University of Tokyo UTRIP 2027: Japan Research Internship

Key facts:

• Organisation: University of Tokyo (UTokyo) – Graduate School of Science
• Category: Scholarship
• Country / region: Japan
• Deadline: 2026-12-25
• Official URL: https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/

• Funding: Financial support through the GSS-UTRIP Scholarship or FUTI Award, plus free accommodation for all participants
• Study level: Undergraduate students
• Field of study: Natural sciences and related fields
• Duration: Six consecutive weeks
• Host institution: University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Science
• Research departments: Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Science, and Biological Sciences
• Language requirement: TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent English test for applicants who are not native English speakers and have not received eight continuous years of English-medium education

About the programme

The University of Tokyo Research Internship Program (UTRIP) is a summer research programme established by the Graduate School of Science in June 2010 to attract talented undergraduate students from universities around the world.

The programme is designed for students interested in pursuing a master's or PhD degree in the future. It provides an opportunity to gain practical research experience under the guidance of experienced faculty members at one of the world's leading research universities.

Participants work with researchers across five departments:

• Physics
• Astronomy
• Chemistry
• Earth and Planetary Science
• Biological Sciences

Students can explore research topics, develop academic skills and gain experience that may help them prepare for postgraduate studies.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have completed at least one full year of a bachelor's degree programme by the time of application.
• Be enrolled at a university outside Japan.
• Have at least one more semester, quarter or equivalent academic term remaining after the internship.
• Be studying a natural science or a related field.
• Have long-term career interests in a scientific area.
• Be available to participate in the entire six-week programme on a full-time basis.
• Have health insurance that covers the internship period in Japan.

Students in their third year of a four-year bachelor's programme and second year of a three-year bachelor's programme receive priority consideration. Second-year students in four-year programmes are also encouraged to apply.

What does the programme offer?

Participants may receive financial assistance through either of the following:

• GSS-UTRIP Scholarship: Financial support provided by the Graduate School of Science for UTRIP-related expenses.
• FUTI Award: Financial support from Friends of UTokyo, Inc.

Free accommodation is provided to all participants for the duration of the programme, regardless of which financial support they receive.

Participants must stay in accommodation designated by the university. They must also complete the full programme and cannot leave early without written permission from the relevant university authorities.

Programme participation requirements

Successful applicants are expected to:

• Give their full attention to their assigned research project.
• Participate throughout the six-week programme.
• Attend all scheduled academic and social activities.
• Submit a research report approved by their supervisor within two weeks after completing the programme.
• Give an oral presentation on the scheduled date.
• Complete all required procedures within the university's deadlines.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online through the University of Tokyo's application system.

Before applying, review the available hosting laboratories, research project topics and faculty members. Applicants can select up to two hosting laboratories and rank them according to preference.

Prepare the following information and documents:

1. Personal information

Complete the application profile with your personal and contact details. Use an active email address because the university communicates with applicants mainly by email.

Provide a correspondence address where you can reliably receive important communications between March and June 2027.

2. Personal statement

Write a personal statement of 700–1,000 words covering:

• Why you selected your preferred UTRIP research project or projects.
• What you hope to gain from the internship.
• Why you are qualified for the selected research projects, including relevant skills and experience.
• Whether you intend to apply for postgraduate study at the University of Tokyo after graduation and your reasons.

3. Educational background and qualifications

Provide details of your academic history and relevant qualifications.

4. Resume or CV

Your CV should include:

• Relevant work experience and responsibilities.
• Projects related to your preferred research area.
• Schools and universities attended, including admission and completion dates.
• Relevant courses completed or currently being taken.
• Relevant prizes and awards, where applicable.

5. Academic transcript

Upload a scanned or electronic copy of your official university transcript.

The transcript must show:

• Your name.
• Your university's name.
• Your year of admission.
• Course titles, grades and credits.
• An official explanation of the university's grading system.

If the grading explanation is not included in your transcript, upload a separate official document containing it.

Applicants whose universities provide official GPA scores must enter those scores. If your university does not provide an official GPA, calculate your GPA and explain the calculation in the application form's Notes section.

Original official transcripts will be requested from successful applicants for enrolment purposes.

6. English language qualifications

Applicants who speak English as their first language or have received English-medium education continuously for the past eight years are exempt from submitting English test scores.

Other applicants must provide TOEFL, IELTS or an equivalent English proficiency test score and upload a scanned copy of the official certificate.

Expired test scores may be accepted, provided applicants can produce proof of the results if requested.

7. Recommendation letter

You must provide details of one professor who can assess your academic background and suitability for the selected research project.

The professor should know your academic performance in natural sciences or a related field.

Contact your recommender before submitting your application. After you submit the online form, the university will automatically email the professor a link to submit the recommendation.

Important: Your recommender must complete the online recommendation form by 17:00 Japan Standard Time on December 25, 2026. Recommendation letters sent by email will not be accepted.

8. Submit your application

Make sure all your information and documents are ready before opening the online application form. The application system does not have a save function, so you must complete the submission in one session.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their applications are complete.

Selection and notification

Selected applicants will be contacted directly by email between mid-to-late March 2027.

The selection notification is expected to be announced on the UTRIP website in early April 2027.

Important date

• Application deadline: December 25, 2026
• Recommendation deadline: December 25, 2026, at 17:00 Japan Standard Time
• Selection notification: Expected between mid-to-late March 2027 by email, with an announcement on the programme website in early April 2027

Official application

Apply through the University of Tokyo's official website: https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/

Review the available research projects and application instructions carefully before submitting your application.