Internship•Japan · Onna

OIST Research Internship

Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

Apr 1, 2027 – Sep 30, 2027

The OIST Research Internship is a short-term laboratory placement of 4 to 6 months hosted by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate School in Onna, Okinawa, Japan. Interns join a research unit of their choice and work under OIST faculty across physics, chemistry, mathematical and computational sciences, marine sciences, neuroscience, molecular/cellular/developmental biology, environmental and ecological science, and quantum science. It is aimed at students in the final two years of a bachelor’s degree, master’s students enrolled in any year, and recent bachelor’s or master’s graduates who want hands-on research experience at an English-language, international graduate institute. Two intake rounds run each year.

Benefits & funding

  • Daily allowance of 2,400 JPY per working day
  • One direct round-trip air ticket to Okinawa
  • Furnished accommodation on or near campus, funded by OIST or the host research unit
  • OIST shuttle bus pass
  • Support obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) for the visa, plus registration assistance
  • Supervision by OIST faculty in the chosen research unit
  • Note: a non-refundable application fee of 3,000 JPY applies, and no fee waivers are offered

Eligibility

  • Open to students currently enrolled in the last two years of a bachelor’s degree, master’s students enrolled in any year, and those who have graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree
  • Current or graduated PhD students are not eligible
  • Academic background should match the chosen host unit
  • Currently enrolled students need approval from their home institution
  • Open to applicants from Japanese and international institutions; no nationality requirement is stated
  • English-proficiency tests (IELTS/TOEFL) are optional, not required
  • Interns from Japanese institutions must arrange their own insurance (e.g. Gakkensai/Gakkenbai)

Application process

  1. 1
    Create an online account on the OIST application portal and identify the research unit(s) you wish to join.
  2. 2
    Prepare the required documents in English as PDFs: academic transcript, statement of purpose (no more than 400 words / 2,500 characters), CV, passport scan, and a recent ID photo.
  3. 3
    Arrange at least one recommendation letter (1–3 allowed) from professorial-level faculty; letters from lab members or postdocs are not accepted.
  4. 4
    Pay the 3,000 JPY application fee and submit before the round deadline (23:59 JST).

Program timeline

  1. Fall 2026 round application deadline (closed) — placement October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

    Apr 15, 2026

  2. Spring 2027 round application deadline (23:59 JST)

    Oct 15, 2026

  3. Mid-December 2026

    Spring 2027 results announced

  4. Spring 2027 placement window (a 4–6 month internship falls within this range)

    Apr 1, 2027 to Sep 30, 2027