ESH Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Background
The Japanese research environment provides the opportunity for undergraduate students seeking careers in science, technology engineering and math (STEM) to enhance their mental clarity. This is especially important for those from historically underrepresented communities, e.g. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native
Americans who deal with a host of challenges and distractions. Famous Japanese swordsman, philosopher, and strategist Miyamoto Musashi, was a strong proponent of mental clarity and self-discipline for mental, physical and spiritual improvement. The concept of mental clarity, i.e. being able to focus on the task at hand without being distracted, is what Expanding Scientific Horizons founder, Wade Sisk, experienced and appreciated during his research tenure in Japan. This made such an indelible enduring impression, that he founded Expanding Scientific Horizons with the aim of extending this opportunity to other aspiring STEM professionals early in their career.
Fellowship Description
Individuals cannot apply for this award; they must be nominated.
The ESH Summer Research Fellowship is a supplemental fellowship that provides support for students admitted to existing Japan Summer research programs listed below.
Japan Summer Research Opportunities
Institution
Website
Contact
Additional Information
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido Summer Institute Independent Study 2025: https://www.global.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/hokkaido-summer-institute-2025-will-be-held/Website Hokkaido Summer Institute
Division of International Planning International Affairs Department Hokkaido University, JAPAN
Email: huci@oia.hokudai.ac.jp
Students interested in this program are required to complete pre-registration by the specified deadline before applying for the Hokkaido Summer Institute (HSI) https://www2.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/office/international/visiting-student-opportunities#2-1
Program dates: June – Sept. 2025 (4-6 weeks)
Costs: 52,800 JPY ~ $400 US Dollars
Note: Participant must pay airfare, lodging, food, and M&IE
Pre-registration Deadline: March 3, 2025
Lodging: Participant must arrange lodging
Tips on lodging at https://hokkaidosummerinstitute.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/en/daily_life/accommodations_campus/
The Institute of Science Tokyo
Tokyo Tech Summer Program
Student Exchange Group 3, International Student Exchange Division
Program dates: Month of July (4 weeks)
Costs:
- Program fee JPY 50,000
- Accommodations: JPY 100,000-150,000 for 4 weeks (to be paid directly to the accommodation management).
- Trip Expenses: Airline ticket, overseas travel insurance, and local transportation
- Living Expenses: JPY 100,000-150,000 or more for 4 weeks for food, daily necessities, and utilities
Note: Participant must pay airfare, lodging, food, and M&IE
Application Deadline: Feb. 17, 2025
Lodging: Off-campus accommodation will be reserved by Tokyo Tech. Participants may not choose accommodationsOsaka University
International Summer Program (ISP)
Website Osaka ISP
The international summer program is designed for undergraduate or graduate students who have a sensibility and intellectual curiosity about natural sciences and related fields in sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, macromolecular science, and earth and space science). Applicants must be enrolled in Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree program in universities outside of Japan during the program period. Students who will progress from Bachelor to Master course, or graduate from Bachelor or Master courses during the program are not eligible to apply
Program dates: July 17 – August 27, 2025
Costs:
1) Tuition fee for Research Work *: 57,600 JPY
2) Dormitory fee: 20,000–100,000 JPY per month (depending on the accommodation)
3) Transportation fee from the accommodation to the laboratory: 5,000–10,000 JPY in total
(depending on the location of the accommodation)
4) Travelling and living expenses: at the participants’ expense
5) Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research
(Gakkensai & Gakkenbai): approx.1,500 JPY
Application Period: 1 pm on December 23, 2024 – 1 pm on January 20, 2025
Jan. 20, 2025. Application period closed.
Lodging: Dormitory information:
https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/international/inbound/support/residence.html
Please note that it is not always possible to move in depending on availability.
Tohoku University
Tohoku University Summer STEM program (TSSP) https://www.insc.tohoku.ac.jp/english/short/tssp/
Email: tssp@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
Tohoku University STEM Summer Program (TSSP), Exploring the Frontier of Science & Technology is designed specifically for freshmen and sophomores majoring in science and engineering (STEM). Applicants must be enrolled in full-time undergraduate degree programs at one of the listed partner institutions below: Penn State University, Purdue University, University at Albany – State University of New York (SUNY-Albany), The University of California (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angels, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Riverside), University of Hawaii at Manoa, University of Maryland, University of Washington
Program dates: June 22, 2025 – July 19, 2025
Costs: 389,000 yen program + lodging.
Application Deadline12:00 p.m.(JST), March 3, 2025
Lodging: Tohoku University will arrange an off-campus accommodation in a hotel located ten-minutes away from Aobayama campus
The University of Tokyo
The University of Tokyo Research Internship Program
Website U of Tokyo Internship
The University of Tokyo Research Internship Program (UTRIP) is a summer internship program for students majoring in natural science and other relevant fields. The program will provide students with an opportunity to gain the experience of “real graduate-school life” or “research-centered life.” UTRIP is a gateway to pursuing an advanced degree and experiencing academic life at UTokyo. Participants must have completed at least one full year in a Bachelor’s degree program at the time of application and be enrolled in and, after the UTRIP program ends, be expected to return to, at least another semester, quarter, or another equivalent academic term, in a Bachelor’s degree program (or a Bachelor’s-equivalent year of an integrated Bachelor’s-Master’s degree program) at a university outside of Japan.
Program dates: June 25 – August 5, 2025 (6 weeks)
Costs: All participants except for those receiving the FUTI Award will receive the GSS-UTRIP Scholarship, which includes free housing and a stipend. .
Application Period: Nov. 25, 2024 –
Jan. 7, 2025. Application period closed.
Lodging: Housing will be provided.
The University of Tokyo
Email: Intl.s@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
OIST Research Internship Program OIST Website
Email: Contact Form https://admissions.oist.jp/contact
The OIST Graduate School offers education and research opportunities through our Research Internship program in STEM fields for junior and senior undergraduate students, Bachelor’s degree holders, and students enrolled in Master’s programs.. The internship is typically 3 to 6 months. These short-term placements give students the opportunity to gain experience in a particular laboratory or to learn a specific technique. Research Interns will work under the direction of a Professor and contribute to the research activities of OIST.
For details about the application process and deadlines, please see the section “Apply to Research Internship.”
Program dates: 3 – 6 months
Costs: Internship Allowance – 2,400 JPY per working day
Commuting Allowance – OIST Shuttle Bus Pass
Travel Expenses – One direct round-trip air ticket (travel date will be closest date to the term of placement)
Accommodation – provided
Application Deadline: N/A
Lodging: Furnished accommodation on or off campus
The below expenses will be supported, unless provided by the existent Japan Summer research programs and will not exceed $9000 USD for six weeks.
Description | 万円 | Cost |
145 Yen/dollar exchange rate | ||
Cost for one student for six weeks | $8,951.86 | |
Airfare (airfare round trip): 30(US-Japan) + 10(round trip in Japan) | 30 | $2,068.97 |
JR Rail Pass – 7 days | $351.00 | |
Daily train cost avg 1200 円) 6 weeks (42 days): 42 x 1200 円 | 5.04 | $347.59 |
Daily expenses for six weeks: 19000 円/day x 42 days | 79.4 | $5,475.86 |
Lodging: 12000 円/day | ||
Meals – 2000 円/day daily cost for meals | ||
Incidentals – 5000 円/day costs for incidentals. | ||
Passport – $165 | $165.00 | |
Travel Insurance – $400 Allianz or similar, | $400.00 | |
Portable WiFi | 2.08 | $143.45 |