RIKEN CBS Summer Program 2027 in Japan | Travel + Housing

Want to Join Summer Program in Japan 2027? Interested in how the brain works and how its circuits might inform AI? The RIKEN CBS Summer Program 2027 brings students and early-career researchers to the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Wako, Japan. You can apply for a two-month lab internship, a five-day neuroscience lecture course, or both. The lecture course takes place in English and includes a poster session where you can share your research. RIKEN considers separate requests for travel and accommodation support. In this guide, we’ll cover what each plan involves, how the funding works and what you need to submit by the January deadline.

“Comparing research placements in different countries? The UNIL Summer Research Program in Switzerland is another option for undergraduates who meet its biology or medicine eligibility requirements.”

RIKEN CBS Summer Program 2027 at a Glance

• Host - RIKEN Center for Brain Science.
• Venue - RIKEN Wako Campus in Wako, Saitama, just outside Tokyo.
• Plan A - Laboratory internship from June 8 to August 5, 2027.
• Plan B - Lecture course from July 5 to 9, 2027.
• Format - Full on-site participation for the entire selected plan. Lectures, discussions and poster sessions are in English.
• Application fee - None.

What You’ll Do in Each Program Track

Laboratory Internship (Plan A)

You’ll work on a project in a host laboratory and take part in its research activities. The official program overview and host lab list includes groups studying sensory perception, motor circuits, human cognition, sleep and neurodegenerative disorders. Interns give a poster presentation, attend a neuroethics workshop and give a final talk on their project. You may also attend the lecture course if your lab schedule allows.

Neuroscience Lecture Course (Plan B)

The 2027 lecture theme is Computational Neuroscience × NeuroAI. Alongside talks, you’ll visit labs, meet CBS researchers and present a poster about research at your home institution. Both tracks require a poster, so plan to prepare and print it before traveling.

Benefits and Financial Support for the RIKEN CBS Summer Program

RIKEN can cover accommodation and eligible round-trip airfare, or Shinkansen fare for travel within Japan, if it approves your funding request. Submit the request with your application. RIKEN excludes applicants who receive a salary or other financial support from this funding.

Travel Reimbursement Caps

• JPY 300,000 - Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Latin America.
• JPY 150,000 - India and Oceania.
• JPY 100,000 - Other departures from Asia.

Approved participants buy their tickets upfront, follow RIKEN’s itinerary and claim reimbursement after returning home. If the ticket exceeds the cap, budget for the difference. RIKEN assigns accommodation to participants who live beyond commuting distance, but only those with approved financial support have their lodging costs covered.

Budget for meals and daily expenses. Plan A interns should also account for accident insurance and a pre-departure medical exam. The official costs and participation FAQ explains which expenses fall to participants.

Who Can Apply for RIKEN CBS in 2027?

• Academic stage - You must be beyond high school. RIKEN says most participants are graduate students or early-stage postdoctoral researchers and welcomes applicants at other eligible stages.
• Affiliation - You should be affiliated with an academic institution or company when you apply and throughout the program. If you are on a gap year or have yet to enroll, provide a certificate from the institution or company you will join during the program.
• Availability - You must attend the full dates in person. Check your exam, work or research calendar before choosing a plan.
• Travel - Non-Japanese applicants need a valid passport. RIKEN says participants are responsible for obtaining any visa they need.

Does RIKEN Require IELTS?

RIKEN lists no IELTS or TOEFL score in its published 2027 application checklist. Prepare all application documents in English and be ready to take part in English-language discussions and presentations.

Documents Required for the RIKEN CBS Summer Program

• CV - List your current affiliation, education, research experience and any publications. RIKEN accepts different CV formats.
• Motivation letter - In about 500 words, explain why you want to attend, describe your research background and show how you would use what you learn.
• Internship project description - Required for Plan A. Describe a project that fits the two-month period and explain your experience with the methods you propose. RIKEN encourages you to contact a prospective lab head about your idea in advance.
• One recommendation letter - Your academic supervisor uploads it directly using the link RIKEN emails after you submit.
• Financial support request - Include a separate letter explaining why you need assistance if you are requesting travel and lodging support.

RIKEN sets no fixed length or template for the internship project description. Start with a research question you can investigate in two months. Name the methods you would use and explain what you could finish by August. Mention which techniques you have already used and which you would need to learn. A short outline gives a prospective lab head something specific to respond to before you apply. If your project relies on a specific dataset or piece of equipment, ask the host lab whether you can use it during the internship.

“Ask your supervisor early. Our recommendation letter guide can help you put together the project details and deadline your referee will need.”

How to Apply for the RIKEN CBS Summer Program 2027

1. Read the official 2027 application instructions and check the dates and commitments for your preferred plan.
2. Prepare your documents before opening the form. The form has no save-as-draft option.
3. Choose Plan A, Plan B, or Both in one application. Add your funding request at this stage if you need support.
4. Submit your application and save the confirmation email. You can use its link to edit your submission before the deadline.
5. Check that your supervisor uploads the recommendation by the same cutoff. RIKEN expects to email decisions around mid-February 2027.

Application Deadline

Applications opened on November 9, 2026. Submit your application and make sure RIKEN has received your recommendation by Friday, January 8, 2027, at 9 AM Japan Standard Time. The cutoff is in the morning in Japan, so check your local time before planning to submit on the last day.

“Still comparing summer opportunities? Browse our summer schools for international students and compare dates, subject areas and funding conditions.”