2026 CIMR Biomedical Summer Program
The Chinese Institutes for Medical Research (CIMR), Beijing
Job Details
CIMR boasts a truly international faculty, with members hailing from across the globe, including native English speakers and commitments from students at top institutions like MIT ensure a globally competitive environment.
Dual research and clinical tracks cater to students exploring PhD, MD, and MD/PhD pathways, with hands-on experience in advanced labs and top-tier hospitals.
Access to China’s leading medical infrastructure, including innovative medical devices and clinical trials at CCMU’s hospitals, a hub of medical advancement in Asia.
Cultural immersion in Beijing, with proximity to landmarks like the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
Program Highlights
Study with Top Talents: Join peers from top-tier global institutions for a first-class biomedical summer journey.
Witness Leading-Edge Clinical Practice: Explore over 20 affiliated hospitals of Capital Medical University, gaining firsthand exposure to China’s leading medical technologies and clinical trials.
Expand Your Global Network: Immerse yourself in a fully English-speaking research setting featuring international faculty and collaborative peers from China and abroad.
Choose Your Research Track: Customize your experience with dual tracks in clinical practice and basic biomedical research, paving the way for your next step toward a PhD, MD, or MD-PhD.
Experience a Premier Research Environment: Gain hands on experience with the best research equipment and cutting-edge platforms in science from worldwide leaders in research and their highly skilled and talented teams.
Explore Beijing’s Culture: Discover Beijing’s iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, connect with local peers, and immerse yourself in the richness of Chinese culture.
A combination of research and clinical experiences including
Research Internship: Conduct projects under CIMR faculty mentorship using advanced core facilities (flow cytometry, single-cell sequencing, imaging, etc.). Faculty trained at world-class institutions like Duke, Scripps, Harvard, and Max Planck Institutes.
Clinical Internship: Shadow experienced CCMU physicians, participate in clinical trials, and explore cutting-edge medical technologies.
- Each international student will be paired with one CIMR postdoctoral fellow or graduate student for lab and cultural guidance.
- Fully English-language program fostering global collaboration.
- Stipend covering travel, housing, and meals.
- Cultural excursions to Beijing’s historical sites and biotech innovation parks.
Overview
Theme: A world-class, English-language program offering biomedical research and clinical exposure to foster global collaboration, career development and cross-cultural engagement.
Time:
June 15－July 31, 2026
June 2026: Student arrival, orientation, lab/clinical assignments.
June－July 2026: Research projects, clinical rotations, weekly seminars, cultural excursions.
Late July 2026: Final presentations and closing ceremony.
Location: CIMR, Beijing, China, with access to CCMU’s 20+ hospitals.
Why CIMR
CIMR boasts a truly international faculty, with members hailing from across the globe, including native English speakers and commitments from students at top institutions like MIT ensure a globally competitive environment.
Dual research and clinical tracks cater to students exploring PhD, MD, and MD/PhD pathways, with hands-on experience in advanced labs and top-tier hospitals.
Access to China’s leading medical infrastructure, including innovative medical devices and clinical trials at CCMU’s hospitals, a hub of medical advancement in Asia.
Cultural immersion in Beijing, with proximity to landmarks like the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
Courses & Activities
Weekly Seminars
Featuring presentations on CIMR research projects by faculty members.
Hands-on Workshops
Designed for participants with no prior lab experience.
Site Visits & Excursions
Tours of affiliated hospitals.
Visits to innovative Chinese companies in the biomedical sector.
Cultural excursions to iconic sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
Learning Outcomes
Acquire hands-on research skills in advanced biomedical labs, preparing for PhD programs.
Gain clinical exposure to support MD program applications.
Understand China’s biomedical and clinical landscape, including its technological advancements.
Develop intercultural and English-language communication skills in a collaborative research setting.
Educational Structure and Certification
Certificate of Completion:
Jointly issued by CIMR and Capital Medical University, in both English and Chinese.
Optional Academic Credit or Transcript Letter:
CIMR may provide an official transcript letter allowing students’ home universities to recognize their participation for academic credit
Application
Eligibility & How to Apply
Eligibility: Undergraduate and masters students (science or pre-med) from top Chinese and global institutions, conversational English required.
Application: Please place all the materials in one folder, zip it, and send the package to [email protected].
Name the folder as “Your Name + Institution“.
- Curriculum Vitae (PDF format, listing publications if any)
- Academic Transcript (Photocopy with official stamp)
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Personal Statement (Describe academic background, research interests, motivation, career goals, and unique contributions (500－800 words)
- Proof of English Proficiency (For non-native speakers: TOEFL/GRE/IELTS or equivalent)
- Completed Application Form (Official form see attachment)
Deadline: January 31st, 2026
Visa Support
CIMR will provide invitation letters and visa application guidance for international students.
Fees & Scholarships
Fully funded program with stipends covering travel, housing, and meals.
Contact Us
Location: 10 Xitoutiao, Youanmen Wai, Fengtai District, Beijing 100069, China
Email: [email protected]
FAQ
Q: What language will be used during the program?
A: English. All application material will be required to be submitted in English. All sessions during the program will be taught exclusively in English. This ensures that students from diverse linguistic backgrounds can participate in and benefit from the program without any language barriers.
Q: When is the deadline of application?
A: For international and domestic students, the application deadline is Jan 31st , 2026 at 24:00 Beijing time (CST).
Q: When I will be notified for my application results?
A: The application results will be sent out by Feb 15th.
Q: What expenses are covered by the program?
A: No application or tuition fee. Daily meals and accommodation will be provided during the program. CIMR will reimburse economy class seat flight tickets for international students (up to $2000/$1500) and domestic students (up to $500).
Q: What expenses are not covered by the program?
A: If accepted, you will be responsible for your own Chinese visa application fees. Any additional personal expenses and purchases while in China are not covered.
Q: Do I need to apply for a visa to participate BioSP program (for non-Chinese students)?
A: Yes, if accepted, CIMR will issue you with an invitation letter for visa application purposes and will provide guidelines on your visa application to enter China. All international students (non-Chinese) will need a valid Chinese visa to enter China, unless your country is listed on China’s visa-free list of countries. You must bring your invitation letter, along with the materials that your local Chinese visa service center requires, to the appointment. Depending on your country of application, there may be limited appointment slots in certain period of time, so we strongly recommend you start the visa application ASAP if accepted. Students are responsible for their own Chinese visa application fees. To see Chinese visa application service centers in your country or region, please visit https://www.visaforchina.cn/VIE3_EN/qianzhengyewu
Q: Will my phone work in China?
A: Most carriers offer international plans; WeChat setup is recommended for communication and payments.
Q: How do I get to Beijing and CIMR campus?
A: Travelling from within China: students travelling from within China are responsible for arranging their own ticket bookings and transportation to CCMU Campus. CIMR will reimburse domestic students for railway or flight seats between domestic cities. Travelling from outside of China: students travelling from outside of China are responsible for arranging their own ticket bookings and flights in accordance with reimbursement guidelines (economy class flight tickets reimbursement up to 15,000 RMB for international students). These guidelines and further travel-related information will be sent to you if you are accepted into the program.
Q: What happens before I arrive?
A: A virtual session will be conducted two weeks before the program start date to brief students on travel, safety, and lab expectations.
Q: Where will I stay during the program?
A: On-campus CCMU or nearby housing arranged by CIMR
Q: How are meals handled?
A: All meals are covered—simply use the campus card provided at any CCMU dining hall; no extra payment is needed.
Q: Is Beijing safe for international students?
A: Yes. CIMR assigns dedicated staff and graduate student reps to accompany you 24/7, and Beijing offers safety and robust support for foreign visitors.
Q: Do I have Insurance coverage during my stay in China?
A: CIMR will provide personal accident and short-term health insurance for all students.
Q: What will I get when I land in Beijing?
A: Upon arrival, provide each student with a welcome package including a campus map, emergency contact QR codes, WeChat group information, and a list of nearby amenities.
Q: What support is there after the program ends?
A: Within two to three months after completion, send participants a short alumni survey to collect feedback and updates (e.g., graduate admissions, publications, collaborations).
Company
Chinese Institutes for Medical Research (CIMR), Beijing（首都医学科学创新中心）is a research organization dedicated to advancing basic and translational medical research. Our goal is to tackle fundamental problems in human health with cutting edge technology and through inter-disciplinary collaborations with world-class scientists and physicians in Beijing. CIMR will provide education and training opportunities for future medical scientists. We are committed to a science-centered framework to promote innovation in research and education through a variety of novel funding mechanisms.
In the heart of Beijing, the Chinese Institutes for Medical Research (CIMR), a new research centre, aims to be a hub of innovation dedicated to advancing basic and translational medical research. With a mission to tackle fundamental problems in human health, CIMR has adopted a cutting-edge, multidisciplinary approach, bringing together scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, and investors throughout the scoping and development of the medical research pipeline.
Lin Mei, CIMR director, describes the centre as a unique institution — different from a conventional university, research institute, enterprise, or hospital — with distinct responsibilities for talent cultivation, research outcomes, independent business operation, contribution to public research, and engagement in clinical medical research.
The untapped potential in Beijing’s scientific and clinical resources highlights the need for improved collaboration. CIMR will work closely with the Capital Medical University (CMU), a premium medical university in the city, with 20 affiliated hospitals and 30,000 beds, to address the challenges in translating science into clinical breakthroughs. In a few years CIMR will relocate to Daxing in southern Beijing, a district set to become a healthcare innovation hub.
“Its aim to be a hub of innovation requires leveraging our strengths through working together,“ says Mei, a renowned neuroscientist with more than 30 years of medical and research experience in the United States.
Collaboration is pivotal to CIMR’s success and relies on active doctor involvement and teamwork with affiliated hospitals. Industry engagement ensures that the Institutes are aligned with product development routes, which will help to bridge the gap between research and its practical application.
“We aim to be a leader, not just in research but in changing how we approach medical challenges and innovation.” Mei says, “CIMR aims to reshape the landscape of medical research and education by using its unconventional structure to defy conventional boundaries.”
Improving Medical Education
CIMR is fostering a cultural shift within the institute through promoting equality, which has implications for how research is conducted: from selection of candidates to the focus on academia over bureacracy. “Everyone is equal here. professors, associate professors, and assistant professors are all the same,” says Xinsheng Liao, deputy director of CIMR, who oversees the institute’s talent cultivation and hospital cooperation.
Traditionally, CMU faces challenges in its medical residency training system, Liao says. Hospitals have been slow to produce residents ready and capable of independently managing patient care, such as surgery or cardiology.
This contrasts with the United States, where outstanding trainees then become attending physicians. This highlights the need for improved training in CMU, adds Liao, who worked as a doctor in the United States for more than 20 years.
“After finishing my training at the University of Washington, I was immediately appointed as an attending physician for bone marrow transplantation: a ward with 20 beds was assigned to my care,” Liao recalls. He notes how he appreciated the effectiveness of this very practical aspect of clinical medical education.
According to Liao, there is a need to improve the effectiveness of teaching skills among CMU clinical instructors. “It can be difficult to efficiently pass on the large amount of complex clinical skills to trainees,” Liao says. Many hospitals underestimate teaching needs, which contributes to a gap in clinical training, he suggests. So CIMR is determined to address these needs by taking a different tack.
CIMR has plans for collaborative efforts with hospitals and will bring in experienced doctors from abroad. In doing this, they aim to create a more targeted and skill-oriented approach to clinical medical education. “The key is to focus on essentials. It’s like learning to ride a bicycle; once you grasp the fundamentals and the correct techniques, the rest becomes easy,” Liao says.
A pilot programme called ‘Jieping Class‘ is underway at CMU. This class addresses the shortage of high-level physician-scientists by integrating traditional clinical education with scientific research. It introduces courses in diverse fields and allows students to participate in interdisciplinary research groups, selecting a doctoral mentor group in the second year for a 7-10 year research period. This innovative approach aims to produce physician-scientists, blending skills in cell biology, immunology, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and public health.
“Our goal is to create an environment where students can become outstanding scientists.” Liao concludes.
A Catalyst for Change
CIMR’s innovative strategy in cultivating physicians and researchers also includes programmes from outside traditional institutions. Initial funding is provided for 25 research projects and 31 outstanding youth innovation projects. These will span eight departments from the main campus and 16 affiliated hospitals of CMU.
A Young Physician-Scientist Training Program aims to support dozens of young doctors, and will encourage their participation in basic medical research alongside clinical practice.
“What surprised me from this programme was the quick decision to generously fund my research project,” says HongHu Zhu, a senior researcher at CIMR, “It’s quite different from what I’ve seen elsewhere.”
Zhu has pioneered groundbreaking research in leukemia transformation. His approach for treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) boasts a 95% cure rate, and also led him to define a new type of leukemia type, RARG-AML.
Having worked in various hospitals in China, Zhu joined CIMR because of its unique culture. “They saw my genuine passion for doing practical work in the field, not just producing papers,“ Zhu says. “It showed they value people with real experiences.“
Zhu soon saw how CIMR’s culture differed from other institutions, that reflected the equality that CIMR has worked hard to cultivate. “There’s a unique atmosphere where young principal investigators can voice concerns and challenge leadership decisions,” he notes.
CIMR’s reforms, including reshaping the interaction between clinical management and scientific directors, to engage hospital leaders.
Zhu will continue to focus on breakthroughs in leukemia treatment in the elderly and understanding the impact of viruses on genetic mutations leading to cancer. “This new model could help cultivate a new generation of medical professionals from an early stage,” he says.
Zhu‘s dedication to pushing the boundaries of medical research reflects CIMR’s commitment to innovation and fostering a new generation of physician-scientists in China.
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