International Summer Program (ISP)

The Graduate School of Science is pleased to announce the International Summer Program in 2024. Program details and application materials for the 2024 ISP have been available since early February.

 

About the International Summer Program (ISP)
The ISP at the Graduate School of Science (GSS) is an intensive research internship for overseas students majoring in natural sciences and related fields in sciences. This program will provide students with an opportunity to acquire an experience of research-based studies in assigned research groups of the GSS. For the students who are interested in enrolling in the GSS international graduate programs (*), particularly, the ISP program is a good opportunity to experience research life prior to enrollment. Also, a limited number of participants will receive scholarships.

Thematic studies will be conducted under close supervision by the host professors through experiments, discussions, and group work among the team members at the GSS. This program will be a platform for students to train their ability for research in the future. In addition to an opportunity for a leading research work experience in science, the program includes social and cultural activities to promote a better understanding of the Japanese culture and build good relationships with students at Osaka University.

At the end of the program, the students make oral presentations about their achievements in the program. Participants who successfully completed the program will be awarded a certificate from the GSS.

(*) Graduate education programs at GSS
Graduate Degree Programs in English (Education and Research Conducted in English)
– SISC for Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Macromolecular Science
– IPC for Physics and Earth and Space Science (limited to a specific research group)
– Double Degree Program
For more information: Graduate Admission

2024 International Summer Program
July 17 – August 27, 2024

■ Program Period

July 17 – August 27, 2024

■ Application Period

1 pm on February 8, 2024 – 1 pm on February 29, 2024

■ Key Dates for 2024 ISP (Japanese Standard Time)

Application period opens：1 pm on February 8, 2024
Application deadline：1 pm on February 29, 2024
Notification of results：Early April 2024        
VISA Arrangement：Late April – June 2024
Arrival in Osaka：July 16, 2024
Program period：July 17 – August 27, 2024
Final presentation & Farewell (**) ：August 27, 2024
Departure from Osaka：August 28, 2024
Submission of Assignments：September 3, 2024
**The date of final presentation and farewell is subject to change.

■ Eligibility

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.

■ Research Groups

Choose three research groups or faculty members you would like to belong to from the following brochures.

Department of Mathematics
(Choose professors or associate professors from the list of “Faculty Members” on page 1) (revised on February 1)
Department of Physics
Department of Chemistry
Department of Biological Sciences
Department of Macromolecular Science
Department of Earth and Space Science

■Application Procedures

1. How to Apply

You must submit an online application with the following PDF files of 1) application-document package, 2) one recommendation letter, 3) a current official transcript or copy, and 4) evidence of proficiency (English and/or Japanese, if you have a certification/score). Each file size must be less than 2.0 MB. The “Online Application” will be activated from 1 pm on February 8, 2024 (JST). A host lab or supervisor(s) at the GSS will be selected on the basis of 1) the application-document package, and 2) the recommendation letter of the applicant.

Online Application: https://reg.sci.osaka-u.ac.jp/lm/index.php/934273?lang=en
Application period: 1 pm on February 8 to 1 pm on February 29, 2024 (JST)

< Application Documents >
1) Application-Document Package
2024 ISP Application-Document Package

1.1) A completed and signed Application Form (Form: Application Form)
1.2) Statement of Purpose and Study Plan (Form: Statement of Purpose)
1.3) Autobiography (Form: Autobiography)

NOTE: All application documents must be typewritten in English. No handwriting is allowed except for signatures. The completed application form must be submitted in PDF format. 1.2) The Statement of Purpose and Study Plan are the most important factors in determining your host lab (supervisor(s)), please be sure to fill them out clearly.

2) One recommendation letter written by your supervisor or faculty member (*) of the home institution.
The letter must be typewritten in English on the home institution’s letterhead. No handwriting is allowed except for signatures. The letter must be submitted in PDF format.
 (*) professor, associate professor, or assistant professor who is qualified to evaluate your academic ability, research skills, and usual conduct.

3) A current official transcript or copy of the applicant’s academic record written in English.
Please submit the transcript showing the evaluation criteria.
For example, on a 100-point scale, S = 90–100 (excellent), A = 80–89 (very good), B = 70–79 (good), C = 60–69 (fair), F = less than 60 (fail).

4) Evidence of language proficiency (English and/or Japanese, if you have a certification/score). The documents should include scores.

< Submission Confirmation >
Within five business days after the submission in the online application, we will send a confirmation e-mail to the applicant’s e-mail address.
Applicants who do not receive any reply from us, please contact our office (ri-summerprogram@sci.osaka-u.ac.jp).

2. Notification of Results

The selection result will be notified to individual students by email. At this stage, the successful students will receive further information about visa, accommodation etc.

■ Fees

1) Tuition fee for Research Work *: 57,600 JPY
2) Dormitory fee: 20,000–70,000 JPY per month (depending on the accommodation)
　　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.
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

*The tuition fee will be waived for students who belong to faculties of universities (research institutes) that have concluded inter-departmental agreements with the Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, and who are sent based on the MOU on Student Exchange. The bench fee for the International Summer Program will be fully waived. For more information, please click the list of universities with tuition waivers (note: as of February 6, 2024).
The tuition waiver does not apply to inter-university agreements.

■ Scholarship

A limited number of qualified students will receive a scholarship. A fixed amount of scholarship is awarded during the program duration.

■ Program Contents

1) Campus Tour
2) Hands-on research work in the lab
3) Oral Presentations by all participants
4) Certificate
5) Welcome reception and Farewell party
6) Social and Cultural Programs with Osaka University students
7) 1day Excursion (If you wish, additional fee of about 2,000 JPY)
8) Course & Credits
　　　Course: Frontier Lab Mini 4
　　　Four Credits at Osaka University
　　　Please contact your home university for information on credit transfer.

Please also refer to the “2023 ISP Report” for program content.

■ Back Number

2023 ISP Application  2023 ISP Report
2022 ISP Online 
2021 ISP Online 
2019 ISP Application
2018 ISP Application

■ Contact

If you have any inquiries, please feel free to contact us by email. Email address:
ri-summerprogram@sci.osaka-u.ac.jp

・2024 ISP FAQ
・2024 ISP Poster
・2024 ISP Overview
・2024 ISP Facebook

(Information as of Fabruary 6th 2024)