Japan National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) International Cooperative Graduate Program (ICGP) 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
If you’re a full-time PhD student at a partner university looking to advance your research in materials science, the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) International Cooperative Graduate Program (ICGP) 2026 presents an exceptional opportunity. This programme offers you the chance to conduct a portion of your doctoral thesis at NIMS in Tsukuba, Japan, under joint supervision and with generous financial support. Here's everything you need to know.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan (at NIMS)
Host Institution: NIMS (National Institute for Materials Science)
Study Level: Doctoral (PhD) level, for students already enrolled full-time at partner universities.
Target Group: International PhD candidates from universities that have an ICGP agreement with NIMS.
Fields of Focus: Materials Science & Engineering, including:
Nanotechnology & advanced materials
Energy & environmental materials
Biomaterials & soft materials
Functional materials & devices
Computational and theoretical materials science
Value & Coverage:
Monthly living allowance of JPY 120,000 provided by NIMS.
Accommodation fees covered by NIMS (single room in Tsukuba).
No tuition or facility usage fees charged by NIMS.
Duration: 6 to 12 months of research stay at NIMS (negotiable start date after June 2026)
Application Deadline: 9 January 2026 for documents submission via your home institution to NIMS.
Start Date: After June 2026 (negotiable; depends on visa, administrative arrangements)
📚 Scholarship Overview
The ICGP at NIMS is designed to foster international collaboration in materials science. Under this programme, eligible PhD students from partner universities can spend part of their doctoral research period at NIMS in Japan, working alongside NIMS researchers who serve as co-supervisors. During their stay (6–12 months), participants have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, administrative and daily-life support in English, and the opportunity to engage in workshops, symposiums, and cultural programmes hosted by NIMS. The aim is to strengthen your research capabilities, widen your academic network and propel your career in materials science research at an international level.
🎁 Benefits
Full monthly living allowance of JPY 120,000 for the duration of your stay.
Accommodation fee coverage in a single-room residence in Tsukuba (e.g., Ninomiya House or similar) – you only cover utility charges.
Access to NIMS’s advanced research infrastructure and opportunity to collaborate directly with leading NIMS researchers.
Administrative and visa support from NIMS (for Cultural Activities visa), and daily-life support services in English.
Enriched research environment in Japan: global peers, international workshops, Japanese-language lessons and cultural experiences.
No tuition or facility usage fees charged by NIMS for participating students.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the ICGP 2026 at NIMS you must:
Be a full-time PhD student at a university which has an ICGP agreement with NIMS (partner university). See partner universities here
Have a research topic in materials science/engineering that aligns with the expertise of a NIMS researcher (you should contact potential supervisor in advance via NIMS’s SAMURAI database).
Be registered at your home institution for the entire duration of the stay at NIMS.
Good health condition (medical certificate may be required by your institution / NIMS).
Proficiency in English (since the working language is English; Japanese skills are helpful but not required).
Adhere to your home university’s nomination/application procedures (typically your university must nominate you for the ICGP).
📝 Application Procedure
Contact a NIMS researcher: Use the SAMURAI researcher-directory at NIMS to identify a potential co-supervisor whose research interests align with yours; make contact and get a confirmation of support.
Nomination by Home Institution: Your university (the partner institution) selects candidates and forwards their applications to NIMS by the deadline.
Prepare required documents, including (but not limited to):
Latest official academic transcripts (Bachelor’s & Master’s).
Research proposal or statement of your planned thesis segment at NIMS.
CV / résumé.
Recommendation letter(s) from your supervisor/home department.
Student status certificate at your home institution (confirming your PhD registration and that you will remain registered during your stay).
Proof of English proficiency (if required by your home institution / NIMS).
Passport copy; health/medical certificate.
Submit documents: Your university sends your application package to NIMS Graduate Program Section by the specified deadline (for ICGP 2026 typically early January 2026).
Screening & selection: NIMS will conduct document screening and may hold online interviews; final approval by NIMS President.
Results announcement: Usually mid-March 2026.
Start your stay: After June 2026 (or as negotiated) begin your 6-12 month research stay at NIMS, Japan.
🚀 Final Notes & Tips
Reach out early to potential NIMS researchers via the SAMURAI database; showing proactive contact increases your chances of securing a supervisor.
Ensure your home university participates in the ICGP agreement with NIMS — if it does not, you won’t be eligible. You’ll find a list of partner universities on NIMS’s site.
Demonstrate in your application how the stay at NIMS will contribute to your thesis, your future research goals and global materials science community.
Prepare your application documents carefully, meet internal home university deadlines (they may require nomination by your department), and allow time for visa and accommodation arrangements when selected.
Although Japanese language isn’t required, being open to cultural adjustment is beneficial. The research stay fosters international exposure and networks.
Because your objective is to drive towards a PhD and research career, highlight how this programme at NIMS provides not just financial support, but research-training, global collaboration and high-visibility in materials science.
