Grant Research

MEXT's Support for Educational Reform in Public and Private Universities

To promote reform and revitalization in higher education under the principle of competition among national, public and private universities in Japan, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) provides priority financial support for excellent university educational projects. MEXT has chosen ICU for the following programs.

MEXT Website on support for university educational reform

Inter-University Exchange Project【COIL】

With the growth of student exchanges globally, Japan is strategically promoting quality-assured collaboration and student exchanges with universities in countries and regions important for Japan, to realize education of high quality and internationally recognized, as well as to enhance the internationalization of Japanese universities and strengthen the cooperation with their partner universities.

※COIL:Collaborative Online International Learning supported by MEXT. 

Academic Year Selected Name of Project Term Link
AY 2018 Trans-Pacific Collaborative Online International Learning for the Multiculturalism and Conflict- Resilience 2018~2022 TP-COIL(Joint project with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies)

Top Global University Project

The Top Global University Project is a funding project that aims to enhance the international compatibility and competitiveness of higher education in Japan. It provides prioritized support, combined with institutional reforms, for world-class and innovative universities that lead the internationalization of Japanese higher education through internal reforms and partnerships with leading institutions overseas.

Academic Year Selected Name of Project Term Link
AY 2014 Creating Responsible Global Citizens Through a Global Liberal Arts Educatio 2014~2023 Global ICU

Project for Promotion of Global Human Resource Development

The aim of this project is to enable Japan's younger generations to shed their 'innate introversion' and build a foundation for improving Japan's international competitiveness and bonds with other nations. It promotes systems that enhance the global nature of university education in order to cultivate individuals who can work and actively challenge themselves in the international arena.

Academic Year Selected Term Link
AY 2012 2012~2016 Global ICU

Distinctive University Education Program (Good Practice, GP)

This initiative supports distinctive and outstanding projects that contribute to the improvement of university education by offering advanced and abundant educational content and methods in accordance with university degree programs.

Project Classification Name of Project Term
Undergraduate Curriculum:
Other improved
or newly-developed methods
Educational Support for Liberal Arts to Nurture Intentional Learning: From Academic Advising to Academic Planning 2007~2009 Educational Support for Liberal Arts to Nurture Intentional Learning (Only in Japanese)
Theme 1: Comprehensive themes Liberal Arts to Nurture Responsible World Citizens 2003~2006 Liberal Arts to Nurture Responsible World Citizens

Program to Promote Internationalization of University Education

Strategic Support for International Cooperation

Under this initiative, MEXT offers financial support to outstanding projects involving active cooperation between Japanese universities and those overseas. The objective of the program is to enhance the international currency and compatibility of Japanese higher education and further strengthen its competitiveness in the world, thereby accelerating internationalization of higher education in Japan.

Name of Project Term
Developing Cooperation in International Service Learning: Building an Asian-African Network for Practical Application of an International Liberal Arts Education 2005~2008

Support for Research in Advanced Education Overseas

Support for Research in Advanced Education Overseas sends university faculty from Japan to study at educational institutions abroad to enhance the international competitiveness of higher education in Japan.

Term Name of Project
2006 Structure of International Understanding in the Era of Globalization (To enhance mutual understanding in Japan and North America/ Europe) One ICU faculty member sent
2007 Structure of International Understanding in the Era of Globalization (To improve liberal arts education) Two ICU faculty members sent

Support for Long-term Study Overseas

This initiative supports universities sending students to pursue long-term studies at a graduate school abroad on the universities' programs, with a view to earning a degree or undertaking research in a specialized area. The aim is to nurture individuals who can contribute to international society, and to strengthen the international competitiveness of Japanese higher education, thereby advancing the promotion of higher education reform in Japan.

Term Name of Project
2006; 2007 Support for Long-term Study Overseas Program Two ICU faculty members sent

Attractive Graduate School Education Initiative

This initiative offers priority support for enterprising and creative educational projects to nurture innovative young researchers capable of responding to current social needs. It promotes the organizational strengthening of graduate-level educational curricula and makes information about the selected projects widely available to the public, encouraging other graduate institutions to emulate the measures adopted in them.

Project Classification Name of Program Term
Humanities and social sciences A System of International Cooperation in Education and Training in Clinical Psychology 2005~2006

21st Century Center of Excellence Program (COE)

The 21st Century Center of Excellence Program is one of the three pillars announced by MEXT in its Policies for the Structural Reform of Universities. With the aim of promoting internationally competitive and highly distinctive universities in Japan, the program provides priority funding to universities aiming to establish a research and education center meeting the highest global standards.

Project Classification Name of Program Term
Interdisciplinary, compound disciplines,
new fields
Research and Education for Peace, Security and Conviviality 2003~2007
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