Within Japan there are many Inter-University Research Institutes that are not tied to any specific university. They promote top level research activities as centers of academic exchange and collaborative experiments between scientists, while functioning as repositories for large scale research equipment. They are also places where graduate students receive training and education. The National Institute for Basic Biology is one such institute, where dozens of graduate students receive advanced training while doing important work in a first class research environment. The majority of these students are attached to the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI).

The standard image of universities is of old buildings lined up together while students of various subjects commute between them pursuing their education. SOKENDAI however, has no single unified campus. Instead, the university is made up of 20 member organizations from around the country (mainly Inter-University Research Institutes) where graduate training and education take place. SOKENDAI students who enter a Basic Biology major undertake their studies and research at the National Institute for Basic Biology in Okazaki city, Aichi Prefecture. Entrance and commencement ceremonies for all majors are held at the central campus in Kanagawa Prefecture, giving the students a chance to mingle with those of other departments, and to gain a sense of unity as research students.

Basic Biology Program is one of the twenty programs that make up the Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies of SOKENDAI. 

Within the Basic Biology Major there is a five-year Doctoral program for university graduates and a three-year senior Doctoral course for students who have already completed a Master's Degree course. Semesters begin in October and April.