About the Off-Campus Study Plus Program

The Off-Campus Study Plus Program provides support for travel and related expenses necessary for engaging in off-campus activities such as research abroad, joint research projects, and internships.

This program is especially valuable for those looking to step outside our institute’s research environment in order to gain new insights and build international academic networks in specialized external settings.

Applications may be submitted multiple times during the support period, offering flexibility to align with your academic and career development goals.

To help guide you through the program details and application procedures, an informative video is available on this page.
If you are considering applying, we encourage you to check it out.

Click here to watch the video.

A password is required to view the video (the same password used to log in to the SPRING website).

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93.1% of users reported “satisfied” and stated it would be “useful for their future careers.”

A significant majority of students supported by the Off-Campus Study Plus program, who undertook experiences such as studying abroad, engaging in collaborative research, and pursuing internships, highly rate their involvement as beneficial for their future careers.

Source: “Off-Campus Study Plus Achievement Report” (As of July 1, 2025)

Below, we present excerpts from the achievement reports of students who gained new knowledge and built valuable networks through the Off-Campus Study Plus initiative.

For approximately half a year, I engaged in cutting-edge research on RF circuit design at a leading university in Switzerland. This experience not only enhanced my technical knowledge and problem-solving skills but also provided me with a fresh perspective on research. Engaging in English discussions with multinational colleagues improved my technical communication skills and taught me the importance of new perspectives and flexible thinking. I believe these gains will be a great asset for future international research and collaborations. Upon arriving, I initially faced living challenges, such as securing housing and obtaining a visa. However, by proactively resolving these issues, I became more self-reliant and adept at managing problems abroad, fostering significant personal growth. I am confident that the invaluable time I spent on this off-campus study will be an irreplaceable asset for my future life and career. (School of Engineering Student Y)

During my exchange at a prestigious university in Germany, I gained hands-on experience assembling and testing zinc-air batteries, including configuring test parameters and evaluating their performance. I also presented my findings to professors, receiving valuable feedback. Beyond research, I actively participated in lab social events, which greatly enhanced my international communication and collaboration skills. I look forward to supporting German exchange students visiting our lab in October 2025. (School of Materials and Chemical Technology Student V)

This off-campus study period in the UK and the Netherlands significantly advanced my studies and expanded my professional network. In the UK, I deepened my research at two prestigious universities, receiving direct feedback from a renowned professor. This provided practical advice and key insights into future development. I also engaged in lively discussions with newly acquainted students, exploring potential collaborative research. The intensive design science course I took in the Netherlands, built on prior learning, equipped me with practical knowledge and know-how, including research question formulation and theorization methods, while also establishing valuable connections. Overall, this off-campus study period was an exceptionally fruitful opportunity to enhance my academic work. (School of Environment and Society Student I)

Beyond the experiences shared above, we’ve published even more accounts from those who utilized the Off-Campus Study Plus program in our TOPICS section*. We encourage you to explore these stories as a valuable reference for considering your own off-campus study opportunities.

* Most of the information is in Japanese.