Science Tokyo selected as candidate for University for International Research Excellence accreditation

Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) has been selected as a candidate for the Universities for International Research Excellence program, an initiative by the government of Japan to boost the research capabilities of its universities, in the second round of applications. As the process continues, the Institute is committed to securing accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence and approval of its Research System Strengthening Plan.

In line with its mission of “advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society," Science Tokyo applied for the program to further accelerate the bold education, research, and other university reforms already underway.

• Unless otherwise stated, numerical values are targets to be achieved by the final year of the 25-year period

Science Tokyo’s Visionary Initiatives (VIs) form a framework that promotes strategic initiatives toward the achievement of its threefold vision of a Better Life, a Better Society, and a Better Planet. The VIs transform the current discipline-based, vertically structured system — spanning the medical and dental sciences, science and engineering, informatics, liberal arts, and other fields — into a vision-driven cross-disciplinary framework. Currently, six VIs are operational. By fiscal year 2028, all approximately 1,800 researchers from across Science Tokyo will participate in the VIs, boosting not only the Institute’s research and education but also the creation of societal impact.

• Visionary Initiatives ― Shaping the future with science

The Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) was launched in July 2025 to promote and advance collaboration between engineering and the medical sciences. The hospital, as an innovation hub, will be established as a new model for medical innovation. This hub will drive the creation of impactful startups involving collaboration between engineering and the medical sciences that revolutionize healthcare. The goal is to launch a total of 1,000 startups, with a focus on the healthcare sector as well as deep tech startups.

• Institute of Biomedical Engineering

Science Tokyo will lead an ecosystem centered on the Visionary Initiatives (VIs) to realize its vision by collaborating with universities, research institutions, and companies worldwide. Through these efforts, the Institute aims for an average annual growth rate of 10 percent in research funding from companies and other entities.

While centralizing resource allocation under management, Science Tokyo seeks to build an endowment fund exceeding JPY 1 trillion, establish foundations for financial autonomy, and earn its social license to operate.

Science Tokyo will further expand its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to draw on diverse talent while working toward strengthened governance. The Institute aims to increase its ratio of female researchers to 40 percent and its ratio of international researchers to 30 percent.

We are deeply honored to have been selected as a candidate for the Universities for International Research Excellence program. The Science Tokyo community will continue to work together as a unified team to achieve this accreditation.

As the head of the national university corporation, I am working with diverse stakeholders to consider ways in which Science Tokyo can create new value and cultivate outstanding talent, undertaking simple yet bold reforms. As part of these efforts, Science Tokyo launched the Visionary Initiatives (VIs), which form a vision-driven, cross-disciplinary research and education framework across the Institute, in April 2025.

Science Tokyo will capitalize on this University for International Research Excellence candidacy as an opportunity to further accelerate its reforms. By advancing collaboration with domestic and international universities, companies, research organizations, and other entities, and by leading an ecosystem that involves like-minded partners, the Institute will contribute to realizing our threefold vision of a Better Life, Better Society, and Better Planet. Science Tokyo will strive to achieve shared goals across industry, government, and academia, including those outlined in the Basic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation.

While we are deeply honored to be selected as a University for International Research Excellence candidate, we also feel a strong sense of responsibility.

The creation of innovation across diverse fields to solve numerous societal challenges is Science Tokyo’s duty. Therefore, as the head of the Institute’s educational and research organizations, I am committed to working with all members to realize the Visionary Initiatives (VIs) and foster an environment where knowledge circulates, interacts, and blends.

Science Tokyo established the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) in July 2025, initiating the creation of medical innovation through cross-disciplinary collaboration, industry-government-academia partnerships, and international networks. Through these efforts, Science Tokyo will leverage its unique environment — a hub of knowledge where the medical and dental sciences converge with science and engineering — to promote the creation of new value beyond disciplinary boundaries in both education and research.

Moving forward, we aim to achieve accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence while focusing our efforts on the creation of innovation across all fields and the cultivation of talent who drive this innovation.

Institute of Science Tokyo is a Japanese national university established on October 1, 2024, following the merger between Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech). With the mission of “advancing science and human wellbeing to create value for and with society," Science Tokyo aims to become a new type of institution while taking advantage of the traditions and innovations of its predecessor universities.

Based on the Act on Strengthening Systems for Leveraging Research and Research Results of Universities for International Research Excellence (Act No. 51, 2022), the Japanese government recognizes universities that are considerably expected to advance internationally outstanding research and to apply the outcomes of that research to effect socioeconomic changes as Universities for International Research Excellence. The Universities for International Research Excellence program provides subsidies through the government’s University Endowment Fund for Research System Strengthening Plans prepared by these universities.

• Open Application Guidelines for Accreditation of Universities for International Research Excellence and Approval of Research Systems Strengthening Plans for Universities for International Research Excellence | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
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