OIST Internship Program in Japan 2026

Research Intern places are awarded twice a year on a competitive basis. Selection is highly competitive, and depends on suitability of the intended research, academic background, available funding, and space. Not all available positions will necessarily be filled. For detailed explanations of the internship, please see Research Intern Details.

OIST strives to create and maintain an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment that does not discriminate against gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, medical condition, race, ethnicity, ancestry, culture, national origin, religion, or marital status. Applications from women and other underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

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

About Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University is a private, interdisciplinary graduate school located in Onna, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The school offers a 5-year PhD program in Science. Over half of the faculty and students are recruited from outside Japan, and all education and research is conducted entirely in English. OIST relies on public subsidies paid by the Japanese government.... read more... continue reading

OIST Internship Program

Application Deadline	15 Oct 2025
Country to study	Japan
School to study	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
Type	Internship
Sponsor	Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of OIST Internship Program

The following support is only available for the research intern

Internship Allowance
2,400 JPY per working day

Community Allowance
OIST Shuttle Bus Pass

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

Requirements for OIST Internship Program 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.

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.

Our 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.

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. Recommendation Letter
   Each applicant is required to have at least one and no more than three letters of recommendation from professorial-level faculty who knows you and your work personally. Letters from lab members or postdoctoral researchers are not eligible. If you include recommendations from industry experience, they must be from a manager who has supervised you.
4. 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. However, if you are selected for the program, OIST will need a copy of your valid passport immediately to prepare your visa application and travel arrangement.
5. ID Photo
   Please upload a recent photo taken within the last three months, showing your face from the front in standard passport orientation.

Application Deadline

October 15, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) on graduateschool.oist.jp to apply

For more details, visit OIST webpage