What is the Universities for International Research Excellence program?

It's a government program using a 10 trillion yen fund to support Japanese universities in strengthening research, finance, and governance for up to 25 years.

How much funding will Science Tokyo receive?

Science Tokyo is expected to receive over 10 billion yen in the first fiscal year, starting in fiscal 2026.

What are Science Tokyo's goals with the new funding?

Goals include a sevenfold increase in medical engineering collaboration papers and promoting AI use in hospitals to boost research time.

Home / Education / Science Tokyo eyes global top ranks with massive grant

Science Tokyo eyes global top ranks with massive grant

19 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Science Tokyo selected for significant government research grants.
Fund aims to elevate Japanese institutes to global top rankings.
University to receive over 10 billion yen starting fiscal 2026.

Science Tokyo eyes global top ranks with massive grant

Science Tokyo has been identified as a candidate for significant government funding aimed at elevating Japanese research institutions globally. The university is poised to become the program's second recipient, set to receive substantial financial support from a dedicated government fund beginning in fiscal year 2026.

This initiative, backed by a 10 trillion yen endowment, supports universities in bolstering their research prowess and administrative structures for up to 25 years. Science Tokyo plans to more than quintuple its medical engineering research output and integrate artificial intelligence into hospital operations to free up faculty time for research.

Other institutions like Kyoto University are also under review for funding, contingent on plan revisions. The University of Tokyo remains under scrutiny due to governance concerns, while several other universities were not selected in this round.