All students receive an internationally competitive financial support package. OIST offers financial support comparable to that offered by other leading research universities.

Students in the PhD Program are expected to engage full-time in advanced study and research. Financial support of about 2.5 million yen per year (taxable) is provided for each year of approved full-time study, which is sufficient to ensure a comfortable standard of living. Course fees will also be covered. Students additionally receive support for relocation to Okinawa, a personal computer, and financial support for educational travel and conference attendance.

While the University maintains financial support system, students are strongly encouraged to apply for external fellowships. In order to reward success, remuneration provided by the university as an OIST Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship may be used to supplement external fellowships.

Students in the Research Internship program will be provided with a living allowance of 2,400 JPY per day, housing accommodation either on campus or nearby, commuting support where necessary, and a direct round-trip flight between your home or institution and Okinawa. With full support for daily life, our interns can fully focus on their research internship.

Excellent accommodation is provided in an area called the Campus Village, which is situated on a lake and surrounded by natural forest on a hillside overlooking subtropical beaches. Students may choose among architecturally-designed single, double, or family housing options that include kitchens and living rooms. Housing is located a short walk from amenities such as a convenience store and fitness gym, and is close to the laboratory buildings. The apartments are all brand new with stunning sea views only a 5-minute walk from a beautiful beach. Students are expected to live on campus for the first year of their program, and are welcomed to stay longer.

One cannot fully experience student life without social life. OIST offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as clubs, where students can participate in a wide range of activities from athletics to arts. The club activities allow interactions with individuals from in and out of OIST community, enriching students' social and cultural life in Okinawa.  

“Ganjuu” is an Okinawan word meaning ‘good, well, strong, healthy’.  In order to thrive in the OIST environment, people need a certain level of Ganjuu. Qualified clinical psychologists and counsellors support and nurture Ganjuu in the whole of the OIST community, providing a range of services in both English and Japanese. If other languages are required they can work through interpreters.

There are rental cars available to use for researchers and students. OIST also has university bus services for commuting and shopping trips.

OIST has a Campus Clinic service including an on-site doctor during working hours. If necessary, the clinic refers students to local health services. Excellent hospitals and clinics are available in Okinawa, and assistance with English and other languages is available. All OIST students also have accident and disaster insurance.

OIST has Child Development Center (CDC) from 2-month old to 6-year old, and School Aged Program (SAP) for 5 to 14-year old children.Classes are all offered in English and Japanese and well-trained licensed teachers take a good care of these children so that students can focus on their research. This international and diverse environment enables children to acquire the global perspectives and adaptability.

There are several schooling options in Okinawa for families with school-age children (ages 6-18). From local Japanese to international schools available throughout the island, OIST's Education Coordinator can help you find the best schooling option for your family based on your specific needs. In addition, the OIST School Subsidy Program is available to OIST parents whose children's primary language is not Japanese.

A dynamic and efficient student support section provides front-line help to students in all matters concerned with their life at graduate school, starting from relocation process (visa process), as well as continuous support during the PhD Program.

OIST Resource Center provides daily life support to all staff and students and their family members – everyone in the OIST community.

Some examples of the help they provide are Credit Card application / Obtaining a mobile phone or SIM card / Driver’s License conversion process / Car insurance, inspection, service / Car Tax / Name Transfer of the car / Car Rental / Home Internet / Bank related issues / Taxi/Restaurant Reservations / Shipping, Disposal of goods / Garbage issues / Obtaining certificate from municipal office / Ordering goods from internet / Mail and package redelivery / Family Member Access Card / OIST Shuttle bus schedule / Off boarding process.