The summer program at the University of Tokyo’s School of Engineering, called ESEP, is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in scientific research projects at world-leading laboratories at the University of Tokyo. Students from our partner universities are eligible to participate.
Participants will be assigned to one of the laboratories of their choice and engage in research activities under the supervision of faculty members for about six weeks.
In addition to research activities, the program provides opportunities to explore Japanese culture through some events and activities.
We offer two types of programs as follows:
ESEP-G : For students from our partner universities. ESEP-UC : For students from the University of California ("UCEAP STEM Research in Tokyo Engineering").
Students will be hosted by one of the laboratories. Any special academic requirements for training in each lab are also indicated on the list. List of Host Laboratories (ESEP-G 2026)
6. Program schedule
June 22: Orientation & campus tour
June 23 – July 30: Research activities (Monday to Friday)
TBD: Final presentation
July 31: Report submission
Activities
TBD: Japanese lesson (2 hours)
TBD: Japanese cultural experience
TBD: Japanese drum workshop (half day)
7. Requirements
Applicants must:
participate in the entire duration of the program.
have high academic performance and strong English proficiency.
have a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D.
remain enrolled at their home university during the program period.
(When an applicant is in the last year of their degree program, the graduation must take place after the program ends.)
not have joined this program before.
refrain from attending other courses or being employed.
respect the work of all laboratory members and participate in activities in the laboratory.
able to conduct research activities on their own initiative.
have a cooperative attitude and can live together with other students in a shared house.
8. Financial support
ESEP Scholarship
The University of Tokyo will provide a scholarship of JPY 100,000 to each participant who meets the following requirements.
The scholarship will be paid in cash.
participating in the entire duration of the program
staying in the accommodation provided by the program
attending all required activities and social events
submitting a final report to the School of Engineering at the end of the program
NOTE: Participants must bear the following costs:
Air ticket (round-trip ticket)
Overseas travel insurance and personal liability insurance
Visa fee, domestic transportation fee
Daily commuting expenses for coming to campus from the accommodation
Everyday living expenses
FUTI Scholarships for Short-term Studies (for US universities’ students)
FUTI (Friends of UTokyo, Inc) Scholarships are for participants enrolled in US universities.
If you win a FUTI scholarship, you will not be able to receive ESEP scholarship.
FUTI Scholarships for Short-term Studies
9. Insurance
Selected students must:
pay a liability insurance premium specific to the research activities on the first day of the program.
This insurance will cover any unintentional accidents involving another person and/or laboratory equipment during research activities.
The premium will cost about JPY 5,000 per person.
be covered by their own travel insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Japan and must submit copies of their insurance policy to us.
10. Accommodation
Designated accommodations will be provided free of charge to students during the program.
All participants will be staying at this accommodation. They are expected to stay in a shared house, with two students per room.
The details will be announced after the selection process.
Step 2: Prepare your photo data and fill out your information in the online application system.
Step 3: After registration, you will receive a Receipt Number.
Step 4: Convert all the required documents into PDF files and upload them to your "My Page".
Step 5: Register the information of one recommender in the recommendation letter upload system, and ask your recommender to upload the recommendation letter.
Please refer to the "How to upload a recommendation letter".
Official certificate of current enrollment
Students enrolled in their final year of the current university must submit one that includes the expected graduation date.
Official Undergraduate academic transcript in English (both undergraduate students and graduate students)
Official Graduate academic transcript in English (graduate students only)
English test scores report (IELTS/TOEIC/TOEFL/ other external tests)
Exemption: those whose nationality is USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, India or currently enrolled at a university in those countries.
Copy of Passport: Photocopy of the photo page of your valid passport. If you do not have a passport, upload a copy of your official ID.
NOTE: *Please submit the most recent certificate of enrollment and academic transcript.
Application Deadlines
・Application documents: January 15, 2026, 3:00pm (Japan time)
・Recommendation Letter: January 20, 2026, 3:00 p.m. (Japan time) *Registration for the recommendation letter system will not be accepted after January 15, 3:00 p.m. (Japan time)
NOTE:
*Please submit all documents by the deadline.
*Applications with incomplete or incorrect documents may result in disqualification from the selection process. Early submission is strongly recommended.
Selection
Candidates will be selected through document screening. Some laboratories also conduct online interviews in February.
*Make sure to provide an email address on our online application system where you can be contacted.
Selection Schedule
Selection result: March 19, 2026 *The selection results will be notified by email.
Confirmation Deadline for Successful Applicants: March 25, 3:00 p.m. (JST) *Applicants who do not respond by this deadline will be disqualified.
Selection of candidates from the waiting list: March 26 – Early April
Before contacting us, please read the above description and these FAQs carefully.
The information listed in this page will help to answer most questions.
Eligibility
Q1: My university is not listed on the "List of partner universities". Am I eligible to apply?+
A1: No, you are not eligible. This program is open only to students from partner universities.
Q2: I will not be able to start the program on the first day because my university term will not
yet be over. Can I delay the start date?+
A2: No. The period of the program is fixed and cannot be changed. Everyone participating in
the program starts and ends at the same time together. Only those who can participate for
the entire duration of the program are eligible to apply.
Q3: I am currently in my final year of undergraduate studies and will be graduating in June,
but I plan to continue on to the master’s program at the same university in September.
Am I eligible to apply for the program?+
A3: No. Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for ESEP-G. You must be enrolled at
your current university for the entire duration of ESEP-G.
Q4: Is Japanese language proficiency required?+
A4: No, Japanese proficiency is not necessary.
Required documents
Q1: What kind of document is an "official certificate of current enrollment"?+
A1: An official certificate of current enrollment is officially issued by your university to prove
that you are currently enrolled. Please ask your university to issue a document. A letter of
admission cannot be accepted. If you are in your final year at the university, please also
submit a document showing your expected graduation date.
Q2: I have never taken IELTS, TOEIC, or TOEFL. How can I prove my English ability?+
A2: Any English certificates are acceptable. If you do not have any certificates, you may submit
a document which proves your level of English. Expired test results are also acceptable.
Q3: I have just started my master's program and do not have a supervisor at my current university to ask for a recommendation letter. Can I ask a professor from my undergraduate
years?+
A3: Yes, it is fine to ask a professor from your undergraduate years to write a recommendation letter. It is best to request it from a supervisor who knows you well.
Other
Q1: May I contact the potential host professor at the University of Tokyo?+
A1: No, please refrain from contacting faculty members before the selection process to
maintain fairness.
Q2: Can I extend the program for another week?+
A2: No, it is not possible. The program duration is fixed. You cannot change the start date or
end date.
Contact
Office of International Cooperation and Exchange (OICE)
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
E-mail: seutpro.t[at]gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp
*Please replace "at" with "@".
