OIST Research Internship Program 2026

The research internship program at OIST is a short-term placement of 3-6 months in a laboratory of their choice given the suitability of the intended research, academic background, available funding, and available space in the desired host unit. Students may choose their short-term research project from a diverse range of research fields, such as physics, chemistry, mathematical and computational sciences, marine sciences, neuroscience, molecular, cellular, and developmental biology, environmental and ecological science and quantum science. 

The application fee for the Research Internship Program is 3,000 JPY. It is not refundable on any circumstances, nor are fee waivers offered for personal financial situations at this time.

• Table of Content
• About Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
• OIST Internship
• Aim and Benefits of OIST Internship
• Requirements for OIST Internship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

OIST Internship

Aim and Benefits of OIST Internship

The following support is only available for the research intern and does not extend to dependents, family members, or others.

• Travel Expenses: One direct round-trip air ticket (travel date will be closest date to the term of placement)
• Accommodation: Furnished accommodation on or off campus, funded by OIST or the research unit
• Administrative Support: Acquisition of Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) for your visa application and as well as registration procedures
• Internship Allowance: 2,400 JPY per working day
• Transportation Support: OIST Shuttle Bus Pass

Requirements for OIST Internship Qualification

• Those who are currently enrolled in their last two years of a bachelor's degree, enrolled in any year of a master's degree in universities, colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools in Japan or overseas, or those who have graduated with a bachelor's or master's degree, are eligible to apply for the Research Internship at OIST.
• If you will be in your final two years of a bachelor's degree by the start of the proposed internship duration, you are also eligible to apply.
• Currently enrolled students must have approval from their home institution. The academic background of applicants should be appropriate to their desired host unit(s) at OIST.
• The Research Internship is intended for those who need more research experience and who are interested in joining OIST's PhD Program later. Current or graduated PhD students who wish to collaborate with OIST should look for other opportunities such as Workshops or Careers at OIST.
• Research Interns who belong to a Japanese university/institution are required to prepare and bring their own insurances when accepted to the OIST Research Internship Program. Acceptable insurances are the combination of Gakkensai and Gakkenbai, or other insurances with similar coverage.

Documents Required for Application

1. Transcript and Diploma
   Scanned copies of your current academic transcript and any other transcript from your past degree (BSc, MSc, etc.) along with completed diploma (BSc, MSc, etc.) in PDF format.
   • A scan of an unofficial transcript or other record of grades may be uploaded to the application website.
   • English explanation is required for transcripts that are not written in English.
   • If you have not graduated and do not have a diploma yet, please upload a certificate of enrollment from your institution, preferably indicating your expected graduation date.
2. Statement of Purpose
   This should be no more than 400 words (2500 characters) and should address the following points:
   • How does OIST and your desired research unit(s) fit with your current expertise and skill set? If you are interested in multiple research units, please explain your interest and fit for each unit briefly within one single statement.
   • What do you hope to accomplish at OIST?
   • How does a research internship at OIST fit into your overall career plans/aspirations?
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   Please provide a current CV summarizing your academic background, research experience, skills, and accomplishments. You may use any standard CV format.
4. Recommendation Letter
   Applicants must submit 1 to 3 letters of recommendation in English from professorial-level faculty who know you and can describe your academic potential as a researcher. Letters from lab members or postdocs are not eligible.
   You may submit your application only after at least one recommendation letter is received in the application system. Please note that OIST does not accept direct submissions from applicants.
5. Passport
   The application system requires applicants to provide their passport number and upload a scan of the passport photo page. It is essential for applicants from outside Japan to have a valid passport for travel to Japan. Ensure that you include your passport details during the application process. If you do not have a passport at the time of application, you can upload other government-issued identification documents instead.
6. ID Photo
   Please upload a recent photo taken within the last three months, showing your face from the front in standard passport orientation.
7. English Proficiency Score (optional)
   An English Proficiency Score (iELTS/TOEFL) is not required for the Research Internship application. However, you may upload it if you believe it to strengthen your application.

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• To apply for the program, you must create an account.
• Please prepare all required documents in English, save them as a PDF file, and upload them to the application website. You can complete the application in one session or save your progress and return to finish it later.

For more information, kindly visit OIST Internship webpage.