Hitotsubashi University leads Japan's research grant adoption rankings

The University Power Ranking has released its 2026 edition of the university rankings based on the new adoption rate of Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi). The study analyzed 158 national, public, and private universities in Japan that submitted at least 100 new applications, using data provided by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Hitotsubashi University ranked first with a 54.3% adoption rate, making it the only institution among the surveyed group to exceed 50%. Ochanomizu University followed in second place with a 44.0% rate, marking the largest increase among the top ten. Tokyo University of Foreign Studies took third place with 42.6%.

Among large-scale institutions with over 300 applications, the University of Tokyo ranked first with a 38.0% adoption rate, followed by Kyoto University (37.3%) and Keio University (37.0%). Hosei University and Rikkyo University tied for fourth place overall with 39.9%, while Shizuoka Prefectural University was the only public university to appear in the top ten.