FAQ
2025.02.28 Update
Q1. Application
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Q1-1. Who is eligible to apply and participate?
This program is open to students currently enrolled in a university or graduate school. If you have completed a bachelor's degree and plan to enter graduate school, please include a certificate of acceptance with your application documents.
Please note that you must remain a student for the duration of the training period.
Q1-2. Are there any differences between the first and second rounds of applications?
The internship period differs between the first (around January) and second (around April) rounds of applications:
Please keep this in mind and check the 'NIMS Internship Program Top Page' for the latest updates.
- First round: Up to 90 consecutive days between April and March of the following year.
- Second round: Up to 30 consecutive days between July and March of the following year.
Please keep this in mind and check the 'NIMS Internship Program Top Page' for the latest updates.
If you wish to stay longer than the specified periods, please refer to Q2-2.
Q1-3. Please explain in detail how to apply.
First, please contact an NIMS researcher in your field of interest to check if they are available to accept internship students. Once you have agreed on the research theme and duration of the internship, submit an application form to the researcher, who will forward it to the Acadmic Collaboration Office.
The application will then be reviewed, which takes about one month. The researcher will contact you directly with the review results.
Upon acceptance, you will be informed of the final schedule and procedures.
Make sure to determine the exact number of days within the timeframe you applied for.
The training period must be finished by March 31st of the year after the application approval.
Make sure to determine the exact number of days within the timeframe you applied for.
The training period must be finished by March 31st of the year after the application approval.
Find an NIMS Researcher: NIMS Researchers Directory Service, SAMURAI
Please note that positions such as ICYS Research Fellow or NIMS Postdoctoral Researcher are not available for accepting intern students.
Please note that positions such as ICYS Research Fellow or NIMS Postdoctoral Researcher are not available for accepting intern students.
Q2. Internship Period
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Q2-1. What should I consider when setting the internship period?
First round: up to 90 days.
Second round: up to 30 days.
The maximum number of days may change depending on the circumstances.
Important Points:
1. The internship cannot start the day before a national holiday, on a Friday, or on a Saturday.
2. The internship cannot end the day after a national holiday, on a Sunday, or on a Monday.
The acceptance period includes arrival and departure days at NIMS (Tsukuba).
Q2-2. Can the period of stay be extended?
Extension is allowed only if the host researcher deems it necessary based on the research progress and circumstances.
Please note that an extension is subject to a screening process.
Q3. Financial support from NIMS
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Q3-1.Would transportation from my residence to NIMS be provided?
Students are responsible for their round-trip transportation from their residence to NIMS, as well as transportation from your accommodation to NIMS. Additionally, there is a regular bus service from Tsukuba Station that runs through NIMS's sites.
For those coming from TX Tsukuba Station
Q3-2. Financial support
NIMS will provide a daily allowance of 2,560 yen per day and cover accommodation fee during the internship period, subject to a maximum limit. The daily allowance is for expenses during your NIMS internship. It's not considered income. If you commute from within Tsukuba City or do not stay at NIMS-designated accommodation, neither the daily allowance nor accommodation will be provided.
Please note that students receiving Japanese government-funded scholarships, such as MEXT, JSPS Fellowships, or JST Fellowships, are not eligible for financial support from NIMS. If you are receiving other types of scholarships, please check with your university or foundation to ensure that receiving support from NIMS does not conflict with any rules.
Please note the accommodation fee amount is subject to change.
Please note that students receiving Japanese government-funded scholarships, such as MEXT, JSPS Fellowships, or JST Fellowships, are not eligible for financial support from NIMS. If you are receiving other types of scholarships, please check with your university or foundation to ensure that receiving support from NIMS does not conflict with any rules.
Please note the accommodation fee amount is subject to change.
Q3-3. Staying in Tsukuba
NIMS will arrange and reserve accommodations for you. Please contact your host group for details on payment methods and facilities.
Please note that you are generally responsible for your own accommodation options.
Please note that you are generally responsible for your own accommodation options.
Q4. Other questions
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Q4-1. Can I engage in activities outside of NIMS during my internship?
Can I engage in activities outside of NIMS during my internship?
No, you are not allowed to engage in activities outside of NIMS during your internship. Please plan your schedule accordingly. If you have unavoidable circumstances, consult with your host researcher.
Q4-2. Can I apply for an internship even though I’m already receiving government-funded support?
If you are already receiving government-funded support (e.g., MEXT, JSPS Fellowship, JST Fellowship), you may still participate in the NIMS internship at your own expense. Please contact a researcher directly to discuss this. (Application forms and other documents remain the same.)
Find an NIMS Researcher: NIMS Researchers Directory Service, SAMURAI
Find an NIMS Researcher: NIMS Researchers Directory Service, SAMURAI