Approval has been granted for the establishment of two on-site laboratories (listed below) on Friday 18 September 2026, bringing the total to eighteen.
Kyoto University launched the On-site Laboratory Initiative in September 2018 as part of its strategy under the Ministry of Education’s Designated National University (DNU) program. The initiative enables academic departments and centers at Kyoto University to establish laboratories in collaboration with overseas partners, which are hosted on the campuses of either or both institutions and are locally managed.
The laboratories are tasked with conducting world-leading advanced research, developing quality human capital, recruiting talented international students, and expanding collaboration with industrial partners. Through these efforts, Kyoto University aims to strengthen its institutional infrastructure with a view to playing a greater role in international academia, and further contribute to development and innovation.
Two On-site Laboratories approved for establishment in FY2026
| Laboratory name | 【Research field】 Purposes | Kyoto University graduate school/institute | Partner institution | Establishment (scheduled) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute for Advanced Study, Division of Global Research Excellence, Overseas PI Laboratory (Comparative Epigenomics) | 【Life Sciences】 Strengthening research capabilities in human biology through collaborative research with McGill Univ., and educational collaboration through the Joint PhD Program | Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (KUIAS) | McGill University, Canada | October 2018 |
| Kyoto University–University of Zurich Next-Generation Medicine Laboratory | 【Cell and Gene Therapies】 Develop next-generation medicine and globally minded scientific leaders for careers in academia, industry, and other sectors | Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA) | University of Zurich, Switzerland | October 2026 |
Related links
- Programs under the Designated National University (DNU) initiative
- News: Kyoto U named Designated National University (30 June 2017)
- News: KyotoU to open fifth “on-site laboratory” (18 December 2018)
- News: Establishment of six new ‘on-site labs’ approved (23 July 2019)
- News: Establishment of new ‘on-site lab’ approved (22 December 2020)
- News: Establishment of new ‘on-site lab’ approved (28 September 2021)
- News: Establishment of three new On-site Laboratories approved (26 September 2024)
- News: Establishment of two new On-site Laboratories approved (26 September 2025)
