OIST PhD Program – Fully Funded Doctoral Research in Japan
More details :
The OIST PhD Program at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) offers a fully funded, interdisciplinary five-year doctoral degree in science, taught entirely in English. Located in Okinawa, Japan, OIST fosters innovation through cross-disciplinary research in fields like neuroscience, marine science, physics, and computational biology.
Enrollment is highly selective, with about 60 PhD students admitted annually to keep student-to-faculty ratios low and encourage personalized mentorship. The program emphasizes flexibility and integration—students explore different research units in their first year before settling into their primary laboratory.
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Eligibility :
Open to international applicants with a completed or expected bachelor’s or master’s degree
Demonstrated academic excellence and research potential required
English proficiency mandatory unless prior education was conducted in English
Required documents :
Transcripts & Diplomas
Scanned copies of academic transcripts (BSc, MSc, etc.) and diplomas
If still studying: certificate of enrollment with expected graduation date
Non-English documents must include an English explanation
Statement of Purpose
Maximum 400 words (2,500 characters)
Must describe scientific interests, aspirations, and goals at OIST
Recommendation Letters
Minimum 2, maximum 5 from professorial-level faculty
Industry supervisors allowed if graduated 5+ years ago (research-focused letters required)
Recommenders submit letters directly to OIST via system (confidential)
Application can only be submitted once at least 2 letters are received
English Proficiency Test
TOEFL iBT or IELTS taken within the last 2 years
Required unless previous degree was taught in English
No minimum score; used to determine preparatory requirements
Passport
Scan of passport photo page (mandatory if shortlisted for interview)
Other government-issued ID accepted temporarily if passport not yet available
ID Photo
Recent passport-style photo (taken within last 3 months)
How to apply :
Step 1: Register and submit your application through the OIST online portal
Step 2: Fill out the form and upload all required PDF documents
Step 3: Shortlisted candidates are invited to the Admissions Workshop in Okinawa (fully funded)
Step 4: Final admission decisions made post-workshop
The Scholarship Benefits:
Full tuition waiver and generous living stipend
Housing support with student-rate accommodation
Health insurance and annual checkups
Support for relocation and travel to Okinawa
Access to world-class facilities and research instruments
Interdisciplinary research environment with global faculty