Applications are now open for one of the most prestigious industrial training opportunities in the world — the Vulcanus in Japan Programme 2026–2027, running from August 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. This is an elite, fully funded training experience designed specifically for engineering, science, technology, and mathematics students from EU Member States and countries associated with the Single Market Programme. And yes — the window stays open until 20 January 2026, giving aspiring engineers and scientists a chance to prepare a competitive application.
This news article walks you through what Vulcanus in Japan actually offers, why it is considered a major career accelerator, what you will experience during the 8-month immersion, who is eligible, and when you must apply to be considered for the 2026-2027 cohort.
What Is Vulcanus in Japan?
Launched in 1997, Vulcanus in Japan is an advanced industrial training programme that blends cultural immersion with hands-on research and engineering experience inside top Japanese companies. The 2026–2027 session spans eight months and includes:
- A seminar on Japan
- An intensive two-month Japanese language course
- A six-month traineeship inside a Japanese host company
The programme aims to expose students to cutting-edge technology, strengthen EU–Japan academic and industrial ties, and prepare participants for careers with international scope.
What Does This Programme Offer?
This is where the Vulcanus programme truly stands out — the package is generous, structured, and purpose-built for serious engineering trainees.
- Covered By EU-Japan Centre: Full cost of the seminar on Japan, and full cost of the compulsory Japanese language course.
- Covered By Host Companies: Accommodation for the entire eight-month stay
- Financial Support: Each participant receives up to €9,200 in total, broken down as:
- €8,200 for participation in the traineeship and compulsory programme components
- €1,000 extra for students who complete the optional Eyes on Japan group assignment.
Insurance for the programme duration is also included (if arranged by the Centre, its cost is deducted from the total grant). In short, the programme covers training, language learning, accommodation, and paid industrial immersion — an exceptionally rare combination for students at this level.
Are You Eligible for Vulcanus 2026 Scholarship?
Before you jump in, here is your eligibility self-check:
- You must be a citizen of an EU Member State or a country associated with the Single Market Programme (SME Pillar).
- You must be enrolled at a university in one of these countries.
- Your field of study must be engineering, science, technology, or mathematics, including:
- Mechanical, chemical, electrical, nuclear, civil
- Biotechnology, physics, computer science
- Telecommunications, GNSS, production systems, and similar fields
- You must be studying between the fourth official year of studies and the final year of PhD at the time of application.
- You must present an enrolment certificate valid until at least June 2026.
- You must commit fully to the entire 8-month programme.
- You must be able to communicate fluently in English.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated on:
- Academic performance and study regularity
- Motivation letter and recommendation letters
- Adaptability, resilience, and cultural openness
- Compatibility with internship offers
- Demonstrated interest in Japan and industrial experience
- Overall application quality.
Priority is given to candidates with no previous experience in Japanese companies and non-native Japanese speakers.
Apply: https://www.eu-japan.eu/events/vulcanus-japan
Application Deadline for Vulcanus in Japan 2026–2027
The call for the 2026–2027 session opens on 3 November 2025, and the last date to apply is 20 January 2026 (23:00 CET) and a maximum of 35 students will be selected for this cycle.