KMI/NITEP School 2026: Dark Matter — From Ultra Light To Super Massive
This year’s edition focuses on dark matter, covering a broad landscape of candidates such as WIMPs and axions/ALPs. The lectures will address both theoretical frameworks (from cosmological production mechanisms to model building and astrophysical constraints) and experimental approaches (direct and indirect detection, collider probes, and novel instrumentation).
KMI at Nagoya University
The Kobayashi–Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe (KMI) at Nagoya University was established in 2010 to explore new frontiers of modern physics beyond the Standard Model. In 2018 we launched the annual KMI School, at which distinguished researchers deliver lectures on a focused theme each year. The School is intended for graduate students and young postdoctoral researchers; we warmly encourage the young members of your groups to participate.
To further strengthen this focus, KMI recently established the Dark Matter International Research Center (DarMa) in April 2025, aiming to catalyze worldwide collaboration across theory, astrophysics, and particle-physics experiments through workshops and joint research.
Jointly organized with NITEP at Osaka Metropolitan University
The 6th KMI School (KMI/NITEP School 2026) is jointly organized with the Nambu Yoichiro Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics (NITEP), Osaka Metropolitan University. We are delighted to collaborate with NITEP to provide participants with a comprehensive and up-to-date view of dark matter research.
Osaka Metropolitan University was established in 2022 through the merger of Osaka City University and Osaka Prefecture University. Osaka City University was known to be the only university in Japan where Yoichiro Nambu taught as a professor before he left for the US. In 2013, the University conferred upon Professor Nambu the title of Special Emeritus Professor in recognition of his receipt of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics.
NITEP was established in 2018, bearing Professor Nambu’s name. Guided by the spirit of Professor Nambu’s contributions to physics, the institute pursues research across the full spectrum of the discipline. As its name suggests, NITEP encompasses both theoretical and experimental physics, and its members conduct research in areas ranging from particle and astrophysics to condensed-matter physics.
We are now pleased to strengthen our research collaboration with the KMI of Nagoya University by co-organizing this school.
Dates & Venue
- Dates: March 9–11, 2026 (Mon–Wed)
- Venue: KMI Science Symposia (ES635), Nagoya University (Higashiyama Campus)
Registration
- Participation Fee: Free
- Important Dates:
- Jan. 9, 2026: Deadline for VISA support application
- Jan. 20, 2026: Deadline for travel suppoirt application
- Feb. 9, 2026: Deadline for registration
Lecturers
- John Ellis
- Akira Miyazaki
- Hidetoshi Otono
- Alejandro Ibarra
- Masaki Yamashita
