The Ultimate RIKEN CBS Guide: My Roadmap for Indian Students (Summer Internships & PhD in Tokyo)
皆さん、こんにちは！(Hello everyone!)
Har roz, mere DMs bhare rehte hain. “Akash bhai, main engineering student hoon, Japan mein research kaise karun?” “Akash bhai, main Life Sciences mein hoon, RIKEN ka naam suna hai, but process samajh nahi aa raha.”. I get it. Aap sirf Japan aane ka sapna nahi dekh rahe; you are aiming for the best. Aur jab baat science aur research ki aati hai, RIKEN is the “big league.”
Toh aaj, let’s talk about the RIKEN Centre for Brain Science (CBS) in Tokyo. Yeh koi normal lab nahi hai. This is one of the ultimate frontiers in natural science, a world-famous, “dream” institution where scientists are literally exploring the mysteries of the brain.
Lekin haan, India se process complex lagta hai, website confusing hai, aur aisa lagta hai ki impossible hai.
Toh chalo, main, Akash, aapka ‘Indori in Japan’ bhai, aaj poora process break down karunga. From summer internships to a full PhD, this is your complete, step-by-step roadmap. This post will bridge the gap between your dream and reality. This is your ‘Japan is the place to be’ guide, specifically for RIKEN.
What is RIKEN CBS? (And Why You MUST Aim for It)
Sabse pehle, yeh confusion clear karo: RIKEN is not a typical university.
Yeh hai RIKEN (Rikagaku Kenkyusho), ek massive, government-funded research institution hai, aur CBS (Centre for Brain Science) uska ek crown jewel hai. Unka mission simple terms mein: hamare brain ko har level pe samajhna, from cells to social systems.
Toh yeh aapke liye dream lab kyun hai?
- It’s Interdisciplinary (Sirf Biology Walon Ke Liye Nahi Hai!): This is the key. Jab log ‘Brain Science’ sunte hain, unhe lagta hai yeh sirf neuroscientists ya doctors ke liye hai. NO. RIKEN CBS’s mission requires integrated research. Unhe physics, chemistry, engineering, information science, mathematics, aur AI, sabki zaroorat hai. So, if you are an engineer from India with an interest in, say, AI or data processing, you have a place here.
- World-Class & International: Yeh koi chhota-mota lab nahi hai; it’s a “leading international center” and the main “hub” for neuroscience in Japan. The environment is global. Aage main bataunga, but you don’t even need Japanese to work here.
- The Vibe: Yeh jagah “young researchers” ke liye bani hai. Past students ke testimonials padho toh pata chalta hai ki it’s not just about data; it’s about “people, connection, and ideas shared across continents”. Yahaan community pe focus hai, annual retreats hote hain, seminars hote hain.
Toh sawaal yeh hai… how do you get in? There are two main ‘doors’ for students. Let’s start with the first and most popular one.
The "Golden Ticket" — The RIKEN CBS Summer Program
Agar aapko RIKEN ka “vibe” check karna hai, get your foot in the door, aur aise connections banane hain jo seedhe PhD ya job tak le jaayein, toh RIKEN CBS Summer Program aapka “golden ticket” hai.
Aur sabse achhi baat? Yeh sabke liye hai. The website clearly states: “Attendees come from wide-ranging academic backgrounds”. This includes Bachelor’s students, Master’s students, PhD students, and even Postdocs.
Jab aap apply karte hain, aapke paas do main options hote hain:
Plan A (The "Intern")
Yeh hai asli deal. This is a 2-month laboratory internship. You will literally “work in a CBS Lab… and participate in the research activities of the host laboratory”. This is for “doers” who want real, hands-on research experience.
Plan B (The "Scholar")
Yeh ek 5-day intensive lecture course hai. Yahaan aap “distinguished international faculty” se seekhte hain. This is for “learners” who want to absorb cutting-edge knowledge in a short time.
Toh ab aapka sawaal: “Akash bhai, main kiske liye apply karun?”
My clear advice: Apply for ‘Both’.
Kyun? Dhyan se suno. The application form lets you select “Both”. Aur yeh sirf ek option nahi hai; it’s integrated. RIKEN’s own rules say that “Internship participants (Plan A)… a poster ‘must be presented'” during the Plan B lecture week.
Iska matlab hai, woh chahte hain ki dono groups mingle karein. Plan A sirf lab mein chupchaap baithne wali internship nahi hai. Aapko lab work (2 months) aur networking/learning (5 days) dono ka benefit milta hai. It’s the best of both worlds.
How to Apply for the Summer Program (The Step-by-Step Plan)
Okay, pen and paper nikaal lo. This is the most important part. Agar aapko Summer Program 2026 target karna hai, toh yeh process hai.
Application window aksar mid-November se early January tak open rehta hai. For example, the 2026 program deadline is January 7, 2026. Results aapko mid-February tak mil jaate hain.
Your Application "Checklist" (All in English)
Yeh saare documents English mein hone chahiye:
- Academic CV: Simple, professional. Ismein Education, Research Experience, aur Publications (agar hai toh) clear-cut likha hona chahiye.
- Motivation Letter (~500 words): Yeh aapki “Why RIKEN?” story hai. Aapka research background kya hai, aur aap RIKEN mein seekhi hui cheezon ko apne future research mein kaise use karoge.
- Letter of Recommendation (LoR): Aapko ek LoR chahiye apne current supervisor (professor, guide, etc.) se. Aur please, apne supervisor ko pehle se bol ke rakho. The system sends them an ‘auto-email’ for the upload. Last day ka wait mat karna!
- Letter Requesting Financial Support (If you need it): Isko bhoolna mat. Agar aapko financial support chahiye, toh aapko “MUST request it when submitting” the application. Honestly, likho ki aapko support ki zaroorat kyun hai?
The "Make-or-Break" Document: Your Internship Project Description (for Plan A)
Yahaan pe 90% log galti karte hain. Yeh koi simple essay nahi hai.
The instructions say it must be “as specific as possible,” “state whether you are familiar with the experimental techniques,” and have “clearly defined goals that can be achieved within the internship period”.2
Aap India mein baithkar yeh “specific” proposal kaise banaoge? Iske liye hai mera pro-tip.
Akash's Pro-Tip: How to Email a RIKEN Professor (and Not Get Ignored)
Dhyaan se padho. This is the ‘hack’ you are looking for.
RIKEN ki application site pe ek line likhi hai: “We encourage you to contact your potential lab head(s) with your proposal describing what you want to do”.
Yeah, “encourage” Japanese code hai. Iska matlab “it’s a nice idea” nahi hai. Iska matlab hai, “this is the unofficial first step.”
The RIKEN summer program is “super competitive”. Ek student ne online share kiya ki woh 3rd-year undergrad tha, usne PIs (Principal Investigators/Professors) ko email bhi kiya, phir bhi reject ho gaya, noting that the program is “very grad, or even postdoc oriented”.
Iska matlab saaf hai: Ek ‘cold’ application (bina PI se baat kiye) seedhe rejection pile mein jaayegi, kyunki woh “specific” nahi hogi.
Toh aapko kya karna hai:
- Step 1: Application window khulne se pehlay (October/November mein), RIKEN CBS website par “labs which accept interns” ki list dekho. Unke recent research papers padho.
- Step 2: Ek short, professional email likho.
My Email Template (Use this!):
Subject: Inquiry for RIKEN CBS Summer Program (Plan A) –
Body:
“Dear Prof. [Lastname]”,
“My name is, and I am a at in India.
I have been following your lab’s research on and was deeply impressed by your recent paper, ”. My own interest lies in, and I believe I could contribute to your ongoing project on [Lab’s Project].
I have a specific idea for a 2-month summer project: [Aapka 2-sentence specific proposal yahaan].
I am preparing my application for the RIKEN CBS Summer Program (Plan A). Would you be open to a brief discussion about this, or perhaps suggest if this project aligns with your lab’s current goals?”
“Thank you for your time. I have attached my CV for your reference.”
This single step will put you in the top 10% of applicants.
The "Money Talk" (Finances for the Summer Program)
Sabse important sawaal: “Akash bhai, paisa kitna lagega?”
- The Good News: Agar aapka financial support request approve ho jaata hai, toh RIKEN provides “Round-trip airfare” and “Accommodation”. YES. Aapki flight ticket reimburse ho jaayegi aur aapka rehna free hoga.
- The Catch (Be Prepared!): There is “no salary supplement or support for food expenses”. Iska matlab, flight aur rehna free hai, but Tokyo mein khaane-peene ka aur local travel (metro, etc.) ka paisa aapko laana padega. So, pocket money leke aana.
The "Long Game" — Doing Your PhD at RIKEN
The Big Confusion (Solved!)
Sabse pehle, yeh clear kar lo: RIKEN is NOT a degree-granting institution. Aap RIKEN se PhD degree nahi le sakte. This is the biggest confusion.
Toh PhD kaise hoti hai? Through the Joint Graduate School Program.
- How it Works: Yeh ek collaboration hai. Aap ek partner university (jaise ki The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Waseda University, etc.) mein enroll hote ho.
- Aapko degree uss university se milti hai (e.g., PhD from The University of Tokyo).
- BUT… aap apna 100% research RIKEN mein karte ho, RIKEN ke lab mein, aur aapka supervisor ek RIKEN PI (Professor) hota hai (jo uss university mein visiting professor bhi hota hai).
- Toh, aapko ‘University of Tokyo’ ka brand milta hai aur ‘RIKEN’ ka world-class experience, facilities, aur mentorship. Best of both worlds!
How to Apply (The U.Tokyo Example)
Yeh process US/Europe se bilkul alag hai.
Ek student blog ke anusaar, “They don’t care about your GPA or GRE!”. Agar aapke undergrad years kharaab the, but you are good at research, “Japan might be your place”.
Toh real process kya hai?
- Step 1 (Mandatory): Contact the PI. Yeh optional nahi hai, yeh compulsory hai. Aapko RIKEN CBS ki list se ek PI choose karna hai jo partner university (like U.Tokyo) se affiliated ho, unhe email karna hai (using my template from above), aur unka consent lena hai ki woh aapko as a student accept karenge.
- Step 2: Pass the University Entrance Exam. Jab PI maan jaata hai, tab aapko uss university ka entrance exam clear karna hota hai. For the U.Tokyo program, one student reported a “3-hour written exam” (3 out of 26 problem sets) and a 12-minute interview.
- Step 3: Admission. Once you pass the exam and the PI has approved you, you’re in.
So, the strategy is: PI first, exam second. Not the other way around.
The Best Part — Getting PAID to Study (PhD Stipends)
Chalo, ab sabse ‘Indori’ sawaal: “Akash bhai, paisa milega kya?”
Yes. Aur achha milega.
Agar aap RIKEN mein as a graduate student (Joint Program ke through) aate hain, toh do main financial support programs hain.
1. JRA (Junior Research Associate)
- Who is it for? Students jo ek Japanese graduate school (like U.Tokyo) mein enrolled hain.
- What is it? Yeh ek part-time salary hai.
- How much? Approx. JPY 200,000 se 250,000 per month (tax included).
- Bonus: Commuting allowance (metro pass) bhi milta hai.
2. IPA (International Program Associate)
- Who is it for? Non-Japanese PhD candidates jo RIKEN ki partner universities (Japan mein ya overseas) se hain.
- What is it? Yeh ek stipend/allowance package hai.
- How much? Yeh broken down hai:
- Living Allowance: 5,200 JPY per day (yaani approx. 156,000 JPY per month).
- Housing: RIKEN aapka housing (rent) pay karta hai! Ya toh free on-campus housing ya phir 70,000 JPY/month tak ka apartment rent.
- Airfare: Ek round-trip ticket from your home country.
JRA ka cash-in-hand salary (250k JPY) zyada lagta hai, but IPA mein free housing hai. Tokyo mein ek apartment ka rent 70,000 JPY se start hota hai. So, IPA is an equally amazing deal, shayad zyada secure bhi. Dono hi best hain.
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Feature | JRA (Junior Research Associate) | IPA (International Program Associate) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Enrolled in a Japanese PhD program | Non-Japanese PhD candidate at a partner university |
| Compensation Type | Part-time Salary (taxable) | Allowance / Stipend Package |
| Amount (Monthly) | JPY 200,000 - 250,000 | JPY 5,200 / day (approx. 156,000 JPY) |
| Housing Support | Not included. (You pay from your salary) | INCLUDED. Free on-campus housing or rent up to 70,000 JPY/month |
| Other Benefits | Commuting allowance | One round-trip airfare |
Akash's Top 5 FAQs (Your Google Search Ends Here)
Main jaanta hoon, abhi bhi dimaag mein bahut sawaal honge. Let’s cover the top 5 questions I know you’re searching for.
1. Do I need to speak Japanese to work at RIKEN CBS?
Ekdum clear answer: NO. RIKEN CBS ka official language English hai. Sabhi research, seminars, aur meetings English mein hote hain. Admin support ke liye bhi bilingual staff hota hai.
- Akash’s Advice: BUT… while you don’t need it for the lab, you will need it for life. Lab ke bahar, supermarket mein, restaurant mein, life is much easier with basic Japanese. Toh seekhna shuru kar do. But for the application? English is 100% OK.
2. How hard is it really to get into the RIKEN Summer Program?
Bhai, this is RIKEN. It is “super competitive”. Ek 3rd-year undergrad ne (jisne PIs ko contact bhi kiya tha) share kiya ki woh reject ho gaya, aur yeh “very grad, or even postdoc oriented” program hai.
- Akash’s Advice: Don’t be discouraged. Iska matlab bas yeh hai ki aapki application, especially your ‘Project Description’, exceptional honi chahiye. This is why my ‘Pro-Tip’ about contacting the PI is not a tip—it’s essential.
3. What is the stipend for a PhD student at RIKEN?
Simple. Do main raaste hain. Agar aapko JRA milta hai, toh yeh ek salary hai approx. 200k-250k JPY/month. Agar aapko IPA milta hai, toh yeh ek allowance hai ~156k JPY/month plus aapka apartment rent RIKEN deta hai. Dono hi best hain.
4. Can I apply for both the internship (Plan A) and the lecture (Plan B)?
Yes! The application form clearly says you can choose “Both”. In fact, as an intern (Plan A), you must present a poster at the lecture course (Plan B) anyway.
- Akash’s Advice: Always select ‘Both’. You get the 2-month lab experience and the 5-day networking/lecture experience. Why choose?
5. Can I contact a RIKEN professor directly?
YES. And you MUST. PhD program ke liye, yeh exam se pehle ka required step hai.1 Summer Program (Plan A) ke liye, website “encourages” it, which basically means ‘you must do this to have a chance.’
- Akash’s Advice: Go back to Section 4 of this post. Read my email template. Be polite, be specific, and show them you’ve read their research. A good email is the key that unlocks the RIKEN door.
Your Japan Dream is Waiting
Yeh lo. Poora roadmap. I know, yeh bahut saare steps hain. But the best things in life are never easy. The reward is a chance to work at a world-class institute, in one of the best cities in the world (Tokyo), and get paid to do it.
Maine aapko raasta dikha diya hai. Now, the work is yours. Start reading those research papers, start drafting those emails.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with a friend who also has the Japan dream.
For more guides on life, work, and study in Japan, you know where to find me. And of course, check out my book ‘Japan is the place to be’ for the complete roadmap.
I genuinely hope to see you in Tokyo soon. Ganbatte! (Good luck!)
Regards,
Akash Gautam (Indori in Japan)
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