StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
UTRIP (University of Tokyo Research Internship Program), run by the Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, is a six-week summer research internship for undergraduates in the natural sciences — physics, chemistry, earth & planetary science and biological sciences. Participants work on a real research project under faculty supervision, experience graduate-school life at one of Asia’s top research universities, and take an intensive introductory Japanese language course designed for daily life and lab communication.
Eligibility
- Enrolled in an undergraduate programme at an overseas college or university (outside Japan) for the entire duration.
- Completed at least one year of your bachelor’s degree before the programme starts — third-year students are particularly welcome.
- Expect to return to undergraduate study after the programme ends (you must not have completed your degree).
- Strong interest in the natural sciences and good English proficiency.
- GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 was the 2026 criterion — confirm the 2027 bar when the call opens.
- A letter of recommendation from a professor or scientist who knows your work.
Benefits
- No programme or accommodation fees — confirmed on the official UTRIP FAQ.
- Accommodation provided — a short-stay residence facility with furnished rooms.
- Financial support under the programme’s standing terms (housing, travel and stipend support) — confirm the exact 2027 package in the November call.
- Intensive Japanese language course (about five classes) included.
Documents required
- Completed online application form (opens November 2026).
- CV and academic transcript.
- Personal statement / research interests — check the lab/project list and name your preferences.
- Letter of recommendation.
- Proof of enrolment at your home university.
Exact 2027 document requirements will be published with the November call — prepare the above in advance.
How to apply
- Check the official UTRIP page in November 2026The 2027 call, lab list and document checklist are updated in late November.
- Choose a lab and projectReview the published supervisors and available positions; tailor your statement to one or two labs.
- Prepare your documents and referee earlyGive your recommender at least three weeks before the deadline.
- Submit online before the deadlineTrackers publish 7 January 2027 — confirm the exact date on the official page.
FAQs
In November 2026 — the official page updates the 2027 call in late November.
Scholarship trackers publish 7 January 2027, but it is not yet year-dated on the official site — confirm it when the call opens.
There are no programme or accommodation fees, and the programme provides accommodation plus financial support. Confirm the exact 2027 figures in the official call.
No — UTRIP is for undergraduates at overseas universities who will return to undergraduate study afterwards.
3.0 out of 4.0 was the 2026 criterion. Confirm the 2027 requirement when the call opens.
Verified 19 Oct 2026: UTRIP is run by the UTokyo Graduate School of Science (s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/utrip); the official FAQ confirms it is open to overseas undergraduates, charges no programme or accommodation fees, and that the 2027 application information is updated in late November. The 7 Jan 2027 deadline, 25 Jun - 5 Aug 2027 dates, the November opening, accommodation/meals/Japanese-course details and the 2026 eligibility rules (>=1 year of bachelor’s, return to UG study after, GPA 3.0/4.0, recommendation letter) are from scholarship trackers (scholarshiproar.com) and the 2026 call — the exact 2027 dates and package should be confirmed when the official call opens.
