OIST Research Internship Program 2027
Applications are now open for the OIST Research Internship Program 2027 in Japan, offering undergraduate students, Master’s students and eligible recent graduates the opportunity to gain practical research experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The programme is hosted by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), where participants can experience an international academic and research environment.
Selected research interns are placed within an OIST research unit and work under the guidance of experienced faculty members. During the internship, participants can take part in ongoing research activities, strengthen their technical and research abilities, and gain firsthand experience working in a world-class research setting.
The programme is particularly relevant for students who want to build a stronger research background or explore the possibility of pursuing doctoral studies at OIST in the future. It provides an opportunity to develop academic skills, work closely with researchers and gain international research exposure that can support future postgraduate and STEM career goals.
SUMMARY
- Company/Organisation(s): Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
- Program Type: Research Internship
- Program Location: Okinawa, Japan
- Program Duration: 4–6 months
- Available Slots: Limited
- Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s and Master’s Students/Graduates
- Nationality: All Nationalities
Program Overview
The OIST Graduate School Research Internship Program provides short-term research placements in laboratories across a wide range of STEM disciplines.
Available research areas include physics, chemistry, mathematical and computational sciences, marine sciences, neuroscience, molecular, cellular and developmental biology, environmental and ecological sciences, and quantum science.
The current application round is for the Spring 2027 Internship, with successful applicants undertaking their internship between April 1 and September 30, 2027. Each internship must last between four months (120 days) and six months within this period.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the OIST Research Internship Program 2027 should meet the following requirements:
- Be currently enrolled in the last two years of a bachelor’s degree, or be expected to reach the final two years by the proposed internship start date.
- Be enrolled in any year of a master’s degree at an institution in Japan or overseas.
- Graduates who already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree are also eligible.
- Currently enrolled students must obtain approval from their home institution.
- Applicants should have an academic background appropriate to their preferred OIST research unit.
- Current or graduated PhD students are not eligible for the Research Internship Program.
Selection is competitive and considers the applicant’s academic background, suitability for the intended research, available funding and available space in the preferred research unit.
Internship Benefits
OIST provides selected research interns with financial and administrative support, including:
- Internship allowance of ¥2,400 per working day.
- One direct round-trip air ticket to and from OIST.
- Furnished accommodation on or off campus funded by OIST or the research unit.
- Support with obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) required for the visa application.
- Assistance with registration procedures.
- OIST Shuttle Bus Pass for transportation.
The support is provided for the research intern and does not extend to accompanying dependants or family members.
How to Apply
Applications for the OIST Research Internship Program 2027 are submitted online through the OIST Graduate School application system.
Interested applicants should:
- Create an account and complete the application through the OIST application portal.
- Select the OIST faculty/research units that best match your academic background and research interests.
- Prepare all required application documents in English and PDF format and upload them to the application system.
- Request between one and three recommendation letters from professorial-level faculty members who can assess your academic and research potential.
- Ensure that at least one recommendation letter has been received through the application system before attempting to submit the application.
- Provide the required passport information and upload the passport photo page. Applicants without a passport at the time of application may provide another government-issued identification document.
- Pay the ¥5,000 application fee, which is non-refundable.
- Review the completed application and submit it online before the application deadline.
Applicants should not contact OIST faculty directly to obtain approval before applying through the Graduate School selection process.
Application Documents
Applicants are required to prepare:
- Academic transcript(s).
- Bachelor’s or master’s diploma, where applicable.
- Certificate of enrolment for applicants who have not yet graduated.
- Statement of Purpose of no more than 250 words (1,500 characters).
- Current CV.
- One to three recommendation letters.
- Passport or other accepted government-issued identification.
- Recent passport-style photograph.
- English proficiency score, if available (optional).
An IELTS or TOEFL score is not required for the Research Internship application.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2027 at 23:59 JST (UTC+9).
The results for the Spring 2027 internship round are expected to be announced in mid-December 2027, while selected interns will undertake their placements between April 1 and September 30, 2027.
Visit the Official Website for Further Details