Strengthening Research Infrastructure
and Building a Collaborative Research Environment
Hokkaido University is advancing university-wide institutional development to create an environment that facilitates innovative, interdisciplinary, and internationally collaborative research.
Through J-PEAKS initiatives, the university is strengthening research management and support structures, promoting collaboration across academic disciplines, and strengthening ties with industry and international partners. It is also developing shared research facilities, technical support systems, and data infrastructure to improve access to research resources and promote their effective use.
By creating a more flexible and collaborative research environment, Hokkaido University aims to translate research excellence into solutions to societal challenges and meaningful societal impact.
What's New
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September 18, 2026- NEWS
Hokkaido University participated in Asia Bio Partnering Forum 2026 -
September 8, 2026- EVENTS
[ITeCH] Debriefing Session for the Two-Way Technical Staff Development Program with UMass Amherst -
September 4, 2026- NEWS
Hokkaido University and 15th Rock establish university venture fund “Hokkaido University Green Frontier Fund I Investment Limited Partnership”
Institute for Integrated Innovations
Established in January 2025, Hokkaido University’s Institute for Integrated Innovations brings together research support functions from across the university.
It provides comprehensive support for interdisciplinary research, industry-academia-government collaboration, the translation of research outcomes into societal applications, startups, and international research collaboration.
To advance J-PEAKS initiatives, the Institute has established three key functions
- J-PEAKS Planning and Management Office coordinates research support across the university and provides seamless support from research planning through societal implementation to create meaningful impact
- Collaborative Research Platform supports the creation of interdisciplinary research units and promotes the development of new research hubs through cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, while fostering early-career researchers
- Hokudai Connect strengthens collaboration with universities in Japan and abroad, local governments, and industry to advance the societal application of research outcomes and help address societal challenges
Integrated URA Office
To strengthen its research capabilities, Hokkaido University reorganized its research management department into the Integrated URA Office in April 2024, adding management support functions for both research advancement and institutional management. To develop URAs (research managers) as professionals who play a central role in university management, Hokkaido University provides them with stable employment as permanent, full-time staff members.
URAs further develop their expertise through secondments and training programs. They serve as liaisons coordinating collaboration with other J-PEAKS universities and as key members of the J-PEAKS Planning and Management Office, where they advance the planning and implementation of priority research projects and conduct research capacity assessments.
The Office also welcomes staff members, including URAs, from J-PEAKS partner institutions and other universities and organizations in Hokkaido and beyond to participate in training programs. Through these programs, Hokkaido University contributes to the professional development of research support personnel.
Institute for the Promotion of Business-Regional Collaboration
To strengthen its capacity for global industry-academia collaboration, Hokkaido University established the University-Industry Global Development Office in April 2024. In addition to its Industry-Academia Collaboration Satellite Office in Tokyo, the university opened a North American base in Boston in September 2022 and an Asian base in Singapore in May 2024, with plans to establish a European base in Germany in October 2026.
Through these overseas bases, Hokkaido University is expanding collaboration with international companies, promoting joint research and technology transfer, and supporting the global expansion of university startups, while also developing new sources of revenue.
Office for Integrated Technical Core Hub (ITeCH)
To enhance technical expertise and research support, Hokkaido University established the Office for Integrated Technical Core Hub (ITeCH) in July 2025, bringing technical staff across the university together under a unified organization. The university also introduced new managerial positions and a highly specialized professional position, Technical Scientist (TS).
Through ITeCH, the university is promoting the effective deployment of technical staff across the university and the strategic assignment of highly specialized professionals. It is also enhancing professional development through initiatives such as staff exchanges with international partner institutions, while improving its human resources system. Through these efforts, Hokkaido University aims to strengthen its research infrastructure and foster greater collaboration.
Information Initiative Center
The Information Initiative Center completed development of the Hokkaido University Connected Intelligence Exchange Platform (HUCIEP) in October 2025. HUCIEP is a research digital transformation (DX) platform consisting of infrastructure for research data sharing and AI utilization. Pilot operations of its research data storage and generative AI testing environment began in January 2026.
In addition to HUCIEP, the J-PEAKS initiative provides hands-on support for research units under the Collaborative Research Platform to advance data-driven and AI-driven research. This includes support for implementing AI software in the University’s supercomputing environment and for image analysis.
