If you want a serious, lab-based research internship in Japan in 2026, the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (RIKEN IMS) Internship Program is one of the most recognized options for international Master’s, PhD, medical students, and eligible early postdocs. Applications are typically accepted on a rolling basis, and RIKEN IMS advises applying at least four months before your intended start date.
Basic information (deadline included)
The RIKEN IMS Internship Program places selected interns in a host laboratory at RIKEN IMS, with internships commonly lasting 1 to 3 months. RIKEN IMS states you should submit your application no later than four months before your desired start date due to the selection schedule.
- Host Institute: RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), Japan
- Location: Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan
- Duration: 1–3 months
- Number of positions: Around 8
- Internship resumed in April 2024 (after COVID-19 suspension)
- Timeline (FY2026)
- Earliest Start: April 2026
- Latest Start: January 2027
- Fastest application submission: January 2026
- Latest submission: September 2026
University/Institution details + study areas
The internship is hosted by the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), and opportunities are associated with RIKEN IMS laboratories (host labs). Applicants are expected to first identify a participating lab and then propose a research topic that fits the host laboratory’s work.
Study areas (Research Fields)
This is not a “degree program,” so you typically apply to a host lab rather than a named academic major, and your proposed project should match that lab. Commonly described focus areas under integrative medical sciences include genome-wide medical science, immunology and physiology, bioinformatics, and molecular/biochemical/quantitative sciences.
- Genome-wide medical science
- Immunology & Physiology
- Bioinformatics
- Molecular & Biochemical sciences
- Quantitative sciences
RIKEN IMS Internship Program benefits
RIKEN IMS organizes support under categories described by multiple opportunity portals:
✅ Category 1 (Master’s/PhD/Medical Students)
- Lodging support
- Travel expenses
- Internship allowance: 3,000 yen per working day
✅ Category 2 (Young Postdocs – within 3 years of PhD)
- Lodging support
- Travel expenses
- ❌ No daily allowance
🏠 Lodging Support Rate
- 1–30 days: up to 11,600 yen/day
- 31–60 days: up to 10,440 yen/day
- 61+ days: up to 9,280 yen/day
Benefits not included
You should plan conservatively and verify funding details for your category with your host lab/committee.
Eligibility criteria for RIKEN IMS Internship Program
- Category 1: Master’s, PhD, or equivalent-level medical students
- Category 2: Postdocs within 3 years after PhD
- Must be enrolled in an academic institution during internship
- Internship does NOT support long-stay visa (over 90 days)
- Student and early postdoc categories are commonly used in program descriptions (students vs. young postdocs).
Selection Criteria
- Strong motivation to develop as a researcher
- Internship supports career development
- Research proposal fits IMS laboratory
- Applicant cannot join without this financial support
Important Notes
- No salary (only financial support mentioned above)
- Cancellation fees must be paid by the intern
- Rejected applicants will NOT be notified
- Documents cannot be changed or returned after submission
Required documents (officially listed)
RIKEN IMS requests that you email application materials written in English and includes the following items.
- CV
- Purpose statement (1 page, including proposed research topic)
- Research background (1 page)
- Agreement form
- GDPR consent (EU/UK only)
- Recommendation letter (sent directly by supervisor)
- 📌 Email subject format:
Your Name (Affiliation) / Host Lab Name
RIKEN IMS Internship Program application process (step-by-step guide)
- Choose the RIKEN IMS lab where you want to work (from the participating labs list).
- Choose a participating IMS laboratory
- Prepare research topic suitable for host lab
- Email application at least 4 months before desired start date
- Draft a research topic proposal that fits the host lab’s research.
- Attach all required documents (CV, purpose, research background, agreement form, and GDPR consent if applicable).
- Ensure your supervisor separately sends the recommendation letter directly to the host team leader (not as part of your own email).
- Submit your materials at least four months before your intended start date to fit the selection schedule.
Tips for a successful application (what actually improves selection odds)
- Write your 1-page “Purpose” like a mini research pitch: specific question, why this lab, what methods you can use, and what outcome you can deliver in 1–3 months.
- Align your proposal tightly with the host lab’s direction, because RIKEN IMS explicitly asks you to pick a lab first and then propose a suitable topic.
- Treat the recommendation letter as a key document: the official instructions require it to be sent directly by your supervisor to the host team leader.
- Apply early: the official guidance is four months ahead of start date, and the schedule table shows the process can span multiple months.
- Keep formatting clean (A4, 1 page for each statement) and keep English simple, because that is exactly how materials are requested.
Monthly living expenses in Japan (USD) + budgeting notes
Japan’s official “Study in Japan” guidance (sourced from JASSO’s 2023 lifestyle survey) lists an average monthly cost of living for international students (excluding study/research costs) with total expenditure around 105,000 JPY, and it notes rents in Tokyo and other large cities tend to be higher. The same official page cites monthly housing averages of 41,000 JPY nationally and 57,000 JPY in Tokyo.
To keep budgeting simple in USD (exchange rates change), many students can think in these rough ranges for the Yokohama/Kanto area:
- Estimated monthly living cost (USD): about $700–$1,300/month (very rough), depending heavily on rent style (dorm vs. private room) and lifestyle, anchored to the 105,000 JPY monthly average and higher big-city rent levels noted in official guidance.
- Typical monthly expense categories: rent, food, utilities, transportation, insurance/miscellaneous (the official page emphasizes that housing is a major driver and that big-city housing costs are higher).
Why choose the RIKEN IMS Internship Program 2026? (5+ reasons) + FAQ
Top reasons to apply
- Lab-first matching: you choose a host lab and propose a topic designed for that environment.
- Clear, structured application requirements (fixed page limits and defined documents).
- Rolling timeline flexibility, as long as you apply at least four months before your intended start date.
- Strong integrative medical sciences orientation (often described across immunology/physiology, bioinformatics, genomics, and quantitative sciences).
- Financial support is commonly described for student applicants (travel, lodging, and a daily allowance in some categories).
- Short, focused duration (often described as 1–3 months), which can fit between semesters or research milestones.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the application deadline for 2026?
RIKEN IMS advises submitting your application no later than four months before your desired start date, and the official timeline table shows the slowest cycle can extend to September–October 2026 depending on start timing.
Q2: Can I apply without IELTS?
RIKEN IMS’s official instructions emphasize that application materials should be written in English and do not mention an IELTS requirement on the application procedure section.
Q3: Do I need to already have a host professor/lab?
Yes—RIKEN IMS’s official process begins with finding the laboratory where you want to work, then proposing a topic suitable for that lab.
Q4: What documents are mandatory?
RIKEN IMS lists a CV, a 1-page purpose statement, a 1-page research background, the 2026 agreement form, GDPR consent for EU/UK residents (only if applicable), and a recommendation letter sent directly by the supervisor to the host team leader.
Q5: How long can I stay in Japan for this internship?
The official agreement form notes the program does not qualify for a long-stay visa over 90 days, and many portals describe the internship duration as 1–3 months.
Timeline (FY2026)
- Earliest Start: April 2026
- Latest Start: January 2027
- Fastest application submission: January 2026
- Latest submission: September 2026
Official Link:
EPFL Excellence Fellowships 2026 in Switzerland: A Comprehensive Guide
