International Activities

Activities toward international cooperations

NIG conducts various programs to support the entire scientific community and to strengthen interactions among researchers worldwide.
The “NIG-Joint” collaboration grant includes a special program to support visitors from abroad. In the genetic resource center, the bioresources developed and collected are provided to research institutions not only in Japan but also abroad. NIG has supported many workshops
aimed towards promising international collaborations and cooperations in the future. Enhancing scientific communication skills is another way that NIG contributes to promote international collaborations. NIG has developed an educational curriculum for effective scientific presentation called the “NIG Method” – and disseminates this methodology to aid globalization of the scientific community.

NIG International Symposium

Every year National Institute of Genetics (NIG) organizes an international symposium of various fields of biology and genetics to promote research and academic interactions among researchers from NIG, Japan, and all over the world. In FY 2024, “Genome organization and diversity of SMC complexes” was held. International and domestic invited lecturers and NIG researchers gave lectures on their latest research, and active question and answer sessions took place.

• Date: Oct. 15-18, 2024
• Venue: Plaza Verde at Numazu

Support for International Researchers

NIG is committed to support international researchers so that they can dedicate themselves to research in a stimulating but yet unfamiliar environment. New international NIG members will receive assistance from the NIG Internationalization Promotion Committee with their initial move to Japan – and throughout their stay at NIG / SOKENDAI. The support includes help in visa applications, administrative procedures upon relocation/employment, flat hunting and medical care. We will also provide useful information of the area to enrich your academic and personal life in Mishima.

NIG International Members

NIG has always had international researchers and students carrying out research activities for various period of time. We currently have a total of 39 international members (including 23 graduate students of the Genetics Program, SOKENDAI) as of February 2025. They are from Kazakhstan/China (8 members from each), India (4 members), USA (3 members), Taiwan/Korea (2 members from each) and UK/Russia/Italy/Vietnam/France/Ghana/Mexico/Bangladesh/Syria/Indonesia/Egypt/Denmark (1 member from each).

In tea gatherings held regularly for the international members, newcomers would attach their portraits to a world map showing where they come from. With time passing, the map has become filled up as more people joining NIG from all over the world.