Program Description
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.
For details about the application process and deadlines, please see the section “Apply to Research Internship.”
For What Kind of Students is the Research Internship Ideal?
Students who would like to top up their current research by learning a specific technique will benefit from access to our cutting-edge research equipment and supervision from our world class faculty members.
As OIST actively fosters and supports interdisciplinary research, the research internship is a great opportunity for students who would like to explore a different research field or would like to add an interdisciplinary approach to their current research interest.
With more than 1,100 employees from more than 70 countries and territories, the study environment at OIST is highly internationalized and students who are eager to expand their international academic network will benefit from forming connections with people from all over the world early in their academic career.
For students who value diversity, equity, and inclusion as 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.
For more details, please refer to the OIST Graduate School Three Policies.
For Students Considering Applying to OIST’s PhD Program After Their Research Internship
The research internship is also ideal for students who are considering applying to the PhD program at OIST and would like to use the internship period to find out, whether the study environment at OIST aligns with their research interests and personal preferences.
Lab Rotation Equivalency
To those aiming to enroll in the OIST PhD Program within 1 year of finishing the internship, the internship may suffice as one of the PhD Program’s required lab rotations. Three lab rotations, including one out of field, will be conducted in your PhD journey here. Research experience as a research intern at OIST may be considered as one in-field lab rotation upon completion of the assignments required for a lab rotation.
Research interns with an internship of four months or longer are eligible to request this Lab Rotation Equivalency opportunity provided you applied for lab rotation equivalency at the start of the internship and meet the assessment criteria.
For more details, please refer to the following policy – 4.3.3 Lab Rotations.
Support
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
Selection Schedule
| Application Round | Application Deadline | Result Announcement | Period of Internship |
| Fall 2026 Internship | April 15th, 2026, 23:59 (JST UTC+9) | Mid-June 2026 | Between October 1st, 2026 – March 31st, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 Internship | October 15th, 2026, 23:59 (JST UTC+9) | Mid-December 2026 | Between April 1st, 2027 – September 30th, 2027 |
*An internship duration can be a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 6 months within one Period of Internship.
*Applications for the Fall 2026 Internship are now open. Please proceed with preparing your application and ensure it is ready for submission. The submission period is now open and runs until April 15th, 2026.
*The schedule is tentative and subject to change
Eligibility
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.
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.
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.
Application Procedure
We only accept application documents online. 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.
Note: We recommend using a computer when preparing the online application. If you prefer using a mobile device, please make sure to have the latest operating system for the application website to work properly.
Application Documents
- 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.
- 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?
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Please provide a current CV summarizing your academic background, research experience, skills, and accomplishments. You may use any standard CV format. - 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. - 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. - ID Photo
Please upload a recent photo taken within the last three months, showing your face from the front in standard passport orientation. - 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.
Application Fee
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.
*If you have trouble paying due to international sanctions on your country, please use our Contact Us page describing your situation. Please use “Research Internship” as your reason to contact.
For more information please open this link
Apply Here
https://www.oist.jp/admissions/research-internship/apply-research-internship