Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Postgraduate Scholarship 2027 – Japan

Location: Japan

Program: Postgraduate Degree

Eligibility: All Nationalities

Duration: 5 years

Deadline: November 15, 2026

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The OIST PhD Program is a fully funded five-year doctoral programme at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), one of Japan’s most internationally recognised research universities. The programme operates in a unique department-free structure that encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation, enabling students to explore research across multiple fields. The PhD journey begins with lab rotations allowing students to experience different research environments before selecting a thesis laboratory and develops into an individually tailored curriculum and doctoral thesis guided by world-class faculty. All instruction and research are conducted in English. OIST also offers a Research Internship Program a 4 to 6-month internship designed for undergraduate and Master’s students interested in pursuing a PhD, providing firsthand experience of research and student life at OIST before committing to a doctoral programme.

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), established in 2011 and located in Onna-son, Okinawa, Japan, is a unique English-language graduate university with a singular focus on science and technology at the doctoral level. OIST consistently ranks as one of the world’s top universities for research output per faculty and is recognised globally for its high-quality, cross-disciplinary research environment. The university is home to over 90 research units covering fields from neuroscience and quantum physics to marine biology, mathematics, and environmental science. OIST operates on a stunning subtropical campus surrounded by ocean and forest on the shores of Okinawa, and is home to a vibrant international community where over 50 nationalities are represented among students, faculty, and staff.

Benefits of the Programme

This programme will provide the following to its recipients:

Full tuition support
Research Assistantship (financial support)
On-campus accommodation
Relocation support
Travel support
Commuting allowance (where applicable)

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this programme, applicants must meet the following:

PhD Program:

Open to applicants of all nationalities worldwide
Must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field of science or technology, or expect to complete such a degree before enrolment
Must demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential
Must be proficient in English — all instruction and research at OIST are conducted in English

Research Internship Program:

Must be a current undergraduate or Master’s student interested in pursuing a PhD
Must demonstrate interest in research at OIST and meet the eligibility requirements specified in the Research Internship application guidelines

Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements.

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Selection Criteria

PhD applicants are assessed holistically by OIST’s admissions committee and faculty. Key selection criteria include academic excellence and research potential, the quality and relevance of prior research experience, the strength of personal statements and letters of recommendation, and alignment of the applicant’s research interests with ongoing projects in OIST research units. Applicants are encouraged to review the PhD supervision availability list on the OIST website to identify faculty members whose research aligns with their interests before applying. For the Research Internship, applicants are assessed on academic background, research interest, and the availability of suitable research internship projects with faculty members at the time of application.