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.
Applications for UTSIP 2026 are now closed. The following information is provided for your reference.
Schedule
2026 UTSIP Kashiwa will offer a program with this schedule (only Program A):
| Program Period A | May 25, 2026 - July 10, 2026 (47 days) |
|---|
| Pre-Departure | Online orientation |
|---|---|
| First week | Orientation, lectures by leading researchers at GSFS, Japanese language classes, welcome party |
| 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. Midterm presentation, Japanese cultural experience events |
| 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 70,000
Note: This fee must be remitted by the designated date. Please be advised that the fee is non-refundable once paid, regardless of the reason.
Host Laboratories
The research departments accepting UTSIP students
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Division of Transdisciplinary Sciences
- Advanced Materials Science
- 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
- Environment Systems
- Human and Engineered Environment Studies
- International Studies
- Graduate Program in Sustainability Science
Quota
Approximately 14 students in total
The call for applications for the undergraduate students of the University of Tokyo will start in April 2026.
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 (equivalent level) 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.
- 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.
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 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 (when other parties are injured) |
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, 2025
US $ 1 = 155 yen
Euro 1 = 180 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 600 to 900 yen, and the dinner is JPY 700 to 1000. 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 13, 17:00 | Application submission deadline |
|---|---|
| February 6 to 9 | Receive notification of selection result |
| February 13 | Deadline for submitting confirmation of participation |
| Early March | Receive official UTSIP acceptance letter |
| Late March | Fee payment |
| Late April | Apply for short stay visa (if necessary)
Submit health certificate |
| May 24 | Arrive in Japan and check into the designated accommodation |
| May 25 | Start of UTSIP Kashiwa 2026 |
| July 10 | End of UTSIP Kashiwa 2026 |
| July 11 | Check out of the accommodation |