Industry-Academia Collaboration, Research Support, and Research Centers

Since fiscal year 2014, a University Research Administrator (URA) in charge of intellectual property and industry-academia collaboration has been stationed at the Integrated Medical Research Building of Keio University University School of Medicine. The URA collaborates with related departments to provide support for promoting research.

The Research Park, completed in 2001, is a rental space within the Integrated Medical Research Building. It provides a research environment—a research space of approximately 90–121 m² per unit—under specified conditions for carrying out specific research projects. The space is available for a maximum period of five years (an initial three-year term, extendable for up to two years upon review). A maximum of 42 units are available in the following six types.

Research projects conducted under a joint research agreement with one or more companies.

Research projects conducted under a joint research agreement with companies originating from Keio University University-affiliated startups that meet specific requirements.

Projects to promote interdisciplinary research across different fields—such as between basic and clinical sciences, internal medicine and surgery, and School of Medicine and Faculty of Pharmacy—based on collaboration between laboratories, departments, or larger units.

Research projects conducted as part of public projects funded by the national government or other entities.

Projects for early-career researchers to conduct their research independently.

Projects conducted by forming a consortium with multiple companies, research institutions, or other organizations.

Research Chairs are established to advance and enhance research and human resource development through research activities at School of Medicine and other institutions. They are also intended to enable a swift response to societal demands and changing conditions related to the university's social contributions through academic and industry-academia collaboration, while contributing to the diversification and internationalization of research and human resource development systems. These Research Chairs are divided into "Endowed Research Chairs" and "Joint Research Chairs."

A program established and operated to conduct research with funding from donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations.

A program established and operated to conduct research with funding from joint research agreements with corporations and other entities.

Keio University and JSR Corporation have jointly built and are operating the JSR-Keio University University medical sciences Chemistry Innovation Center (commonly known as JKiC) on the Shinanomachi Campus. This three-story, one-basement joint research building, opened in 2017, serves as a hub for industry-academia-medicine collaboration. This collaboration between a university School of Medicine and a chemical materials manufacturer is an initiative unprecedented in the world. Through close interaction supported by industry-academia-medicine collaboration, researchers from Keio University's School of Medicine and hospital, which provides integrated medical sciences and medical care from basic research to clinical practice, and chemical materials researchers from JSR, which develops advanced materials and products with the life sciences as a strategic business area, will work to realize a wide range of needs and advanced ideas in the medical field, creating research and business opportunities that lead to the establishment and dissemination of new diagnostic, therapeutic, and medical support technologies to support a society of health and longevity.

On October 21, 2020, based on a basic agreement concluded in 2008, Keio University University and RIKEN Research Centers and Institutes signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration and cooperation. The memorandum aims to promote co-creation and contribute to strengthening Japan's research capabilities and industrial competitiveness by establishing a collaborative research hub, expanding joint research opportunities, further promoting collaboration with industry, developing human resources, and creating innovation. Accordingly, the RIKEN Research Centers and Institutes - Keio University University Shinanomachi Campus Joint Research Hub has been established on the Shinanomachi Campus.