StudyDesk Scholarships
About the internship
The National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), based in Tsukuba, Japan, runs a long-standing internship programme that gives undergraduate and graduate students practical, hands-on experience of cutting-edge research in materials science. Interns work directly with NIMS researchers on real projects — not classroom exercises — and the programme also feeds into the institute’s Joint Graduate School Program visibility.
About 100 students a year from universities around the world take part, and the institute is known for its strongly international research community. If you are studying science, engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology or a related technical field, this is one of the most respected research internships in Asia.
Timing status (read this first): the 2026 round is closed. The next application round is scheduled to open in December 2026. Use the waiting time to identify the researcher you want to work with and prepare your materials — applications move fast once the round opens.
What the funding covers
Straight from the official NIMS internship page — this is what is published, and only this:
- Daily allowance for selected students.
- Accommodation fees (excluding utilities) for selected students.
- No internship or financial support is guaranteed — NIMS states explicitly that the programme does not guarantee acceptance of all applicants’ internship requests or financial support.
- Not published by NIMS: round-trip airfare. Several aggregator sites claim flights are covered; NIMS’ own page does not say this. Budget your own travel unless the December 2026 call explicitly adds it.
- If you hold a Japanese government-funded scholarship (MEXT, JSPS, JST), check with your scholarship provider about eligibility before applying.
Eligibility
- Only current undergraduate and graduate students at domestic or international universities — graduates and non-students are not eligible.
- Fields: materials science and related technical areas — science, engineering, physics, chemistry, nanotechnology and adjacent disciplines.
- Nationality: the programme is open to the world; NIMS hosts many international researchers and students.
- You will be attached to a specific researcher and project — your application should align with ongoing NIMS research.
Documents you will need
The exact document list will be published with the December 2026 call. Based on the programme’s established pattern, prepare:
- An updated CV/resume.
- Academic transcripts.
- A clear research-interest statement naming the NIMS researcher and group you want to join.
- Proof of current enrolment at your university.
- Identification documents (passport).
How to apply
- From now until December: study the NIMS research groups, identify 2–3 researchers whose work matches yours, and read their recent publications.
- Prepare your pack — CV, transcripts, enrolment proof, and a focused research-interest statement.
- When the round opens (December 2026): apply through the official NIMS internship page promptly.
- Plan a window of up to 90 consecutive days that finishes by the end of March 2027.
- If you hold MEXT/JSPS/JST funding: confirm with your scholarship provider that you may take part.
Frequently asked questions
Selected interns receive a daily allowance and accommodation fees (excluding utilities). NIMS does not publish airfare coverage — do not count on flights being paid unless the new call says so.
Only students currently enrolled as undergraduates or graduates, from domestic or international universities, in materials science or related technical fields.
The 2026 round is closed. Per the official NIMS page, the next application round is scheduled to open in December 2026.
Up to 90 consecutive calendar days, and it must be completed by the end of March 2027.
The programme’s working context is research under NIMS scientists; English is the working language of the international research community there. No Japanese test is published as a requirement.
No. NIMS states the programme does not guarantee acceptance of all applicants’ internship or financial-support requests — selection applies.
Only by arrangement: the official page says internship requests exceeding 90 days should be discussed with the researcher you wish to apply to.
Verified 19 Oct 2026 on the official NIMS internship page (nims.go.jp, updated 3 February 2026): the 2026 round is closed, the next round opens December 2026, eligibility is restricted to current undergraduate and graduate students, the published financial support is a daily allowance plus accommodation fees excluding utilities, the programme accepts about 100 students a year, internships run up to 90 consecutive days and must be completed by the end of March 2027, and acceptance/financial support is not guaranteed. Aggregator claims of covered round-trip airfare are not from NIMS and are explicitly not repeated here.
