The UTokyo Amgen Scholars 2026 Program: Your Complete Guide to a Fully-Funded Research Summer in Japan
皆さん、こんにちは！(Hello everyone!)
Hey everyone, Akash here!
Welcome to Indori in Japan. Every single week, my DMs and inboxes get flooded with questions from ambitious students just like you. The questions are always variations of the same theme: “Akash, I’m a student, I love science, and my dream is to go to Japan. How can I make it happen?”.
Well, today I am breaking down the “ultimate guide” for one of the most prestigious, game-changing opportunities available: The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) Amgen Scholars Program.
If you are an undergraduate student in science or engineering, this is your golden ticket. This isn’t just a trip; it’s an 8-week, fully-funded, intensive research program at one of the top universities in all of Asia. It’s your chance to step into the big leagues, conduct advanced research under world-class professors, and get a real taste of what a future in science looks like.3
But this is more than just a lab internship. It’s a 360-degree immersion. You’re not just a visiting student; you’re a scholar.
Here’s what the program is all about:
- Advanced Research: You’ll work full-time in a high-level lab, collaborating with tenured faculty, graduate students, and postdocs on a real research project.
- Academic Growth: You’ll attend special seminars, workshops, and discussions designed to broaden your scientific perspective.
- Cultural Immersion: The program includes Japanese language classes and cultural events to help you connect with Japan and your local peers.
- The Grand Finale: At the end of the 8 weeks, you will join the Amgen Scholars Asia Symposium. This is an all-expenses-paid conference where you’ll meet and network with scholars from the other host sites (like Kyoto University, National University of Singapore, and Tsinghua University), present your research, and hear from leading scientists in academia and industry.
This guide is the roadmap I wish I had. We’re going to cover everything—the money, the exact eligibility requirements, the complete application document list, and my personal senpai (senior) pro-tips to make your application stand out.
Your Japan dream starts here. Let’s get into it.
What's the "Deal"? A Full Breakdown of the Financial Support
Okay, let’s get to the question everyone asks first: “Akash, is it really fully-funded?”
The answer is clear and simple: Yes.
The Amgen Foundation and UTokyo understand that talent is global, and they remove the financial barriers so you can focus on the science. This program is not going to cost you. In fact, you’ll be paid.
Here is an exact breakdown of the financial support you will receive as an UTokyo Amgen Scholars 2026:
- Stipend: You will be provided a 280,000 JPY stipend. This is your money for the 8-week duration to cover food, daily life, and leisure.
- Travel: The program provides round-trip, economy-class airfare to Tokyo from your home country.
- Accommodation: You will be given a place to stay in an off-campus residence near the university, provided by the program.
- Commuting Costs: If your assigned lab is on a campus other than the main Hongo or Yayoi campuses, you will receive an additional travel allowance to cover that daily commute.
This package is incredibly generous. That 280,000 JPY for 8 weeks (about 57 days) breaks down to almost 5,000 JPY per day. For a student, that is more than enough to live comfortably, eat well, and explore Tokyo on the weekends.
Akash's Senpai Warning: The Two "Gotchas"
As your senpai, my job is to give you the real advice, including the parts people miss. There are two critical details you must know about the finances:
- Health Insurance is YOUR Responsibility: This is the big one. The official UTokyo page clearly states that all students must arrange their own private health and travel insurance. Neither the Amgen Foundation nor UTokyo will provide it. Do not fly to Japan without this. You must budget for and purchase a comprehensive policy before you leave your home country.
- The Stipend Covers Your Airport Transit: The 280,000 JPY stipend is also meant to cover your ground transportation, specifically “between your home and your departure airport, and between Narita or Haneda Airport and the residence in Tokyo”. This means your first expense in Japan (like the 3,200 JPY for the Narita Express) will come out of your stipend. So, budget accordingly!
To make it simple, here’s a quick summary table:
| Benefit | What It Covers | Key Details & Exclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Stipend | 280,000 JPY | Covers food, leisure, and local transport (including your airport-to-residence bus/train). |
| Travel | Round-trip economy airfare | The program office will book the most economical route for you. |
| Accommodation | Program-provided residence | Senpai Warning: You MUST purchase your own private health/travel insurance. |
| Health Insurance | NOT COVERED | Senpai Warning: You MUST purchase your own private health/travel insurance. |
The Golden Checklist: Are You Eligible for 2026?
This program is highly competitive, so before you spend hours on the application, let’s make sure you are eligible.
Here is your “Golden Checklist.” You must be able to say “YES” to all of these points.
- 1. Are you an undergraduate student in Asia?
You must be enrolled in a college or university within the Asia region that awards a bachelor’s degree. - 2. Are you in the right academic year?
This is the “sweet spot” and the most common point of confusion. You must:
- Have completed your first year of undergraduate study before the program begins in June 2026.
- AND… You must not be graduating. You must be returning to your home university for at least one semester after the program ends.
- Pro-Tip: This means the program is perfectly designed for second-year and third-year students. If you’re a first-year, bookmark this guide and apply next year. If you’re in your final year, this opportunity has passed, but check out my other guides for MEXT or Ph.D. programs in Japan!
- 3. Do you have a strong academic record?
The program looks for students with a “strong record of academic performance”. Notice they don’t say “perfect 4.0 GPA.” We’ll talk more about this in the FAQ. - 4. Are you serious about research?
This is the most important non-academic requirement. The program is specifically for students who have an “interest in pursuing a Ph.D.”. The entire goal is to foster the next generation of innovators. You must be able to show that this is a serious career path for you. - 5. Do you have good English proficiency?
The entire program—in the lab, in seminars—is conducted in English. You must prove you can keep up. You have two options for this:
- Option 1: Take a Test. Provide a score from TOEFL (iBT) 72+, IELTS 5.5+, TOEIC L&R 785+, etc.
- Option 2: The “Senpai Hack”. If you are a non-native English speaker but the “medium of education for their degree program IS primarily in English” (which applies to many universities in India, Singapore, the Philippines, etc.), you don’t need a test! You just need to get “a letter from home university, a copy of an official document, or a copy of an official webpage” UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO stating this. This can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of stress.
If you ticked all those boxes, congratulations! You are eligible to apply.
Your 2026 Application Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Guide
This is your main “roadmap”.1 Follow these steps, and you’ll navigate the process perfectly.
Part 1: Mark Your 2026 Calendar (The Deadlines)
This is non-negotiable. Put these in your calendar right now.
- Applications Open: November 1, 2025
- Applications Close: February 1, 2026, at 3:00 PM Japan Standard Time (JST)
- Program Dates: June 4, 2026 – August 6, 2026
- Asia Symposium: Immediately follows the program (e.g., Aug 7-9, TBD).
- Create an account on TAO application portal
Pro-Tip: The 3:00 PM JST deadline is not a suggestion. Don’t be the person who misses the deadline because of a time-zone miscalculation. 3:00 PM JST is 11:30 AM in India (IST).
Part 2: Choose Your Lab (And the “Cardinal Sin” to Avoid)
This is the most strategic part of your application. You will be applying to one specific research project.
UTokyo has a designated list of participating host professors, their labs, and their specific research topics. These labs come from the top graduate schools:
- Graduate School of Medicine
- Graduate School of Engineering
- Graduate School of Science
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- …and more.
You must review the official 2026 list (when it’s released) and choose the one project that best fits your background and your Ph.D. goals. Your entire application—your CV and your Statement of Purpose—will be a focused argument for why you are the perfect fit for that one lab.
Akash’s BIGGEST Senpai Warning!!
For many Japanese scholarships (like MEXT or RIKEN), the first step is to email a professor.
For the UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program, this is the OPPOSITE.
The official UTokyo guidelines are explicit: “You must not contact host professors and laboratories directly.”
Let me repeat this so it sinks in. DO NOT EMAIL THE PROFESSOR. This is not the time to be “proactive.” Contacting a professor directly will likely get your application disqualified immediately. Your application is to the program, and the selection committee will review it. Trust the process.
Part 3: Gather Your Application Toolkit (The Document Checklist)
All your documents must be uploaded to the official online application system, known as TAO (The Admissions Office). They will not accept documents by email.
Here is your checklist. Start gathering these now.
| Document | Format | Akash's Pro-Tip (The "Why") |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait Photo | JPEG | Pro-Tip: "Passport-style, not a selfie". This is for your official ID if you are accepted. Look professional. |
| Passport/ID | Pro-Tip: Scan the ID page of your passport. Check the expiration date! Make sure it's valid for at least 6 months after the program ends. | |
| Academic Transcript | Pro-Tip: Must be the official English version from your university. Scan all pages, including the back. | |
| Proof of English | Pro-Tip: Use the "Senpai Hack" (Option 2) if you can. Get that official letter from your university stating English is the medium of instruction. | |
| Latest CV | Pro-Tip: This is not a normal CV. The application specifies it's for "in-depth descriptions" with a "maximum 500 words". We'll cover this in the next section. | |
| Letters of Rec (x2) | Pro-Tip: This is the most critical part. Your professors upload this directly to the TAO system. You must start this process today. | |
| Statement of Purpose | (in-system) | Pro-Tip: This is where you connect your Ph.D. dream to the one lab you chose. This is your most important document. |
Akash's Pro-Tips: How to Make Your Application Stand Out
Okay, you have the facts. Now for the strategy. This is how you go from being just “eligible” to being “selected.”
Pro-Tip 1: Master the "Application Killer" — The Recommendation Letter Trap
As your senpai, this is my single most important piece of advice.
The UTokyo TAO system has a “trap” that kills hundreds of applications every year. The system “will not allow applicants to complete their application until two recommendation letters are submitted”.
Read that again.
This means you can have your entire application, your perfect SOP, your CV, all 100% ready to go… but if your professor is on vacation and hasn’t uploaded their letter, you cannot click the “Submit” button.
You cannot submit your part and have the letters added later. They must be in the system before you can finalise your application.
Your Strategy:
- Ask NOW. Start talking to two professors this week. One must be a faculty member who knows you well.
- Give a FAKE Deadline. The real deadline is Feb 1, 2026. Tell your professors you need their letter uploaded by January 15, 2026. This gives you a two-week buffer for friendly reminders.
- Be Professional. When you ask, send them a single email with:
- The link to the program.
- The (fake) deadline.
- A copy of your CV and your draft Statement of Purpose, so they can write a strong, specific letter.
Your entire future in this program depends on two other people clicking “upload” on time. Manage them professionally.
Pro-Tip 2: Your CV is a 500-Word Project Narrative, Not a Resume
People get confused by the 500-word CV requirement. Don’t be. This is a gift.
Don’t just list:
- “Research Assistant, XYZ Lab (June 2024 – Aug 2024)”
Use the 500 words to tell a story.
- “As a Research Assistant in the XYZ Lab, I was responsible for [task]. I used [methodology/skill] to analyse [data/subject], which resulted in [outcome]. This experience directly cultivated my interest in…”
This document is your chance to provide “in-depth descriptions” that show you didn’t just do the work, you understood it. Connect every project you list to the one UTokyo lab you are applying to.
Pro-Tip 3: Your SOP Must Answer "Why This One Lab?"
Your Statement of Purpose (SOP) is your only chance to talk to the selection committee. It must be a laser-focused argument that connects three things:
- Your Past (Your CV/Transcript)
- Your Future (Your Ph.D. Interest)
- The Present (The UTokyo Amgen Program)
Here is a simple, effective structure:
- Paragraph 1: The “What”. Introduce your passion. “My core research interest is specifically how can solve [Problem].”
- Paragraph 2: The “Proof”. Show you’ve already worked on it. “I built a foundation in this field during my [Project/Class from your CV]. This is where I learned…”
- Paragraph 3: The “Bridge”. This is the most important part. Connect your past to their lab. “Professor’s work on 5 is the clear next step for me. My experience will allow me to contribute directly to, while learning from their lab…”
- Paragraph 4: The “Future”. Re-state your Ph.D. goal. “This 8-week experience will be the cornerstone of my Ph.D. application in [Field]. I am confident I can be a valuable contributor to the UTokyo Amgen program and a future leader in my field.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I apply to both the UTokyo and Kyoto Amgen programs?
-
Straight Answer: Yes, you can. The Amgen Scholars Program allows you to apply to multiple institutions. However, each program (UTokyo, Kyoto, Singapore) has a completely separate application. You must submit a full, new application for each one, and you should tailor your SOP to a specific lab at each university.
- Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
-
Straight Answer: No. The official requirement is a “strong record of academic performance”. There is no minimum GPA listed. This means the review is holistic. A B-grade in a history class won’t kill your application if you have A-grades in all your biology and chemistry courses and a great research experience. Focus on your relevant strengths.
- I am a first-year student. Am I eligible?
-
Straight Answer: No. The rules are clear: you must have completed your first year of study before the program begins in June 2026. If you are in your first year now (2025-2026), you are the perfect candidate to apply next year. Use this year to get some research experience and build a strong relationship with a professor for a recommendation letter.
- Do I need to speak fluent Japanese?
-
Straight Answer: No. The entire program is conducted in English. That’s why the English proficiency proof is required. However, the program does offer Japanese language classes as a bonus, which is an amazing opportunity to learn the basics and enjoy your life in Tokyo even more!
- The program dates (June 4 – Aug 6, 2026) conflict with my university’s exams. Can I arrive late or leave early?
-
Straight Answer: No. This is 100% non-negotiable. The UTokyo FAQ is very clear: “The 8-week program schedule is fixed… Full participation in both the Program and the Asia Symposium is required.” If you cannot commit to the entire duration, you should not apply.
Final Words: Your Japan Dream Starts Now
This is it. This is the roadmap.
The UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program is a life-changing opportunity. It’s a chance to live in Tokyo, to work in world-class labs, to launch your global scientific career, and to make your Japan dream a reality.
But that dream won’t happen by itself. The application window opens on November 1, 2025. That may seem far away, but you need to start now.
Start talking to your professors for those recommendation letters today.
Start drafting your SOP this week.
Start researching the labs and finding your “why” this weekend.
You have the guide. You have the strategy. You can do this.
As always, if you have questions, drop them in the comments below or join our ‘Indori in Japan’ community.
Good luck, and I hope to see you in Japan.
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