The OIST Graduate School offers education and research opportunities through the school’s Research Intern program. The duration of the internship is typically from 2 to 6 months. These short-term placements give students the opportunity to gain experience in a particular laboratory or to learn a specific technique. Interns will work under the direction of a Professor and contribute to the research activities of OIST. To apply successfully, kindly read through this piece to learn the full details about this program- the eligibility criteria, requirements, application deadline, and more. The table below will give you an overview of what you should expect.

Who is eligible for Research Internship at Okinawa Institute?

Those eligible to apply for the OIST Research Internship Program include excellent students who are in the final 2 years of the undergraduate or Master’s programs in universities, colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools in Japan or overseas, or graduates of such institutions. 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.

Research Internship at Okinawa Institute- Benefits

OIST will provide the following support for successful applicants.

Internship Allowance

JPY 2,400 per working day (taxable and weekends excluded)  

Commuting Allowance

OIST Shuttle Bus Pass

Travel Expenses

One direct round-trip air ticket (travel date will be closest date to the term of placement)

Overnight Accommodation

Furnished apartment on or off campus

Other Support

OIST will also assist in visa acquisition, insurance procedures, and local registration. This will only be provided for the student. Therefore, this does not pertain to the dependents and family members of the student.

Research Internship at Okinawa Institute Regulations

Applicants who intend to import biological or hazardous material for their research are urged to ensure that such import is in compliance with all regulations of their home country, any country of transit, and of Japan, and to complete all necessary paperwork for importation well ahead of time. Detailed regulations pertaining to matters of payment, intellectual property rights, attendance, health and safety, and other matters have been drawn up and will be made available to successful applicants.

How to apply for Research Internship at Okinawa Institute

Students in an undergraduate program or who recently graduated interested in joining the OIST PhD program may undertake educational activity at OIST as a Research Intern. A research internship at OIST provides students with experience working in a research environment under the direction of OIST faculty. Research Intern places are awarded twice a year on a competitive basis. Selection is highly competitive and depends on the suitability of the intended research, academic background, available funding, and space. Not all available positions will necessarily be filled. 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.

Application Procedure

Applications to the program must be made through the online form.You can only submit your application after at least one recommendation letter is received in the application system.You will receive an auto-notification that your application has been received. (Please check your settings to ensure you can receive emails from @oist.jp domain.)Following the application period, applications will be screened and selection will be completed.The result announcement will be posted on your application platform 3 months after the application deadline. You will receive a notification when the result is posted. (In some cases, applicants’ email services/settings prevent receipt of our notifications. Please confirm that your inbox is able to receive emails from @oist.jp domain.)Following final confirmation of internship offers, all necessary arrangements will be made, in cooperation with the interns. Your cooperation is required for timely completion of logistics to begin the internship, including possible visa preparations and other necessary Japanese government documentation.

Application Deadline

The period of the internship must be between 2 and 6 months consecutively. Under the current immigration restriction, applicants who require a visa for the internship should consider an internship of at least 90 days in order to be eligible for visa application.  *Due to COVID-19, arrivals of students residing outside of Japan are subjected to international travel restrictions. Under current requirements, foreign residents will have to do 14 days of self-quarantine after arriving in Japan. Upon arrival, all students are required to undertake PCR testing prior to starting the program. Therefore, please note that your departure date for OIST will be:  Foreign residents: about 3 weeks prior to internship start date. Residents in Japan: about 3 days prior to internship start date. *Date is subject to change on availability of the unit. Required Application Materials Once you have obtained/ prepared all the documents above, please apply to the program through this APPLICATION FORM Internships may begin and end at any time during the year, with two application periods. 

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