National Institute of Genetics (NIG)/ Genetics Program, SOKENDAI offers a research internship program for undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to gain research experience in genetics and related fields in life sciences. Interns will conduct independent research under the mentorship of a host investigator at NIG.

Our program includes training on scientific research, scientific communication, and lab visits to discuss with individual principal investigators. At the end of the program, interns will give a presentation on their experience at the “NIGINTERN Reports Symposium”. NIG will issue a certificate to those who have successfully completed the program. Interns can also participate in various activities such as graduate program lectures, journal clubs, and seminars by outstanding researchers from inside and outside NIG. Japanese language classes are also provided.

Undergraduate and graduate students who wish to obtain hands-on experience in genetics and allied subjects in the life sciences in Japan can apply for a fully supported research internship program offered by the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) and the Genetics program (Sokendai). The interns will do independent research under the guidance of the host. The financing for the NIGINTERN program is complete.

Lab visits, scientific research training, and scientific communication training are also included in the program. June 13 is the start date of the 2024 NIG Internship, and it ends on July 24, 2024. At the conclusion of the internship, participants will discuss their experiences and offer presentations at the “NIGINTERN Reports Symposium.” A certificate of completion will be given by NIG. Below is more information on the NIG Internship 2024.

Eligibility

If you’re interested in life sciences and want to apply, you must be in the prefinal-year which means you should be in the 3rd year of a 4-year bachelor’s program, in the 2nd year of a 3-year bachelor’s program, in the 4th year of a 5-year program, in the 1st year of a 2-year master’s program, or in the 5th year of a 6-year program. I hope this clears up any confusion. Let me know if you have any other questions. Students who are interested in enrolling in our Ph.D. program at NIG are encouraged to apply.

• Because of a highly competitive selection process, applications from non-prefinal students and students in a PhD course are not considered.
• The selection is highly competitive. Nine highly qualified students out of over 740 applications were selected for 2023. The number of successful applicants varies from year to year.

How to Apply

We only accept online applications. Please read the “Application Guidelines” carefully.

Application guideline and Online Application

• The online application system opens on November 27, 2023, and closes at noon on January 9, 2024 (Japan Standard Time, JST).
• Students interested in applying for this program must read, understand, and agree to the requirements of the program.
• Due to the overwhelming number of applications, we do not reply to individual queries regarding this website, the selection status, or the results.

Benefits

NIG will cover round-trip airfare between the intern’s place of residence (location of school) and Japan, a round-trip transportation fare between the airport in Japan and NIG, accommodation fees at the institute’s guesthouse, and travel insurance during the program. Living and miscellaneous expenses other than the above will not be provided by NIG, and the interns must pay these costs themselves.

Requirements

Duration

June 13– July 24, 2024

* NIG covers expenses for the designated period only. Requests for shorter or longer periods will not be considered.

* For any internship opportunity other than this program, please contact your potential host PI(s). In such cases, costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions.

For more information, please visit the official website