NII International Internship Program 2026 — Research Internship in Tokyo, Japan

Research Master’s & PhD students at TU Wien can apply for a research internship at the National Institute of Informatics (NII) in Tokyo, Japan - a leading research institute in informatics and data science.

Program Highlights

  • Open to Master’s & PhD students currently enrolled at TU Wien in the field of informatics.
  • Engage in cutting-edge research under NII faculty supervision in topics spanning AI, data science, open science, crisis informatics, digital humanities and more (choose from the list of research topics).
  • Internships typically run for 60–165 days and should be completed by March 31, 2027.
  • Daily sojourn allowance (approx. 5,700 JPY/day) is provided by NII. 

Key Benefits

  • International research experience in a top Japanese institute.
  • Professional development and networking in cutting-edge informatics research. 

Eligibility

  • Currently enrolled Master’s or PhD student at TU Wien (MSc/PhD) with active status throughout the internship.
  • Students who already hold a PhD degree are not eligible. 

Application Procedure (TU Wien Students)

To be considered for nomination by TU Wien, follow these steps before April 1, 2026, 17:00 CET:

  1. Select up to three research topics from the list on the official NII page.
  2. Contact potential NII supervisors whose research aligns with your interests and obtain an informal letter of acceptance (email confirmation is sufficient).
  3. Fill out the NII International Internship Program Application Form.
  4. Submit your complete application to JASEC at jasec@tuwien.ac.at and CC Prof. Thomas Eiter (thomas.eiter@tuwien.ac.at), attaching your CV.
  5. Important: A nomination by JASEC/TU Wien is required - do not send your application directly to NII; internal checks happen first.

➤ Internal TU Wien deadline:April 1, 2026, 17:00 CET (strict).

For a successful nomination you must have contact with an NII host supervisor and include evidence (e.g. email) of their consent.

Selection & Notification

  • First reviewed by NII supervisors, then by NII Global Liaison Office & directors.
  • Results communicated via TU Wien after NII’s final decision (typically after late May 2026). 

More Information

Visit the original program page for full guidelines and research topics: www.nii.ac.jp/en/about/international/mouresearch/internship2026-1/index.html

Vulcanus in Japan - A Training Program for EU Students

Vulcanus in Japan started in 1997. The program consists of industrial placements for EU / COSME* students. It starts in September and ends in August of the following year in order to accommodate the academic year in EU Member States.

The students follow:

  • a one-week seminar on Japan,
  • a four-month intensive Japanese language course,
  • and then an eight-month traineeship in a Japanese company.

Objectives:

  • To study the range of advanced technologies employed by a leading Japanese host company.
  • To learn Japanese and to understand and appreciate Japanese culture with a view to an enriching one year experience abroad.
  • To be well placed in your future career to interact with Japanese businesses and people.

Financing:

This programme is financed by the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation and the Japanese host company. The EU / COSME * students are awarded a grant (Yen 1.900.000) to cover the cost of travel to and from Japan and living expenses in Japan. There is no charge for the language course and seminar, and accommodation is provided free of charge during the course and seminar and the company traineeship.

Eligibility:

You must be:

  • citizen of an EU Member-State or a COSME* partening country.
  • a student of engineering or science at an EU / COSME*university , enrolled in at least the fourth year of studies, when applying to the Vulcanus programme.
  • able to provide a certificate of enrollment at the university valid until at least 3 months prior to the starting of the programme

Selection Criteria:

Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic record and the opinion of their tutors, their knowledge of written and spoken English, their motivation, their attitude to EU-Japan relations and their ability to adapt to a different culture.

Application:

Directly at Vulcanus Japan

Working Holiday Program

Working Holiday Programs take into account the frequent desire of young people to spontaneously enter into short-term employment relationships as part of a cultural-touristic stay abroad and also to take advantage of the educational institutions abroad. Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 should thus be able to partially finance their vacation stay themselves, while gaining practical work experience abroad and benefiting from the educational opportunities on offer locally. Employment or education are therefore not the primary reason for the trip abroad, but arise incidentally.

Experience abroad and good foreign language skills are important aspects for a successful start in professional life. In addition, these programs promote an understanding of other countries and cultures. 

Application

The visa application can be submitted to the Embassy of Japan in Austria:

Consular Section of the Japanese Embassy:
Heßgasse 6, 1010 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 531 92 0
Fax: +43 1 532 05
Email: info@wi.mofa.go.jp

More information:

Website of the Embassy of Japan

Website of the BMEIA