WHAT IS IT?

Vulcanus in Japan started in 1997. The programme consists of industrial placements for students in engineering or other scientific fields. It is open to EU nationals and to citizens of countries associate to the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (*). It starts in August 2025 and ends in March 2026 (total duration: 8 months).

The students follow:

• a seminar on Japan,
• a two-month intensive Japanese language course,
• and then a six-month traineeship in a company based in Japan.

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 eight-month experience abroad
• To be well placed in your future career to interact with Japanese businesses and people.

WHAT DO WE OFFER? (WHO PAYS WHAT)

The EU-Japan Centre covers costs directly related to the internship: cost for providing lectures on Japan and Japanese language course (compulsory activities).

The Host Company provides accommodation throughout the entire stay in Japan.

A maximum of € 9,200 will be given in total per student for the period spanning from August to March. € 8,200 will be given for participation in the traineeship and its compulsory activities. An additional € 1,000 will be provided to each student who participates in an optional ‘Eyes on Japan’ assignment carried out as group work. The grant amount includes insurance coverage for the duration of stay in Japan. In case the EU-Japan Centre arranges insurance, the corresponding cost will be deducted from the total grant amount.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

The applicant must be:

• citizen of an EU Member State or country associated to the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (*)
• student in engineering or other scientific fields (**), enrolled at a university in an EU Member State or country associated to the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar (*)
• enrolled, when applying, in between the 4th official year of studies and the penultimate year of PhD
• enrolled at university at least until early summer 2025
• able to provide a certificate of enrolment at the university valid until at least 1 month prior to the starting of the programme (please note that you cannot complete your cycle of studies before June)
• able to participate in the entire programme
• able to communicate fluently in English

(*) Please check the status of your country at https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/smp/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_smp_en.pdf  (please refer only to countries listed under the “COSME strand” or to countries participating in the “Competitiveness of SMEs” strand and for which the agreement is signed and entered into force by the 'Vulcanus in Japan' application deadline).

(**) Computer science, mechanical engineering, chemical, electronics, biotechnology, electrical engineering, physics, telecommunication, nuclear engineering, civil engineering, metal, materials, ceramics, production system, GNSS, etc. (this programme does not cover non-scientific studies)

SELECTION CRITERIA

The main criteria for selection are:

• Quality of the application:
  • Adaptability/resilience to experience abroad
  • Academic career: regularity in studies
  • Interest in an industrial experience in Japan (and attitude towards Japan and EU-Japan relations)
  • Quality of motivation letter
  • Quality of recommendation letter
  • Overall accuracy of the application
  • Grades: marks obtained at university
• Compatibility with at least one internship offered by a host company in Japan

Applications will be evaluated based on the above criteria to create a shortlist of max. 140 applicants (which is max.  4 times the expected number of participants in the 2025–2026 session of Vulcanus in Japan).

• Priority will be given to applicants who have no experience in a Japanese company and whose knowledge of Japanese is not at native speaker level. (Native speakers or equivalent will only be selected if no other candidates are compatible with certain internship offers).

The Japanese host companies have the final say in the selection of participants. They select the candidate who best matches their internship position's needs and expectations from the shortlisted applicants.

The match-making procedure operates on a 'first come first served' basis. Only the companies that accept an applicant first will guarantee their participation in the programme (for more information: click here).

Vulcanus in Japan 2025-2026 will welcome max. 35 students.

DOES YOUR PERSONALITY SUIT VULCANUS?

Whilst nearly all participants find Vulcanus a rewarding and enriching experience, it can at times prove stressful (due to loneliness, cultural differences, work pressures, etc.). Before deciding to apply, please consider carefully whether you can deal with the challenges you might face.

DATES OF THE CALL

Session: AUG 2025 - MAR 2026 --> opening date: 4 November 2024 / DEADLINE to apply: 20 January 2025 (23:00 CET)

SUBMISSION OF YOUR APPLICATION

What documents should you submit? How should you apply? 

Please submit your application through filling out the word form https://cdnw8.eu-japan.eu/sites/default/files/imce/vulcanus_japan/vj25-AF-.doc  (first step) and through filling out the webform at https://forms.gle/kAwbNgQSs9vmKjEG6 (second step)

Instructions on compulsory supporting documents and on how to apply are available at https://cdnw8.eu-japan.eu/sites/default/files/imce/vulcanus_japan/VJ25-HOW_TO_APPLY-.doc 

A list of FAQ is available at https://cdnw8.eu-japan.eu/sites/default/files/imce/vulcanus_japan/VJ25_FAQ-.doc 

Before applying, please read our Privacy Policy 

TESTIMONIALS FROM FORMER PARTICIPANTS

	Ms Sarah MOUGHARBEL (FR)  VinJ Trainee at Fujitsu Lab Ltd. "Taking part in the Vulcanus in Japan program has allowed me to spend a year during which every second was a mental, social and cultural stimulation" Read more
	Ms Madalina IOVANICA (RO) VinJ Trainee at Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation  "I applied for Vulcanus in Japan with the mindset that the program would, for sure substantially, improve my professional skills and stimulate my personal growth. And so it happened." Read more