The R-IH Summer Program Internship 2025 is a prestigious fully funded research internship hosted by the Guardian Robot Project (GRP) at RIKEN, one of Japan’s leading research institutions. This program is designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students from around the world an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge robotics research. The internship fosters the development of future researchers dedicated to robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation by integrating interns into GRP research teams in Kyoto, Japan.
The program offers two internship types: the Long Stay Program (Type A), spanning nearly two months, and the Short Stay Program (Type B), lasting one month. Participants will gain practical research experience, collaborate with experts, and present their findings at the end of the program. Accommodation, travel expenses, and a generous daily allowance are covered by RIKEN, ensuring a fully funded research experience in Japan.
Quick Overview of R-IH Summer Program Internship 2025
- Host Country: Japan
- Host Institution: RIKEN Guardian Robot Project (Kyoto)
- Application Deadline: March 24, 2025 (15:00 JST)
- Internship Duration:
- Type A (Long Stay): July 24 – September 19, 2025
- Type B (Short Stay): August 21 – September 19, 2025
- Value: Fully funded (stipend, accommodation, airfare, and research expenses)
- Eligibility: Open to international and domestic undergraduate/graduate students
Perks of the Fully Funded Summer Internships in Japan 2025
- One round-trip airfare or Shinkansen fare (based on location and distance)
- Accommodation expenses of JPY 11,100 per day
- Daily allowance of JPY 2,400 for living expenses
- Total financial coverage of JPY 393,900 for the first month and 90% of the full amount (JPY 354,510) for the second month (Type A students only)
- Participation in groundbreaking robotics research projects
- Networking with leading researchers and professionals in the field
- Final research presentation on September 12, 2025
Benefits of the Summer Internships Program for international Students 2025
- Work on cutting-edge projects in robotics, AI, and automation.
- Enhance skills in robotics R&D, research methodology, and problem-solving.
- Gain insights from top researchers at RIKEN’s Guardian Robot Project.
- Travel, accommodation, and daily expenses are covered.
- Connect with like-minded peers and experts in the field.
- Live and study in Kyoto, Japan, a city known for its innovation and tradition.
Eligibility Criteria of the R-IH Summer Program Internship 2025
- Open to undergraduate and graduate students (both in Japan and overseas).
- Applicants must be enrolled in an academic institution throughout the internship period.
- Applicants must belong to a university whose head (or a delegated official) can issue a formal letter of request and agreement on behalf of the applicant.
- Not eligible: Students from universities that have collaborative research agreements with GRP, including Kyoto University, Doshisha University, and Nara Institute of Science and Technology.
- Must be able to work full-time on RIKEN workdays (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:20 PM).
- Proficiency in English or Japanese (depending on research team requirements).
Important Dates of the RIKEN Internships in Kyoto, Japan 2025
- Application Deadline: March 24, 2025 (15:00 JST)
- Application Screening: Late March – Early April 2025
- Interview for Shortlisted Candidates: Early April 2025
- Final Selection Announcement: April 2025
- Internship Duration:
- Type A: July 24 – September 19, 2025
- Type B: August 21 – September 19, 2025
- Final Presentation Date: September 12, 2025
How to Apply to the Guardian Robot Project Internships at RIKEN 2025
- Prepare Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) in RIKEN format (download from RIKEN website)
- Motivation Letter (free format, must specify research team preference, research theme, and selected program type: A or B)
- Research Achievement Summary (if applicable)
- Send all documents via email to robotics-info[at]ml.riken.jp (replace [at] with @)
- Deadline: March 24, 2025, 15:00 JST
- Applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a web interview.
- Successful candidates will be notified in April 2025.
Required Documents for the R-IH Summer Program Internship 2025
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – RIKEN format
- Motivation Letter (indicating research team preference, research theme, and program type A or B)
- Research Achievement Summary (optional, but recommended for those with prior research experience)
Program Structure and Research Opportunities During the Fully Funded Robotics Internships
The internship structure varies based on the research team you join. Interns will:
- Engage in Robotics Research – Work on active projects with RIKEN’s Guardian Robot Project.
- Collaborate with Experts – Learn from industry-leading professionals.
- Attend Research Meetings and Workshops – Gain insights into cutting-edge technologies.
- Conduct a Final Presentation – Share research progress and findings on September 12, 2025.
Financial Support Details for the Fully Funded Internships
- Airfare: One round-trip ticket or Shinkansen fare (based on location).
- Accommodation Fee: JPY 11,100 per day.
- Daily Allowance: JPY 2,400 per day.
- Total Funding (1st Month): JPY 393,900 (full coverage for 30 days).
- Total Funding (2nd Month, Type A): JPY 354,510 (90% of full coverage).
- Reimbursement Process:
- The committee processes the first reimbursement after the first month.
- The committee processes the second reimbursement for Type A students after the second month.
- International students should cover initial expenses before receiving reimbursement.
- Local Students (within 50 km of RIKEN): Will receive commuting expenses only.
Additional Information about the Japan Research Internships
- Interns must arrange their own accommodation (RIKEN will reimburse accommodation fees according to policy).
- Transportation expenses between accommodation and RIKEN must be covered by the daily allowance.
- No self-arranged flight bookings – RIKEN will provide instructions for international airfare bookings.
For further inquiries, visit the official Riken website.
