UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program (Click here for official information)

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, Amgen Scholars has expanded to additional world-class institutions in the U.S., Europe and Asia!

<UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program 2020 – Important Dates>

  – November 1, 2019: 2020 Program Online Application Open
– February 3, 2020 at 3:00 pm JST*: Application deadline 
(*Japan Standard Time=UTC+9:00)
  – Mid-March, 2020: Applicants notified of decision
  – June 8, 2020: Participants must have arrived in Tokyo by this date
  – June 9, 2020: UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program 2020 starts
  – August 3, 2020: Program ends

  – August 4/5, 2020: Move to Singapore
  – August 6-8, 2020: Amgen Scholars Asian Symposium in Singapore

UTokyo would like to express its appreciation to the Amgen Foundation for the generous support provided for this program.

About the Program

1) Program Description

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 experiences are being provided by faculty members of the Graduate School of MedicineGraduate School of EngineeringGraduate School of ScienceGraduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesGraduate 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:

  • Visits to Graduate Schools and Institutes related to biomedical research
  • Information sessions on how to apply to Graduate Schools at UTokyo
  • Special seminars and luncheons 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

2) Eligibility

UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program applicants must be undergraduate students who are:

  • Enrolled in colleges or universities worldwide 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
  • Are not graduating before the summer program begins, and after the summer program ends will resume undergraduate studies for at least 1 semester or 1 quarter

UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program applicants must also:

  • Have a strong record of academic performance; and
  • Have 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 English is not your first language, and
  • Have an interest in pursuing a Ph.D.

3) Requirements

  • To devote full effort in 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.
  • To attend the orientation on June 9, 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.

4) Schedules

Program and Symposium Date
UTokyo Amgen Scholars Program 2020 9 June, 2020 – 3 August, 2020
Move to Singapore 4/5 August, 2020
Amgen Scholars Asian Symposium in Singapore 6 – 8 August, 2020

5) Number of participants

  • About 15 students

6) Financial Support

  • ROOM:  Near-campus accommodation
  • STIPEND:  250,000 JPY

The stipend should be used freely to budget for food and any personal trips during your stay in Japan and so on.

  • TRAVEL COSTS:
       Economy-class airline tickets for flights, or round-trip train tickets for domestic students, will be provided to participate in the program and the Amgen Scholars Asia Symposium to be held in Singapore. The most economical and direct route and travel schedule will be stipulated based on the discussion between participants and the program office. If the schedule is changed for personal reasons of the participant, they will be required to repay the University of Tokyo the cost of the original booked flights.

*All students must arrange their own private health & travel insurance. Please be aware that neither the Amgen Foundation nor the University of Tokyo can provide health/travel insurance.

Contact Muhammad Fiji for guidance regarding Amgen Scholar & SPACE-E Saga University program.