OIST Admissions – Fully Funded PhD & Research Internships in Okinawa, Japan

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) offers world-class, interdisciplinary fully funded PhD programs and competitive research internships open to international students. With English-only instruction, generous support, and cutting-edge facilities, OIST provides a unique environment for scientific innovation and global collaboration.

 PhD Program (Graduate School)

• Offers a fully funded doctoral program, open to applicants of any nationality (admissions.oist.jp).
• Covers full tuition, a living stipend (starting at JPY 2.52 million/year, taxable), relocation support, research allowances, health insurance, and free accommodation .
• Around 60 PhD students are admitted each year, selected through academic excellence and interview stages, often with faculty-led lab interviews .
• The program emphasizes personalized, cross-disciplinary research in fields including neuroscience, marine science, computational biology, physics, and more .

 Research Internship Program

• 10–12 week fully funded summer internships (Fall 2025: April 15 deadline; Spring 2026: October 15) for undergraduate or master’s students worldwide .
• Interns receive a living allowance of JPY 2,400/day, housing, commuting support, and return airfare.
• Placements are highly competitive and depend on academic match with supervising faculty; proactive outreach to desired professors is encouraged.

 Eligibility & Application Process

For Internships:

• Open to students in their final two bachelor’s years, any year of master’s, or recent grads.
• Submit online application with: transcript, statement of purpose (≤400 words), passport scan, recent photo, and at least one academic recommendation letter.
• Non-refundable JPY 3,000 application fee applies from Fall 2025 onwards.

For PhD Admissions:

• Requires at least a bachelor’s degree; master’s not mandatory if research record is strong.
• Apply via official graduate application system before 15 November 2025 .
• Finalists attend an Admissions Workshop in Okinawa, with travel, accommodation, and meals covered by OIST, including faculty interviews and campus immersion.

 Why Choose OIST?

• English-only PhD program with global faculty and students from over 50 countries (~81% international) .
• One of Japan’s most well-funded research institutions, with up to JPY 3.0 million/yr total funding, plus conference travel support and equipment access .
• On-campus housing, wellness support, clubs, free meals, and childcare facilities contribute to high student satisfaction.
• Learn in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment tailored to innovation across traditional boundaries.

 Official Link