The OIST PhD Program is the doctoral degree of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University in Onna, Okinawa. It has no departments and more than 90 research labs.
Year one combines courses with rotations through three labs; year two starts thesis research and ends in a qualifying exam; years three to five finish the thesis. Fields include physics, chemistry, mathematics and computing, marine science, neuroscience, biology and ecology.
Benefits & funding
- Full tuition covered for every student, whatever their nationality.
- Taxable Research Assistantship of about JPY 2.6 million in year one, rising with progress to about JPY 3.6 million.
- Relocation and travel to Okinawa paid; conference travel budgeted separately.
- Subsidised campus housing (single room JPY 21,600 a month).
- Duty: no part-time work elsewhere.
Eligibility
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree (or equivalent), or expected completion before enrollment.
- Open to all nationalities.
- Graduates of non-English-speaking universities need a TOEFL iBT or IELTS score from the last two years (no minimum score); those taught in English can submit proof instead.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Choose Faculty of Interest from the supervision-availability list; do not seek faculty approval beforehand.
- 2Apply online in English, with a statement of purpose of at most 800 words, and pay the JPY 5,000 fee (non-refundable, no waivers) by 15 Nov 2026, 23:59 JST.
- 3Arrange 2–5 letters from professorial-level faculty, none from OIST members; two must arrive before you can submit.
- 4Shortlisted applicants interview online with four faculty members.
Program timeline
Application deadline (23:59 JST)
15 Nov 2026
Shortlist announced
Late Dec 2026
Online interviews
18 Jan – 7 Feb 2027
Final results
Mid-Feb 2027
Enrollment
1 May 2027, 1 Sep 2027 or 1 Jan 2028