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IRCMS Internship Program
- OVERVIEW
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IRCMS, a center of excellence for dedicated to world-class research in stem cell, development, aging, and cancer, launched the IRCMS Research Internship Program in 2015. We place a high priority on fostering international collaboration and promoting the exchange of young scientists worldwide. Through hands-on research experience under the supervision of leading principal investigator (PI), this program provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to engage in advanced medical research as Research Interns.
Please click here for the Application Guidelines for AY2026
- ELIGIBILITY
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- Eligibility is open to applicants of all nationalities, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and early-career scientists affiliated with institutions outside Japan in the field of medical sciences or related disciplines.
- Recent graduates who plan to enroll in a postgraduate program are also eligible. Preference will be given to applicants who intend to pursue further studies at the Graduate School of Medical Sciences (GSMS), Kumamoto University. Current students are expected to graduate within one to two years from the time of application.
- Applicants must select one PI from the list below as their prospective host.
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Research Theme/Website Principal Investigator(PI) Cardiac Morphogenesis
https://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/members/jrpi/ASAI Rieko Multicellular Dynamics
https://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/members/pis/hiroki_kurihara/KURIHARA Hiroki Macrophages Biology
https://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/members/jrpi/LIU Norika Proteostasis in Stem Cell
http://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/research/kenichi_miharada/MIHARADA Kenichi Multi-dimensional Imaging
http://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/research/hidenobu_mizuno/MIZUNO Hidenobu Developmental Morphogenesis
http://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/research/guojun_sheng/SHENG Guojun Hematopoietic Stem Cells
http://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/research/terumasa_umemoto/UMEMOTO Terumasa Epigenetic Inheritance
https://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/members/pis/Yuta_Takahashi/TAKAHASHI Yuta Stem Cell Stress
http://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/research/hitoshi_takizawa/TAKIZAWA Hitoshi *Click PI's name to contact
- DURATION
- The internship period ranges from 2 to 8 weeks and must be completed by early March 2027. The exact duration and schedule must be discussed and agreed upon with the host PI in advance.
University holidays (No internship activities permitted):
・August 11-16, 2026
・December 26, 2026 - January 3, 2027
Applicants are advised not to schedule their visit during these periods.
- REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
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- Application form and CV. (Form)
- Letter of recommendation from an academic supervisor of the home institution or the last university attended. The letter should be on official letterhead and include contact details and signature.
- Additional supporting documents if any (e.g., awards, publications).
- SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
- All documents must be submitted through the IRCMS online registration system. Submissions by email will not be accepted.
https://forms.office.com/r/3ip09fHnMK - Documents must be prepared in English or Japanese, in A4 size, and submitted in PDF format. Document written in other languages must be accompanied by an English translation.
- Submitted documents will not be returned.
- Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
- Applicants who provide false information will be disqualified from the selection process, or if already selected, required to withdraw from the program.
- APPLICATION PERIODS
- SELECTIONS PROCEDURES
- Applicants must select a host PI and submit the required documents through the online registration system as instructed.
- The host PI will review the applications to select the potential candidates, and conduct interviews.
- Based on the PI's evaluation, the IRCMS Research Internship Committee will conduct the final screening and determine the results.
- The IRCMS Administrative Office will notify applicants of the result by email. Successful applicants must confirm their participation within 7 days of receiving the notification. If no reply is received within this period, IRCMS reserves the right to withdraw the offer.
- NOTE:
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- Applicants who intend to apply for the Doctoral Course (PhD) at GSMS may receive priority consideration
- FINANCIAL SUPPORT
IRCMS provides financial support covering:
1) Travel expenses:
One round-trip air ticket between the participant's place of residence and Kumamoto.
IRCMS arrange the most reasonable travel means for the participants.
2) Accommodation:
IRCMS will arrange reasonably priced accommodation. Participants are required to pay the accommodation fee in advance by wire transfer.
Approximate accommodation costs:
・JPY 50,000 for two weeks
・JPY 200,000 for eight weeks (including utilities such as water, electricity and gas)
participant by wire transfer, following confirmation of their return to their home country.
- PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participants must:
・Consult the host PI regarding their travel schedule prior to making travel arrangements.
・Pay accommodation fees in advance as instructed.
・Obtain appropriate health and travel insurance covering the entire stay.
・Use the air tickets arranged by IRCMS.
・Be financially responsible for their daily expenses during the program period. Participants are strongly advised to bring some cash in Japanese
yen, or another major foreign currency convertible into Japanese yen, and/or a credit card.
・Focus on their assigned research project during the program.
・Submit weekly reports and a final report upon completion.
・Conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner throughout the program. Any misconduct may result in immediate termination
of participation. A Certificate of Completion will be issued by email after IRCMS confirms the participant's return.
- Contact for inquiries
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Administration Office
International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS)
Kumamoto University
Email: ircms@jimu.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
http://ircms.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/
