News
2026/05/29
Official Call for Applications! GTIE Overseas Bootcamp for Graduate Students (GTIE Doctoral Program) Academic Year 2026
GTIE (Greater Tokyo Innovation Ecosystem), with the support of JST, plans to conduct a program (GTIE Overseas Bootcamp for Graduate Students) for graduate students (master’s and doctoral students) who belong to universities participating in GTIE as a lead or joint institution and who intend to start their own businesses in the future, with the aim of cultivating entrepreneurial knowledge and practical skills essential for commercialization based on their own field of expertise. The GTIE Overseas Bootcamp for Graduate Students (hereinafter referred to as the “Program”) is a program for graduate students (master’s and doctoral students) who intend to start their own businesses in the future and are affiliated with a university participating in a core joint institution.
This program is designed to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and build an international human network with a view to social implementation of research results in the deep-tech field, and is centered on two overseas training sessions, from pre-departure training to post-departure follow-up.
During the pre-departure training, in addition to acquiring basic knowledge of entrepreneurship, participants examine the feasibility of commercializing their research themes. In addition, the participants themselves will be responsible for developing and selecting a host country for the overseas research dispatch (OD2), thereby strengthening their independence and ability to take action. After dispatch, participants will be provided with opportunities to report on their findings and receive feedback from each other, thereby supporting the consolidation of their learning and the sustainable development of their networks. Through this series of processes, the program will continue until March 2027, aiming to nurture human resources who will take on the challenge of commercialization and entrepreneurship utilizing deep technology.
Students selected for this program will receive support from GTIE for overseas travel, accommodation, and program attendance expenses. Participants will work on business hypothesis testing and trial development of services and products, and continue commercialization activities after the program ends. Graduate students affiliated with universities participating in GTIE are encouraged to consider applying for this program.
Program Contents: (1) Pre-departure training in Japan (PT1: June 19 and 20, 2026, PT2: June to July 2026, online participation, approx. 2 hours each x 4 sessions) (2) Dispatch of trainees (OD1: August 10-21, 2026, Toronto, Canada) 3) Research dispatch (OD2: September 2026 – January 2027, for 2 weeks to 1 month *) 4) Post-dispatch program (RM: March 2027, debriefing session) Note: Implementation dates are tentative. *Please consult with the host institution and make your own arrangements.
Number of applicants: Approx. 6 people
Eligibility and main conditions for application: Students enrolled in a master’s or doctoral course (including students enrolled in an integrated doctoral course, but excluding those on leave of absence) who are affiliated with a university that is a GTIE lead or joint institution as of April 1, 2026 and will be enrolled until the end of March, 2027. Students who are currently enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program (including students enrolled in an integrated doctoral program, excluding those on a leave of absence) and who are considering commercializing the results of their university research (including their own research being conducted under the guidance of faculty members in their university’s laboratories). Students who have a strong interest in social implementation, including the commercialization of their own research. Participate in all the required programs (PT1, PT2, OD1, OD2, RM) listed in the program structure. Have the consent of the faculty advisor to participate in all activities in this program. Have obtained the consent of the supervising professor for participation in all activities of this program. Have no obstacles in communicating in English in his/her own research field and be willing to work positively in business English. Applicants must be able to prepare application documents for this program and communicate with relevant personnel in Japanese.
Application deadline: Thursday, June 4, 2026 at noon
Click here for the application guideline
Click here for application form
Click here for online pre-application https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca-VGdyxDJm4E7ECKbiAyKfv48NlOM7UzfIKbpFyyGnTkwrA/viewform?usp=header
*This program is part of the GTIE Student Entrepreneurship Program (GTIE SEP) offered by GTIE to students of universities participating in GTIE. *In addition to GTIE, students from other PFs selected by JST for the START Startup Ecosystem Formation Support Program (“students recommended by other PFs”) will participate in part of this program.
*Please refer to the interviews with the previous participants! [ Student Interview ] To deliver research results to patients. The challenge of a medical device researcher who gained a viewpoint of social implementation overseas.