arrangements with counterparts in the university and NIMS. When the working level agreements are formed, through circulation among the relevant bureaus in each organization, the ICGP agreement is finalized by the university dean and NIMS president. For more details, please contact the NIMS Institutional Alliance Section, Academic Collaboration Office.
Acceptance procedure of students
According to the ICGP agreement between the university and NIMS, the application period is held once a year. Students from partner universities should submit their application documents to the designated professor or office in charge. To find potential NIMS supervisors, students can search the SAMURAI database.
First, the partner universities select the candidates, then NIMS will arrange the prospective co-supervisor mentioned on the application. Online interviews may be conducted during the process. Upon final approval by the NIMS president, students are officially accepted into the ICGP. Following acceptance, administrative procedures—including visa support and accommodation arrangement in Tsukuba—will be managed by NIMS.
The application documents and the specific procedure will be provided to the partner universities before the application period starts.