Can I apply by email?
No, application via email is not possible. Please submit your application through the "Interfolio" portal. The members of the selection committees use Interfolio to evaluate all applications.
What is the status of my application?
Due to the large number of applications (over 600 Visiting Scholar candidates per year), we are not able to respond to inquiries regarding the status of individual applications or topics already covered in this FAQ or elsewhere on the website. Please check the corresponding application website and emails you received from OIST/TSVP for an estimate on when the decisions will be announced.
Can I apply if I am looking for a postdoc position?
No. The Visiting Program is not a postdoctoral position and does not offer employment or salary support. Applicants must be independent researchers (faculty, group leader or equivalent) who are financially supported by their home institution or another external source of funding. Postdocs are NOT eligible to apply as Visiting Scholars.
If you are looking for a postdoc or other permanent position, we recommend to check for announcements on the research unit websites and the OIST Careers page instead.
Do I have to know someone at OIST before applying?
It is not necessary to already have contacts at OIST. However, "Benefit to OIST, e.g. through interactions with and across OIST Units" is a selection criterion. Therefore, it is advisable to check which research units at OIST work on similar topics and consider how you could interact with them, and possibly start collaborations.
Can I apply if I visited OIST before as Visiting Scholar, as participant of a Thematic Program, etc.?
Yes, previously accepted candidates may apply for another visit. Thematic Program proposals may also be resubmitted, and new proposals can be submitted by coordinators of previous proposals/programs.
Can I apply even though I did not finish my PhD yet?
Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field and be independent researchers, i.e., should have an academic standing equivalent to group leader or faculty member at a research-intensive institution.
If you are interested to visit OIST as a student, please take a look at the OIST Research Internship and other programs for students: https://admissions.oist.jp/oist-research-internship-program-description
Can I apply without a current affiliation?
Yes, it is possible to apply as an independent researcher, i.e. without currently being affiliated with an institution. However, note that Visiting Scholars are not OIST employees and do not receive a salary.
When are selection results announced?
Visiting Scholars: We expect to inform applicants of the selection results no later than 31 December.
Thematic Programs: Invitations to submit full proposals will be sent no later than October.
Domestic Visitors: Regular selection meetings are held only in January and July with results announced soon after. Depending on the timing of your application, the announcement may be quite late (more details below).
Important Note: Not all shortlisted candidates/programs will be invited to OIST. All visits are subject to the availability of funding and housing, as well as a security background check. All visitors and participants are required to follow the Code of Conduct.
Do visitors receive a salary?
No, a salary is not provided and Visiting Scholars are not considered OIST employees. (Note that accommodation is usually free of charge for all visitors through the program)
[Visiting Scholars] Can I visit for less than 3 months?
Visits of less than 3 months may be approved where special circumstances prevent a longer visit. Please describe those circumstances in the application.
If your planned visit is of only a few weeks, and you plan to mainly interact with one unit, please consider contacting/visiting that unit directly.
Researchers working in Japan can visit through the Domestic Visitor program, Their visits to OIST are usually between 2 weeks and 6 months and may be split into several shorter visits.
How should I submit the letter of support?
Letters should be submitted through the Interfolio application portal.
[ONLY Domestic Visitors] When will I be informed of the selection result?
While application is possible at any time, regular selection committee meetings are held twice per year in July and January.
Please make sure that you can receive emails from academic-partnerships [at] oist.jp , tsvp [at] oist.jp and noreply [at] interfolio.com.