UTSIP Kashiwa, initiated by the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences in 2013, provides a hands-on research internship program in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Information Technology, International Studies, Materials Sciences, Advanced Energy, Ocean Science, Physics and Sustainability Science Studies.
Schedule
Application for UTSIP2024 has closed.
2024 UTSIP Kashiwa will offer a program with this schedule:
| Program A | May 27, 2024 - July 12, 2024 (47 days) |
|---|---|
| Program B | June 17, 2024 - August 2, 2024 (47 days) |
| First week | Orientation, lectures by leading researchers at GSFS, Japanese language classes |
|---|---|
| Remaining weeks | Participants will study under the guidance of their respective laboratories after developing a research proposal, and will gain first-hand experience in the academic research process. |
| Final day | Participants will make a presentation summarizing their research experience and the findings of their research project, followed by the Certificate of Completion Award Ceremony |
For details, please refer to the schedule (subject to change).
Participation Fee
JPY 50,000
This fee must be paid on the first day of the UTSIP.
Note: This fee may be waived. The request for the fee waiver will automatically be recorded when you submit your application. The result regarding your application and the fee waiver will be sent to you at the same time.
Host Laboratories
The research departments accepting UTSIP students
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Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences
- Advanced Materials Science
- Advanced Energy
- Complexity Science and Engineering
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Division of Biosciences
- Integrated Biosciences
- Computational Biology and Medical Sciences
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Division of Environmental Studies
- Ocean Technology, Policy, and Environment
- Environment Systems
- Human and Engineered Environment Studies
- Socio-cultural Environmental Studies
- International Studies
- Graduate Program in Sustainability Science
Quota
Approximately 25 students in total
The call for applications from the undergraduate students of the University of Tokyo will start in April, 2024.
Eligibility
- Participants must be in their undergraduate program at an overseas college or university throughout the entire duration of UTSIP program, and will not have completed their bachelor's degree program.
- Participants who are considering matriculating to graduate level study at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences or other graduate schools at The University of Tokyo, or elsewhere in Japan
- Participants are required to participate in all activities including classes, laboratory work, and special events organized by UTSIP.
Financial Aid
UTokyo provides a UTSIP scholarship and accommodation to participants.
| UTSIP scholarship amount | JPY 130,000 |
|---|
If you have applied or will apply for a different scholarship, please mention this on the Application page. Some past UTSIP participants received a stipend from the following organizations. Applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid.
- Friends of UTokyo, Inc. (FUTI)
- MIT-Japan program
- Honda Foundation
- UCLA Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies
Please note that applicants who have applied or will apply to another scholarship program will still be considered as a UTSIP scholarship candidate. Multiple applications for scholarship programs have no effect in the selection process.
Applicants who would like to participate in UTSIP, regardless of financial aid program you are applying to, must complete the online application by the designated due date. No late applications are accepted even from those who have successfully obtained a scholarship from another organization. The deadline stands firm.
No air fare subsidy will be provided. Participants are expected to arrange and purchase their flight to arrive in Japan and check in the assigned accommodation one day before the program starting day and check-out one day after the last official program day.
Visas
If the country of your nationality and Japan have concluded a Visa Exemption Agreement, then you can enter Japan without a visa. Please check this website for the 68 countries with which Japan has such Agreements with.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
If the country of your nationality and Japan do NOT have a Visa Exemption Agreement, you require a visa in order to enter Japan. The UTSIP organizers will issue the necessary documents that you need to apply for a short-term stay visa.
Insurance
The Graduate School of Frontier Sciences (GSFS) will provide a health insurance program for all participants which is effective throughout the entire duration of the UTSIP program.
| Death or Physical Disability benefits | 1 million yen |
|---|---|
| Medical benefits | 1 million yen |
| Liability | 100 million yen |
When you receive medical treatment for injuries caused by accidents or diseases developed while attending UTSIP, all medical treatment expenses up to 1 million yen, in principle, shall be paid by the insurance company. Please note there are some cases that are not covered by the program. For example, damage or injury caused by the participant's own fault.
All participants will be required to submit a health certificate by the designated date.
Currency conversion as of November 27, 2023
US $ 1 = 149 yen
Euro 1 = 163 yen
Accommodations and Life in Kashiwa
UTSIP Kashiwa participants are to be housed in a designated accommodation by the Program. They must check in one day before the program starting date and check out one day after the final day of the program. Each participant will receive housing information about one month before the program starting date.
Please note that some participants may have to move to another accommodation in the midst of the program because the annual accommodation situation makes arranging one location for the entire period difficult year by year.
International Lodge Kashiwa Lodge
The nearest station to the Kashiwa campus is "Kashiwa-no-ha Campus Station" on the Tsukuba Express line. Tsukuba Express runs between Akihabara in Tokyo and Tsukuba in Ibaraki. Kashiwa-no-ha Campus Station is 30 minutes from Akihabara and 25 minutes from Tsukuba.
Akihabara is the gateway when you go to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza area using the Yamanote line. There is another station, Kashiwa Station on the Joban Line of Japan Railway (JR) which is a 25-minute bus ride to the Kashiwa campus. Kashiwa Station is also a key station linking with Tokyo.
Kashiwanoha Campus station
On the Kashiwa campus, you will find some cafeterias and a sushi bar. They are open for lunch and dinner. Lunch costs about JPY 400 to 600 yen, and the dinner is JPY 500 to 700. You will find a greater variety of restaurants, grocery stores, and shops near both stations, Kashiwa-no-ha Campus Station and the Kashiwa Station.
summer campus
autumn campus
Japan has four seasons: summer, fall, winter and spring. Mid-June to mid-July is the annual rainy season. The temperature is mild, and the average temperature is about 25OC. Late July through early September is summer, the average is about 34OC.
Schedule
After you submit a complete set of application documents, the following is the expected timeline.
| January 15, 17:00 | Application Submission Deadline |
|---|---|
| February 8 to 9 | Receive notification of selection result |
| February 15 | Deadline for submitting confirmation of participation |
| Early March | Receive official UTSIP acceptance letter |
| April 1 | Check entry restrictions or movement restrictions inside Japan. Start preparations to go to Japan (get air tickets etc.) |
| Late April | Apply for short stay visa (If necessary) Submit health certificate |
| May 26 | Arrive in Japan and check into the designated accommodation (Program A) |
| May 27 | Start of UTSIP Kashiwa 2024 (Program A) |
| June 16 | Arrive in Japan and check into the designated accommodation (Program B) |
| June 17 | Start of UTSIP Kashiwa 2024 (Program B) |