We recommend that you apply early in order to ensure that your application arrives by the deadline. Please read through the instructions and the Application FAQ (Important Information) before you prepare the application. Failure to follow all the instructions may eliminate your application in the selection process at an early stage. Selection results will be sent by email 4–6 weeks after the application deadline. All documents should be prepared in English.

Application deadline: Monday, January 15, 2024, 9:00, JST
Thank you for many applications. The deadline has been closed.

The deadline for the recommendation letter is also the same day. Your supervisor will receive an email asking him/her to upload the recommendation letter once you register your supervisor's information. It is important you make sure that your supervisor is aware of your request for a recommendation.

Requirements (All documents should be prepared in English)

1. Internship project description (for plan A)
2. CV (Education/Research experience/ Publications)
3. Motivation Letter
4. A letter of recommendation (from your supervisor)
5. A letter requesting financial support (those who need financial support)

Application FAQ (Important Information)

Please read carefully to see if your question has been answered here.

1. Is my enrolment ensured when I get an acceptance notification?

   Even though you get an acceptance notification from Summer Program Committee, there is a possibility that a VISA can NOT be granted in a timely manner so that you end up not participating in the program because of some political issues or the current instability in the world. Please be sure that the RIKEN travel policy can’t support your travel if you don’t belong to any Institute/University during the Summer Program.

2. What are the requirements to fulfill during the program?

   Internship course (Plan A):

   1. Attend and actively participate in all necessary laboratory activities throughout the courses.
   2. Present a poster of your research at your home institution for the purpose of scientific interaction during the lecture course week.
   3. Attend the Neuroethics workshop in the lecture schedule.
   4. Give a presentation on your internship research work at the end of the course.
   5. Submit the course survey at the conclusion of the internship.

   Please note that failure to fulfill these requirements will result in the denial of your financial support and certificate of attendance.
   The internship program must fall within the designated period (2 months, June 20–August 20) and is not flexibly adjusted to your convenience.

   Lecture course (Plan B):

   1. Participate in all scheduled activities throughout the lecture course.
   2. Present a poster of your research at your current institution for the purpose of scientific interaction.
   3. Submit the course survey at the conclusion of the lecture course.

   Please note that failure to fulfill these requirements will result in the denial of your financial support and certificate of attendance regardless of the program format (on-site, hybrid, or online).

3. How can I prepare application documents?

   1. Internship project description

      Your project descriptions should be as specific as possible and state whether you are familiar with the experimental techniques you plan to use. Successful descriptions are expected to have clearly defined goals that can be achieved within the internship period. We encourage you to contact your potential lab head(s) with your proposal describing what you want to do during the internship period. There is no specific format or length. We won’t answer any further questions on this matter.

   2. CV

      Curriculum Vitae (must include the following categories)
      1. Education (provide the institution name, highest degree obtained, and the years you studied there; start with your most recent degree)
      2. Research experience
      3. Publications

   3. Motivation Letter (Reason why you wish to attend the Summer Program)

      Please write a brief statement of approximately 500 words, summarizing your research background including specific fields, experimental work, laboratories, etc., and how you plan to incorporate what you learn into your current and future research work.

   4. A letter of recommendation from your supervisor

      A recommendation letter should be directly uploaded by your supervisor. Auto-email will be sent to him/her to inform the link when you submit the application form. In advance of your application submission, please ask your supervisor to check their e-mail box and upload the letter.

   5. A letter requesting financial support (For those who need it)

      Financial support for travel and accommodation will be considered for those without external funding or salary. Any candidate intending to request financial support MUST request it when submitting his/her application. Your letter should state why you require the support.

4. What kind of financial support does the CBS Summer Program offer?

   Those who submit a financial request letter and are approved will receive the following support. Applicants must follow RIKEN's travel itinerary in accordance with RIKEN's regulations.
   • Round-trip airfare* or bullet train (Shinkansen) fare
   • Transportation fee between Narita/Haneda Airport and RIKEN
   • Accommodation
   *There is a maximum amount for each region for ticket reimbursement.
   Therefore, please note that we may not be able to reimburse the full amount.

   Airfare and domestic transportation must be purchased by the participant.
   Reimbursement will be made after the required documents are submitted upon return to your country.
   There will be no salary supplement or support for food expenses.
   Please see above for the required forms to be submitted. More information about our financial support will be provided after you have been qualified for the program.

5. How much are the registration fees?

   No registration fees are required.

6. When is the deadline for letters of recommendation?

   The deadline for submission of letters of recommendation is the same as the application deadline.

7. When will the selection results be announced?

   Selection results will be announced around early February.

8. Eligibility

   Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an academic institute or company at the time of application throughout the program period. High school students are not eligible.
   Inquiries regarding further eligibility won’t be answered. We encourage you to apply if you are interested.

9. Are multiple applications possible?

   Only one application per person will be accepted. Multiple applications from the same person will be accepted with the latest as valid. If you would like to apply to both Internship (Plan A) and Lecture (Plan B), please select "Both" in the Plan section.

Inquiries