NIG Summer Internship 2026 in Japan | Funded (NIG-INTERN)

To all international students seeking international internships abroad, it’s the rainy internship season. Previously, we shared about the UNAIDS internship program. Once again, we are here with another exciting internship program in Japan, offered by one of the most reputable research institutions that you should not miss out on! Applications are now open to apply for the most-awaited NIG Summer Internship Program 2026. A prestigious, funded internship program in Japan hosted by the National Institute of Genetics (NIG) / Genetics Program, Sokendai offers an incredible opportunity to outstanding undergraudate and postgraduate students from around the world to gain cutting-edge research expereince in the fields of genetics and related sciences.

The duration of the internship program is 2 months, which is scheduled to run from June 8 to July 17, 2026. The internship provides students the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience by conducting independent research under the mentorship of the host investigator at NIG. The internship consists of intensive training on scientific communication and scientific research, followed by lab visits. By the end of the programme, all the interns will present their work and experience at the “NIG-Intern Symposium”.

Beyond research work, interns will also participate in various activities such as Program lectures, Journal Clubs, and seminars led by outstanding researchers. Upon completing the internship, you will recieve a completion certificate from NIG, which you can share on your LinkedIn profile or share it with your future employers. The NIG internship does not require any application fee for participation. Applicants interested in this Japanese internship must submit their applications by January 5, 2026. Read more details below

Details About NIG Summer Internship 2026 in Japan

Also, Check: FAO Internship Programme 2026 for FAO HQ, Rome (Stipend 700$ )

Eligiblity Criteria

Individuals meeting the following criteria are invited to apply for NIG Summer internship:

• The 2026 NIG internship program is accepting applications from all nationals
• Current Undergraudate and Graduate students interested in Life Sciences may apply
• PhD students are not eligible to apply
• Applicants must hold excellent academic records
• Must have a good command of the English language
• Students interested in pursuing a PhD from NIG institute are highly encouraged to apply

Applicants must be in the following years of their degree programs:

• 4 Years Bachelor’s Programme: Students must be in the 3rd Year
• 3 Years Bachelor’s Programme: Students must be in the 2nd Year
• 5 Years Bachelor’s Programme: Must be in the 4th year
• 2 Years Master’s Program: Must be in the 1st year of the degree program
• 6 Year Degree Program: Students must be in the 5th year

Note: The internship is highly competetive as per the official source last year (2025), out of 1240 applications, only six highly qualified students were selected for the internship. The number of awards varies from year to year.

Internship Coverage

Unlike the previous year, the NIG-Intern2026 is no longer fully funded; now the internship costs will be shared between the selected participants and NIG. Let’s discuss them below.

Costs borne by NIG:

• Economy class round-trip airfare coverage to/from Japan (up to 200,000 JPY)
• Travel Insurance

Costs borne by Participants:

• Airfare amounts exceeding 200,000 JPY have to be covered by participants
• Local transportation costs
• Accommodation costs at NIG Guest House
• Other living costs during your stay in Japan

Internship benefits

• Conduct independent research in state-of-the-art facilities
• Gain hands-on research experience under the mentorship of the Host Investigator
• Have international research exposure
• Networking opportunities with fellows and NIG experts
• Participate in Journal clubs, program lectures, and seminars led by renowned researchers
• Get a completion certificate from one of the famous research institutes

Required Documents

1. An updated CV/Resume
2. Letter of Motivation (Max 500 Words)
3. Scanned Degree Transcript
4. Two Recommendation letters

Important Dates:

• Application Opens: December 1st, 2025
• Application Closes: January 5, 2026
• Result Announcement: February 2026 (End)

Also, Check:

• WEF Early Careers Programme 2026 in Tokyo, Beijing, and Geneva
• UN DESA Internship Program 2026 in New York

How to Apply for NIG-Intern 2026?

The application process for the NIG-Intern 2025 is online through the official portal. Applicants interested in the internship must review the Application guidelines before starting their applications. The internship is officially announced; however, the application window will open on December 1, 2025. Until then, we encourage you to review the application guidelines and gather the necessary application materials, so once the applications are open, you will be fully prepared.

To apply and for more details, visit the NIG intern official link below:

APPLY FOR NIG SUMMER INTERNSHIP 2026

For more exciting internship programs, you may visit our Internship Category