The University of Tokyo

Online Application Opens	November 1, 2024
Online Application Closes	February 1, 2025 3PM JST (Japan Standard Time=UTC+9)
UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program 2025	June 5, 2025 - August 7, 2025

Program Overview

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1) Program Description

The Amgen Scholars Program provides hundreds of undergraduates each year with the opportunity to undertake scientific research projects at many of the world's leading institutions. Launched in 2006 in the United States, 2008 in Europe, and 2015 in Japan at the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, the Amgen Scholars has expanded to additional world-class institutions in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

The objective of the program is to provide undergraduate students from different countries (including some from Japan) who are committed to or who are considering a career in biology or related sciences and looking to continue to graduate studies, with eight weeks of biomedical research experience in the basic and translational sciences.
Research opportunities will be provided by faculty members of the Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of Engineering, Graduate School of Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the Institute of Industrial Science.
By the end of their summer experience, students are expected to acquire knowledge and skills for conducting research. The students are also expected to extend their international friendship through the collaborative experiences. These experiences will help the students to develop future collaborations in many situations.

In addition to working full time in the laboratory for 8 weeks, the program features:

Special seminars and sessions where students can meet and have discussions
Access to UTokyo campus facilities such as the Library, Health Care Center, and Gymnasium
Japanese cultural events
Excursions etc.

2) Schedule

Program and Symposium	Date*
Check-in at Residence	June 4, 2025
UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program 2025	June 5, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Travel to Kyoto	August 4, 2025
Amgen Scholars Asia Symposium 2025 at Kyoto University	August 5 - 7, 2025

*Subject to change
*Full participation throughout the specified period is mandatory; however, exceptions can be considered for reasons related to events organized by the affiliated university or faculty based in Japan. If applicable, please specify so in the last paragraph of your Statement of Purpose in your application.

3) Number of Admission

- About 10

4) Financial Support

-  Accommodation: Near Hongo Campus, provided by UTokyo.
Please check your research location as some labs are not located in Hongo and commuting by train may be required.

-  Stipend: 270,000 JPY
The stipend can be used freely to budget for food and any personal trips during your stay in Japan.

-  Travel Cost:
Economy-class airfare to Tokyo, or round-trip train tickets for domestic students, will be provided for program participation.
The most economical route and schedule will be determined through discussions between participants and the program office.
If the schedule is changed due to personal reasons, participants will be required to reimburse the University of Tokyo for the cost of initially arranged airfares.

*All students must arrange their own private health and travel insurance.
Please be aware that neither the Amgen Foundation nor the University of Tokyo can provide health/travel insurance.
*Travel allowances will be provided for those who commute to campuses other than Hongo and Yayoi.

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Eligibility & Expectation

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1) Eligibility

UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program (hereby referred to as the summer program) applicants must be undergraduate students who are:
- Attending colleges or universities across the Asia region* that award a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent); and
- At the minimum, have completed their first year of undergraduate study at the time the summer program begins, and
- Not graduating before the summer program begins, and will resume undergraduate studies for at least 1 semester or 1 quarter after the summer program ends

UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program applicants must also:
- Have a strong record of academic performance; and
- Have a good working knowledge of English, demonstrated by a minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 72,
IELTS overall band score of 5.5, Cambridge English FCE, TOEIC score of 1095, TOEIC L&R score of 785,
or TOEIC S&W score of 310, if not a native English speaker or if English is not their first language, and
- Have an interest in pursuing a Ph.D.

*For a list of eligible countries, please check the Eligibility section of the Amgen Scholars Program webpage: https://amgenscholars.com/asia-program/

2) Expectation

- To devote full effort to participation in the Amgen Scholars Program. Scholars cannot take any courses or hold a job throughout the duration of the program.
  In addition, all participants must be able to attend the program for its entire duration.
- To live in the accommodation provided by UTokyo.
- To participate fully in the day-to-day life of the research group, respect the work of all members of the laboratory, and attend and participate in laboratory
  meetings or other gatherings.
  However, for students based in Japan, we are open to discussions and considerations based on events or commitments related to their affiliated university or department.
- To attend the orientation on the first day of the program, all required conferences, activities and social events.
- To give a poster/presentation describing his/her summer research project.
- To submit a research paper to the UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program Director at the conclusion of the program.

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Host Labs and Project Topics

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- Clicking on the names of the supervisors will take you to the details of the project topics and requirements.
- Please choose ONE project topic for your application.
- Access to each campus: Hongo/Yayoi, Komaba Tanashi
* Please note that the Komaba II Campus and Tanashi Campus requires an hour commute by train each way.

Graduate School / Institute	Host Professor	Research Topic	Area of Research
Graduate School of Medicine	Haruhiko BITO	1. Molecular and circuit mechanisms of long-term memory 2. Imaging analysis of cortical information processing	Neuroscience Neurobiology Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
	Meng Ling MOI	Development of next-generation vaccines and diagnostics for neglected tropical viral diseases through basic virology and immunology research	Microbiology Immunology Molecular Medicine
	Yasushi OKADA	Application of advanced optical microscope technologies such as super-resolution live cell imaging or single-molecule imaging	Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Neurobiology Biotechnology
Graduate School of Engineering	Horacio CABRAL	Development of Polymeric Nanocarriers for Targeted Gene Editing Applications	Bioengineering Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Biotechnology
	Akimitsu OKAMOTO	How are our bodies created from atoms and molecules?	Chemistry Biochemistry Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
	Kazuhiro TAKANABE	Sustainable production of hydrogen using renewable energy sources	Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Graduate School of Science	Keisuke GODA	Developing innovative tools for molecular imaging and spectroscopy by integrating photonics, nanotechnology, microfluidics, and data science.	Biochemistry Bioinformatics Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Graduate School of Science	Yasushi OKADA	Development and application of new optical microscope for super-resolution or single-molecule imaging in living cells or in vitro.	Biotechnology Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Neurobiology
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences	Yasuyuki GOTO	Immune responses against parasite infection	Immunology Microbiology Pathology
	Naoyuki KATAOKA	Analyses of aberrant splicing mechanism found in genetic diseases in human and animals	Biochemistry Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Molecular Medicine
	Koji NAGATA	Food Biotechnology and Structural Biology 1. Structural analysis and/or functional evaluation of food components 2. Protein expression, purification and crystallization	Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biotechnology
	Keitaro TANOI	Mutagenesis of Fluorescent Proteins	Biotechnology Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Microbiology
	Daisuke TSUGAMA	Crop genome editing with new tools	Biology Bioengineering Biotechnology
Institute of Industrial Science	Tsuyoshi MINAMI	1. Chemical Sensors based on Organic Thin Film Transistors Functionalized with Molecular Recognition Materials 2. High-throughput Analysis based on Supramolecular Sensor Arrays	Biochemistry Biotechnology Chemistry

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Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 at 3PM (JST)

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*Usage of Artificial Intelligence*
Preparing your application documents is the first step towards your study at UTokyo. In doing so, you will think about what to study there and imagine what the experience may mean to you. In fact, this is indispensable to a successful UTokyo life. The recent development of generative artificial intelligence has made it possible to generate essays with a simple command. However, you should not rely on such technology in preparing your application. Instead, it is important that you write about yourself in your own words.
For the statement on this issued by the Amgen Scholars Program, please refer to No. 25 in the Q&A section. https://amgenscholars.com/asia-program/

Application Steps

- All applications must be submitted through the designated online application system, The Admissions Office (hereinafter TAO). Any documents sent via email will be discarded and deleted for security purposes.
- Once you submit your application, you cannot make any changes.
- Please regularly check your registered email and the application status on TAO, as we may contact you regarding your application.
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted in the middle to late March of 2025. Once candidates are confirmed, application status will be updated on TAO. Feedback on screening status and admission decisions will not be made.

Step 1. Create an Account and Start Your Application

To initiate your application, please create a TAO account by clicking on "Account registration." The account name should match the legal name in the alphabet as written on your passport or travel document issued by the government. You can create an account on https://admissions-office.net/en/applicant/sign_up

Once your account is created, ensure the language is set to English and search for the application page for the UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program.
(TAO Home> The University of Tokyo> Center for Global Education> UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program)
Click on "Start my application" to proceed. To check your Application ID or its status, click on "Applications" in the top menu tab.

Below is a list of Attachments you will be requested to upload through TAO. Please submit the files without encryption.

	Type of document	Format	Instructions
1	Portrait photo	JPEG	Note that your full face should be visible in the photo, and it should be taken from the front with your eyes open. (Same rules as passport photos, 45 x 35mm) This photo should not be a "selfie", as it will be used as your profile photo if your application is successful.
2	Personal Identification	PDF	Scan the ID page of your passport or travel document issued by the government. Alternatively, a valid student ID or a national ID can be accepted.
3	Academic Transcript	PDF	Obtain an official academic transcript in English and scan all pages including back pages and notations.
4	Proof of English proficiency	PDF	If you are not a native English speaker or if English is not your first language, please follow the instructions below. Option 1: Non-native speakers from institutions where the medium of education for their degree program is NOT English; must submit a valid proficiency test score as listed in the Eligibility & Requirements section above. Option 2: Non-native speakers from institutions where the medium of education for their degree program IS primarily in English; must submit a valid proficiency test score as listed in the Eligibility & Requirements section above. Alternatively, a letter from home university, a copy of an official document, or a copy of official webpage specifying that the medium of education for their degree program is primarily in English will be accepted. * English proficiency test scores must be within the validity period set by each test. * TOEFL ITP is not accepted as a proficiency test score
5	Latest CV	PDF	Elaborate in-depth descriptions of any work experience, responsibilities or projects relevant to your field of study. (Max. 500 words)
6	Letters of Recommendation	PDF	Submitted through TAO, by two referees. See Step 2 below.

Step 2: Request Recommendation Letters

<IMPORTANT>
- The system will not allow applicants to complete their application until two recommendation letters are submitted. For this reason, we highly suggest that applicants make the request at the earliest possible time for a smooth completion of the application.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to follow up with referees and ensure that their recommendations letters are submitted prior to the deadline. This will provide sufficient time for the applicant to finalize and submit their application before the deadline. Please note that the request email sent from TAO to referees will state that the deadline is 01-02-2025 15:00 (JST) however, this is the deadline for the applicants, not the referees.
- Once the letter of recommendation is submitted successfully, the applican will receive an automated notification per recommendation letter.

Applicants are required to nominate two (2) referees to provide letters of recommendation, one of whom must be a faculty member at your current institution familiar with your educational background, academic performance, and motivation for attending the 2025 Program.

<Instructions to applicants>

1. Notify your referees in advance that you will nominate them as referees for the UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program 2025.
Having this step will ensure that they will not overlook an e-mail notification sent via TAO.
2. In the "Letter of Recommendation" section of your application, click "Request" in the top right corner, and enter the referees' information.
3. An email notification will be sent to the referees immediately after you make the request.
This e-mail title will start with [The Admissions Office] and sent from <no-reply@admissions-office.net>.
4. Referees are requested to create a TAO account as "Recommenders/Requestees".
5. Referees are requested to enter their information such as name, position title, affiliated university, relationship with the applicant, and then upload their letters.
6. Click on "Save" then "Submit" to complete the process; the status on the applicant's application will then change to "Submitted".
If your status remains "Not Submitted", it is possible that the referees has not clicked on the final "Submit" button.
7. Once they complete their submissions, you will receive a notification by e-mail.

<Instructions to referees>
There is no specific format for the letter of recommendation, but it should;
- Be on a departmental or university letterheaded paper, if written by a faculty member
- Include full name of the applicant
- Be signed with date by the referee

Referees are expected to address:
- In what capacity and for how long have you known the applicant?
- How would you evaluate the applicant's academic and research performance based on your previous experience working with them?
- How would you rate the applicant’s potential to successfully conduct and complete an independent research project?
- To your knowledge, what is the applicant’s commitment to a career in science?
- Any additional comments about the applicant.

Step 3: Complete Application

You can save and continue your application as you progress, but once submitted, no changes can be made, and no exemptions will be granted. Upon completion of your submission, the application status will change from “Application in progress” to “Application completed”.

Applications will be screened from February to mid-March. Application results will be notified via TAO, and other communications regarding your application will be sent to your registered e-mail.

<Note>
- By creating an account on TAO, you agree to the "Terms of Use" and "Handling of Personal Information" provided by Samadhi Co., Ltd., the service provider for TAO.
- The Program Office of the UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program will not be responsible for any consequences resulting from applicants' failure to receive, read,
and/or reply to messages sent from our office, as well as any malfunctions of networks, PCs, or other devices that may prevent applicants from submitting applications in time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Participation in the Program

Q1. Would the Program be flexible on the starting/ending dates to accommodate some slight conflict of schedule?: A1. No. The 8-week program schedule is fixed as stated above. Full participation in both the Program and the Asia Symposium is required.
Q2. I need a visa to enter Japan. Will UTokyo assist with this?: A2. Yes. UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program will assist successful applicants with this process. If you are required to obtain a visa, please let us know as soon as you find out your application. You will need to apply for the visa immediately to ensure your particiapation in the Program. For more information, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Application/ Screening Process

Q3. Are the decisions made continuously until the deadline (i.e. rolling admissions) or after the deadline all together?: A3. Our admission is not on a rolling basis, and the selection begins after the application period.
Q4. Should I upload both the original and the English translations of my transcripts?: A4. Yes, if your transcripts are in a language other than English, they must be translated into English. The translation must be provided by the issuing university.
Q5. Can I submit an unofficial transcript, or do I need to submit an official transcript (i.e., printed and signed by the university registrar)?: A5. Only official transcripts from the university are accepted. If the original language of the transcript is not English, it must be provided in English.
Q6. My university uses an electronic academic transcript service, which issues official online transcripts as a substitute for paper ones. Would it be acceptable for me to attach this transcript to my application?: A6. Yes. Please upload its PDF format to your application page.
Q7. Is there a specific format required for the recommendation letter(s)?: A7. No, there is no specific format for the reference letter(s). The only requirements are that the letter is issued by a faculty member of your current institution and is written on the school's letterhead.

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