NIMS Internship Program, Japan 2026 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the 2026 NIMS Internship Program at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan. This opportunity is for undergraduate and graduate students worldwide to gain practical experience in cutting-edge materials science research. This program welcomes current students from any country, lets you work directly with top researchers, and helps build your international network in one of the world’s leading materials research institutes.

The deadline for NIMS researchers to submit applications is Friday, January 30, 2026 (start contacting researchers early!). It is a fully funded internship for selected participants, covering daily allowance, accommodation, and – for selected bachelor’s students only – round-trip travel support. There is no application fee. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Host Institution: National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, Japan
• Degree Level: Undergraduate (bachelor’s) and graduate (master’s/PhD)
• Open for all nationalities
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Application Fee: None
• Application Deadline: January 30, 2026

What This Internship Offers:

• A daily allowance to cover living expenses during your stay
• Free accommodation (housing provided; note that utilities may be at your own cost)
• Transportation support for selected bachelor’s (undergraduate) students: one round-trip international flight from your home country to Narita or Haneda Airport (Tokyo), plus round-trip bus travel between the airport and Tsukuba
• Hands-on access to world-class research facilities and cutting-edge projects in materials science

Also Check: UNHCR Internship Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a university (domestic or international)
• Remain enrolled throughout the entire internship period
• Graduates or people with only a diploma/master’s certificate are not eligible
• Provide proof of current enrollment (issued within the last 3 months)

Also Check: Aalto Science Institute International Summer Research Programme 2026

Required Documents:

• Student Application Form for NIMS Internship Program (download from the official site)
• CV / Resume
• Student enrollment/registration certificate (official proof of current enrollment; scanned copy OK; must be issued within last 3 months)
• Official academic transcript(s) (scanned copy OK; must be official):
  • Undergraduates: bachelor’s transcript
  • Master’s/PhD students: both undergraduate and graduate transcripts

Also Check: ITRI Taiwan Summer Internship 2026 (Fully Funded)

How to Apply:

You cannot apply directly to NIMS – applications go through a NIMS researcher (your host supervisor). Follow these steps:

1. Find a researcher whose work interests you Use the NIMS Researcher Directory. (Check the list from the website, Check the link Below)
2. Contact the researcher directly by email Introduce yourself, explain your interest in their research, and attach the required documents (see below). Be polite and specific!
3. If the researcher agrees to host you They review your materials (and may request a reference letter from your current supervisor), then submit everything to the NIMS Graduate Program Section on your behalf.
4. Wait for results Screening takes up to 1 month. The researcher will inform you of the outcome by mid-March 2026 and help finalize your exact start/end dates.

Also Check: DESY Summer Student Programme in Germany 2026 (Fully Funded)