Taiwan TIGP Summer Internship 2026 Program Open for Applications
Taiwan has officially opened applications for its Taiwan International Internship Program, a paid summer research opportunity closely aligned with the Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP) and designed for international students preparing for future PhD studies. Hosted by Academia Sinica, Taiwan’s top national research institution, this internship invites overseas undergraduate and master’s-level students to gain early, hands-on research experience in Taiwan ahead of the 2026–2027 doctoral admission cycle. For students targeting TIGP or other competitive PhD programs, this internship serves as a practical and strategic entry point into Taiwan’s research ecosystem.
The Taiwan International Internship Program functions as a pre-doctoral training pathway rather than a classroom-based academic program. Interns are placed directly into active research groups at Academia Sinica and its partner universities, where they work under the supervision of senior researchers. This structure allows participants to understand real research workflows, laboratory expectations, and academic culture, all of which are essential for students planning to apply to TIGP or other international PhD programs.
Why This Internship Is Important for TIGP-Oriented Applicants
For students considering the Taiwan International Graduate Program, early exposure to Academia Sinica’s research environment is a major advantage. The internship helps applicants explore research interests, identify potential supervisors, and gain insight into how doctoral research is conducted in Taiwan. Many successful TIGP applicants already demonstrate prior research experience, and this internship helps bridge that gap for students who may not yet have strong laboratory exposure.
Academia Sinica is internationally recognized for its research excellence in life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and interdisciplinary fields. Completing a research internship at this institution strengthens an applicant’s academic profile and signals readiness for advanced doctoral-level research, particularly within TIGP’s globally competitive framework.
Financial Support That Makes Research Abroad Accessible
The Taiwan International Internship Program offers solid financial support to ensure international participation. Selected interns receive a monthly stipend of NTD 30,000 before tax for the two-month internship period. This stipend is intended to cover daily living costs and allow students to focus entirely on research without financial strain.
In addition, the program reimburses half of the economy-class round-trip airfare from the intern’s home country to Taipei. When multiple interns travel from the same location in the same batch, reimbursement is calculated based on the lowest available airfare, with a defined cap. Affordable on-campus accommodation is arranged for interns, keeping housing costs manageable and allowing participants to live close to their research facilities.
Research Fields and Language Environment
The internship focuses on hands-on scientific research across disciplines available at Academia Sinica and collaborating universities. Interns actively participate in experiments, data analysis, and research discussions, gaining experience that is directly relevant to future PhD applications, including TIGP pathways.
English is widely used as the working language in laboratories, making the program accessible to international students without Chinese language proficiency. At the same time, interns have the opportunity to learn basic Chinese and engage with Taiwanese culture, offering both academic and personal growth during the program.
Who Can Apply and Key Restrictions
This opportunity is open to international undergraduate students in their final year, current master’s students, and individuals who already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The program is specifically intended for pre-doctoral candidates, which means students currently enrolled in a PhD program are not eligible to apply.
Applicants who have previously participated in the Taiwan International Internship Program are not eligible, as the program prioritizes first-time participants. Current employees or research assistants at Academia Sinica are also excluded, ensuring the internship remains focused on external international talent exploring research and TIGP-related doctoral pathways.
The last date to apply for the Taiwan International Internship Program hosted by Academia Sinica and linked to TIGP is 15 January, 2026.