RIKEN CBS Summer Program

Apply

The application period has now closed.
Thank you for your interest and applications.

Please note that we are unable to accept late applications, and there is no waiting list.
The selection process has already been completed.

Application Period

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 9:00 AM (JST)

  • All documents must be prepared in English.
  • Submit all required documents within the application period. Late applications will not be accepted for any reason.
  • Failure to follow the instructions may result in elimination at an early stage of the selection process.
  • We recommend applying early to ensure your application is submitted by the deadline.
  • Multiple applications from the same applicant are permitted; only the most recent submission will be considered valid.

Part 1: Pre-Application Checklist

The following information applies to both Plan A and Plan B unless otherwise stated.

Check Your Eligibility

Please confirm that you meet all of the following conditions before applying.

  • High school students are not eligible to apply.
  • Full on-site participation for the entire program period is required.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in an academic institution or a company at the time of application and remain enrolled throughout the program period.
  • Applicants who are on a gap year or not yet enrolled at the time of application must provide a certificate of enrollment from the institution or company they will be enrolled in during the Summer Program.

→ See detailed eligibility requirements .

Check Visa and Travel Requirements

  • Applicants who are not Japanese nationals must have a valid passport.
  • If a visa is required to enter Japan, obtaining the visa is the participant’s responsibility. Failure to obtain a visa in time may prevent participation.

Check Your Participation Option and Program Dates

Please carefully review the participation format and ensure that you are available for the entire program period.

Plan A: Internship Course (2 months / On-site)
  • June 9 (Tue) – August 7 (Fri), 2026
Plan B: Lecture Course (5 days / On-site)
  • July 22 (Wed) – July 28 (Tue), 2026

→ See detailed program schedule .

Check Required Activities

  • Please ensure that you understand and can fulfill the required activities for your selected participation option.
  • Full participation in all mandatory program components is required for both Plan A and Plan B, including presentations and scheduled program events. Partial participation is not permitted.

→ See detailed participation requirements .

Check Costs and Financial Responsibility

  • Please review the financial responsibilities associated with participation in the program.
  • Participants are responsible for travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and other daily living costs unless financial support is granted.

→ See detailed information on costs and financial support .

Check Accommodation Basics

  • Please review the basic accommodation policy for your selected participation option.
  • Participants will be assigned designated accommodation unless they live within commuting distance.
  • Participants who do not receive financial support are responsible for their own accommodation expenses.

→ See detailed accommodation information .

Check the Venue and Program Location

The program will be held at RIKEN Wako Campus, Saitama, Japan.

→ See detailed access information .

Part 2: Application Guidelines

The following information applies to both Plan A and Plan B unless otherwise stated.

Application Rules

  • If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent submission will be reviewed.
  • If you wish to apply for both Plan A and Plan B, select “Both” in the application form instead of submitting separate applications.

Application Documents

All documents should be prepared in English.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Plan A: Internship course
  • CV
  • Motivation letter
  • Internship project description
  • A letter of recommendation
  • A letter requesting financial support (for applicants who require financial support)
Plan B: Lecture Course
  • CV
  • Motivation letter
  • A letter of recommendation
  • A letter requesting financial support (for applicants who require financial support)

→ See detailed Part 3: Required Documents .

Letter of Recommendation

Please ensure that your recommender is prepared to submit the letter of recommendation.

  • One letter of recommendation is required for both Plan A and Plan B.
  • The letter must be uploaded directly by the recommender.
  • Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the letter is submitted by the application deadline.
  • Late submissions will not be accepted.

→ See detailed Part 3: Required Documents .

Review Before Submitting

  • Before submitting your application, ensure that all required information and documents are complete and accurate.
  • Applications with missing information or documents will not be reviewed.
  • All required materials, including the recommendation letter, must be submitted by the deadline.

After Submission

  • After submitting your application, confirmation emails will be sent to both you and your recommender.
  • You may edit your application until the deadline.
  • If multiple applications are submitted, only the most recent submission will be reviewed.

→ See detailed information on application status and editing .

Part 3: Required Documents
  1. CV

    Please include the following:

    • Education (current affiliation, highest degree obtained, and years attended; list starting with the most recent degree)
    • Research experience
    • Publications
    • Any format is accepted. Please refer to the [Sample file (PDF: 135KB)]
  2. Motivation Letter (Why You Wish to Attend the Summer Program)
    • Describe your reasons for applying, your research background (e.g., specific fields, experimental work, laboratories), and how you plan to incorporate what you learn into your current and future research.
    • Please summarize the above in approximately 500 words.
  3. For Internship Course Applicants: Internship Project Description
    • Your project description should be as specific as possible and state whether you are familiar with the experimental techniques you plan to use.
    • A strong proposal includes clearly defined goals that can be achieved within the internship period.
    • We encourage you to contact your prospective lab head(s) in advance with a proposal describing what you would like to do during the internship.
    • There is no specific format or length requirement.
    • Please note that the program office cannot accept further inquiries regarding project proposals.
  4. Letter of Recommendation
    • After you submit your application, an automatic email will be sent to the academic supervisor you specify, including a link to upload the recommendation letter.
    • To avoid delays, we recommend asking your supervisor in advance to prepare the letter and to watch for the email from our office to ensure they do not miss the deadline.
    1. Ask your academic supervisor to prepare a recommendation letter.
    2. Your supervisor will receive an email with a link to upload the letter.
    3. You and your supervisor will receive a notification once the upload is completed.
      You can check the status of your letter of recommendation on the application website.
  5. Letter Requesting Financial Support (only for applicants who need financial support)
    • Financial support for travel and accommodation may be considered for applicants without external funding or salary.
    • Applicants who wish to request financial support must do so at the time of application submission.
    • Your letter should explain why you require financial support.
    • There is no specific format or length requirement.
Applications Closed

Selection Process

  • The program office will contact all applicants with the selection results after the review process is completed, usually around mid-February.
  • Please note that acceptance does not guarantee participation in the program.
  • Successful applicants will receive an acceptance notification and instructions for required procedures.
  • Individual feedback on selection results will not be provided.

During and After the Program

The following instructions apply to both Plan A and Plan B participants unless otherwise stated. By fulfilling these requirements, participants are encouraged to make the most of the program and take advantage of opportunities to learn and build networks with lecturers and other participants.

During the Program

Plan A: Internship Course
  • Participate in laboratory activities.
  • Participate in the poster presentation and communicate your research.
  • Participate in the Neuroethics workshop and final oral presentation.
Plan B: Lecture Course
  • Participate fully in the lecture program. Partial attendance is not permitted.

Poster Presentation

  • All participants are required to present a poster during the lecture course period.
  • The poster should present your research (past, present, or future) conducted at your current institution.
  • The poster should be prepared and printed in advance, as no printer will be available during the program.

Survey

  • Submit the survey on the last day of the program.

Failure to meet the above requirements may result in the withdrawal of financial support and/or the non-issuance of a Certificate of Attendance.

After the Program

  • If you receive financial support, submit the required documents for travel expense reimbursement and complete all necessary procedures by the deadline.
  • Maintain the friendships and networks you built with other participants and let the program office know if you plan to return to RIKEN CBS as a researcher or in another capacity. We always look forward to hearing your updates