The Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, established an 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 highly motivated and excellent international students to join the IGC-DHS.

The focus of the study should be one of the following:
Mathematics / Condensed Matter Physics / Cosmosciences / Earth & Planetary Dynamics / Earth & Planetary System Sciences / Seismology & Volcanology / Biodiversity / Science Communication

Number of available slots for the IGC-DHS program (October 2027 intake)
    Five fully-funded MEXT scholarships
    ● 4 doctoral students (3 years)
    ● 1 master’s student (2 years)

 Application Procedure(October 2027 Intake)

1.Check the basic requirements for the application.
　>>the basic requirements

2. Contact a prospective supervisor.
     Discuss your suitability for this scholarship with a prospective supervisor.
     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 difficulty finding the e-mail addresses of prospective supervisors, please contact the Office for International Academic Support for assistance: https://forms.gle/o3ZPXVxUhZ5LbfeGA.
　You are advised to attach supporting documents regarding your qualifications (such as your CV, transcripts, English language proficiency test scores, and a motivation letter) when contacting prospective supervisors.

3. Submit application documents (for the first stage)
　After your prospective supervisor agrees with your application to the scholarship, submit the following documents (a-f) in PDF format to the Office for International Academic Support <international (at) sci.hokudai.ac.jp> between October 1st to November 15th 2026, for the initial screening.

　a. Application Form (Appended Form 5) *
　b. Field of Study and Study Program (Appended Form 6)
    c. A copy of a recent official academic transcript and a grade conversion chart
　d. A copy of objective evidence of the eligibility of English proficiency
  　(ex. Cambridge ESOL/IELTS/TOEFL iBT/TOEIC L&R and TOEIC S&W certificates/Medium of　Instruction (MOI) Certificate) **
　e. Checklist
　f. A copy of the applicant’s valid passport
　
* Please upload a recent passport-style digital photo (taken within the last 6 months). Specifications: 　45mm x 35mm, full face, upper body, and no headwear.
** English language test scores must be obtained in or after December 2024.

4. Initial screening by each department

5. Final screening by the IGC-DHS committee (tentative schedule: January  2027)

6. Submit additional documents (for the final stage)
　Successful applicants will be notified and asked to submit additional documents as follows (tentative schedule: January 2027).　It is recommended to prepare well in advance. However, please note that the required submission documents may be subject to change.

　g. Recommendation letter (from the dean or above-level person in charge in your home institution,     addressed to the President of Hokkaido University)
　h. A copy of the applicant’s valid passport
　i. Official Transcript(s) issued by the last academic institution previously attended
　j. Pledge
　k. Certificate of graduation (or expected graduation) or diploma
　l. Objective data that indicates the applicant’s academic excellence
　m. Summary of master’s degree thesis (or undergraduate research)
　n. Objective document(s) that indicate the applicant’s English proficiency

7. Submission to the MEXT from the university
　The nominees who passed the final screening will be recommended to the MEXT (Japanese government) by Hokkaido University’s president in March 2027.

8. Processing by the MEXT
　MEXT determines the scholarship grantees and the period of scholarship.

9. Results will be announced to applicants (tentative schedule: June 2027)

Note

・Please note that the guidelines and the submission documents may be subject to change.
・All documents mentioned above must be submitted in English. Documents should be word 　processed on A4 white paper wherever possible.
・Submitted documents will not be returned to the applicant.
・Please ensure each scanned or saved image is clear and legible before submitting your application.
・Applications that are incomplete, incorrect, or lack sufficient supporting materials will be excluded 　from consideration.
・Late applications will be excluded from consideration (deadlines should be strictly observed).
・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 the Office for International Academic Support.
https://forms.gle/o3ZPXVxUhZ5LbfeGA