About the International Graduate Program “IGC-DHS”
The Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University established a new international graduate program “International Graduate Course for Data-driven and Hypothesis-driven Science (IGC-DHS)” in 2023. The IGC-DHS aims to develop the next generation of top scientists with both data-driven and hypothesis-driven multifaceted perspectives in the natural sciences. We are currently seeking out well-motivated and excellent international students to join the IGC-DHS. The focus of study should be one of the following; Mathematics, Cosmosciences, Condensed Matter Physics, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Earth & Planetary Dynamics, Seismology & Volcanology, Biodiversity, and Science Communication.
Number of MEXT Scholarship (IGC-DHS Special Slot) for enrollment in October 2025
4 fully-funded MEXT scholarships
● 3 doctoral students (3 years)
● 1 master’s student (2 years)
● 3 doctoral students (3 years)
● 1 master’s student (2 years)
Application procedure
(for enrollment in October 2025)
1. Check basic requirements for the application.
2. Contact prospective supervisors to discuss your suitability for this scholarship as soon as possible. You can find lists of faculty members on the following web pages.
・ Mathematics: https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/gs/en/dm
・ Condensed Matter Physics: https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/gs/en/dcmp
・ Cosmosciences: https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/gs/en/dc
・ Natural History Sciences: https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/gs/en/dnhs
(If you have a problem finding the e-mail addresses of prospective supervisors, please contact the Office for International Academic Support <international (at) sci.hokudai.ac.jp> for support.)
(We recommend attaching objective data about your qualification (such as CV, transcripts, a score of English language proficiency, motivation letter, etc.) when contacting prospective supervisors.)
3. After your prospective supervisor agrees with your application to the scholarship, submit the following documents (a～e) in PDF format to the Office for International Academic Support <international (at) sci.hokudai.ac.jp> from 1st October to 30th November 2024 for the initial screening.
Initial screening documents
c. A copy of a recent official academic transcript
d. A copy of objective evidence of the eligibility of English proficiency (incl. Cambridge ESOL/IELTS/TOEFL iBT/TOEIC L&R and TOEIC S&W certificates)
e. Checklist
* Insert a passport-style photograph taken in the last 6 months in electronic format onto your application form, cut to 45mm x 35mm, upper body, full-faced, uncapped.
4. Initial screening in each department.
5. Final screening by the IGC-DHS committee (tentative: December 2024)
6. The successful applicants will be notified and asked to submit additional documents as follows. (tentative: January 2025)
– Recommendation letter (from the dean or above level person in charge in your home institution, addressed to the President of Hokkaido University)
– Photocopy of a valid passport
– Official Transcript issued by the last academic institution previously attended
– Additional info confirmation sheet
– Certificate of graduation (or expected graduation) or diploma
– Objective data that indicates that the applicant’s academic excellence
– Summary of master’s degree thesis (or undergraduate research)
– Objective documents that indicate the applicant’s English proficiency
7. Students who passed the final screening will be recommended to the MEXT (Japanese government) by Hokkaido university’s president in March 2025.
8. MEXT determines the scholarship recipients and each scholarship period.
9. Final outcomes will be announced in June 2025 (tentative)
Notes
i) All documents mentioned above must be submitted in English. Documents should be word processed on A4 white paper wherever possible.
ii) Submitted documents will not be returned to the applicant.
iii) Ensure each scanned or saved image is clear and easy to read before submitting your application.
iv) Incomplete or incorrect application documents, or applications with insufficient supporting documents will be excluded from consideration.
v) Late applications will be excluded from consideration (deadlines should be strictly observed).
vi) In some countries, an administrative authority representative may issue documents such as recommendation letters or certificates of graduation. The applicants are advised to confirm the content to be written on their graduation documents with their former/graduating university.
If you have any inquiries, do not hesitate to contact to Office for International Academic Support <international (at) sci.hokudai.ac.jp>