[Call for Applications] NIMS International Cooperative Graduate Program (ICGP)

8 October 2025

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) launched an International Cooperative Graduate Program (ICGP) agreement to carry out collaborative research with overseas universities and accept graduate students from an ICGP partner university to NIMS through the program.

The 2026 NIMS ICGP is now open to accept graduate students from overseas universities which NIMS concluded the ICGP agreement with. Students can conduct part of their thesis work at NIMS with the co-supervision of NIMS researchers.

Application Deadlines: January 9 ᵗʰ, 2026

Benefits:
NIMS offers financial support for the program, including:
-Accommodation fee in Tsukuba
-Living Expenses (120,000 JPY)/month
 
Note: For Chulalongkorn University students, a round-trip ticket between Thailand and Japan will be provided by the Office of International Affairs and Global Network, Chulalongkorn University. All other expenses should be sponsored by your own or your Faculty/College/Institute.
 
Duration: Flexible, ranging from 6-month to 1-year.

Research Area: Materials Science

Eligibility:
Open to students recommended by the partner universities, as per the agreement. Candidate should be a full-time PhD student. Your student registration must cover the whole duration of stay.

Application Process:

Application and Selection Schedule:

  1. Internal application to Chulalongkorn University:
    –Explore research interests: Visit the NIMS Research Directory site “SAMURAI” to explore the research interests of NIMS researchers. 
    –Ensure alignment: Make sure that your research interests fit within the relevant research fields before contacting a NIMS researcher. 
    –Confirm Support: Once a potential supervisor is identified, contact them and confirm their willingness to support your application. 
    –Apply: Submit the required documents to grip.oia@chula.ac.th  by December 5 ᵗʰ, 2025
  2. Submission to NIMS: January 9 ᵗʰ, 2026
  3. NIMS Review: Final selections will be assessed by NIMS
    Application review:　Applications are reviewed based on the submitted documents (including transcripts). NIMS may contact the applicant’s supervisor directly for a reference letter. 
    Interviews: Online interviews may be conducted during the process.
  4. Result Announcement: mid-March 2026
  5. Training Start: from July 2026

For Chula students:
Candidate who wishes to apply for the 2026 NIMS ICGP, please fill out the application form (Download Application Form) and sent all the documents listed below back to Chula Global Research and Innovation Promotion Division at GRIP.OIA@chula.ac.th before December 5 ᵗʰ, 2025.

Needed Documents:

  • Application Form
  • Transcript (All degrees)
  • Student Status Validation
  • Additional Supporting Documents (if available): CV, English Proficiency Test results, and a recommendation letter from your supervisor.

For more information:
URL: https://www.nims.go.jp/students/en/application/

Contact
-Graduate Program Section, Academic Collaboration Office, Division of International Collaborations and Public Relations, NIMS
E-Mail: nims-graduate@nims.go.jp

-Chula Global Research and Innovation Promotion Division
Email: grip.oia@chula.ac.th
Phone: +66 2218 3124