A programme allowing doctoral candidates to carry out their PhD research at RIKEN, Japan's national research institute, under the supervision of RIKEN scientists. Appointments typically run one to three years. Support includes round-trip airfare, a daily living allowance, free on-campus housing or a monthly rent subsidy for off-campus accommodation, and accident insurance. Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme at a Japanese or overseas university that holds a joint graduate school partnership with RIKEN; more than 40 overseas institutions participate. Overseas applications are accepted twice a year.