The 3rd ImmunoSensation2 - IFReC
International School
on Advanced Immunology

DATE : 28 - 31 October, 2024
VENUE : The Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center

Application is closed.

The results of the screening and selection process will be announced in early July 2026.

We are pleased to announce that the International School on Advanced Immunology will return to Japan, bringing together young immunologists from across the globe through a collaboration between the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) at The University of Osaka and ImmunoSensation3 at the University of Bonn.

We invite applications from PhD students and early-career postdoctoral researchers interested in participating in this exciting educational program. The school offers an excellent opportunity for young immunologists to meet and learn from world-leading experts. Participants will also have the chance to connect with international peers, building a global network that will extend well beyond the duration of the school. Excursions will also be organized, providing opportunities to relax and deepen connections.

This year, we are honored to announce that Professor Shimon Sakaguchi, 2025 Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, will be delivering a lecture at the school!

International School 2026 Flyer
Click here to download.

Following the school, the 55th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Immunology will be held 17–19 November. Conducted in English, this annual meeting provides a valuable opportunity for leading researchers from Japan and distinguished experts from around the world to come together and discuss the latest advancements in immunology. School participants will have the opportunity to attend the annual meeting. Furthermore, the registration fee and basic accommodation fee (16–18 November) will be waived for those who attend the entire duration of the meeting. Details will be announced on the members’ site, which is accessible to successful applicants.

Website of the 55th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Immunology:
https://www2.aeplan.co.jp/jsi2026/en/index.html

School Overview

  • Four-day intensive course for advanced Ph.D. students and early-career postdoctoral researchers
  • Faculty of 16 outstanding immunologists
  • 50 competitively selected participants
  • Accommodations and round-trip airfare will be fully covered
  • Application is free, but accepted applicants are required to pay a registration fee of 80,000 JPY, which includes 41,000 JPY for school participation and 39,000 JPY for social events
  • Prizes will be awarded for the best presentations

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be Ph.D. students or postdoctoral researchers within three years since obtaining their Ph.D.
  • Applicants must be able to participate in the entire program
  • Participants must present both a poster and a short oral presentation
  • Applicants must not have been accepted to any previous International School on Advanced Immunology

ABOUT

Mission Statement

The International School on Advanced Immunology was established in 2022 and is jointly organized by IFReC and ImmunoSensation3. The school aims to nurture young immunologists and develop them into the next generation of leaders who will drive breakthroughs in the field of immunology. The four-day intensive course brings together 50 selected international PhD students and early-career postdoctoral researchers with a faculty of 15 world-class experts to push the frontiers of immunology and foster networking among peers.


We welcome young researchers from all disciplines to participate in this program. The selection process is highly competitive, and we expect participants to be highly motivated and to actively participate in all of the school activities during the stimulating intensive program.


The school was rated highly by the world-class researchers who lectured at the previous schools and by the previous participants. They particularly praised the advanced lectures, the participants’ high level of research, and the very active interaction among attendees.

FACULTY

15 world-class experts in the field of immunology (as of 5/21/2026)

Zeinab Abdullah (ImmunoSensation3, University of Bonn, Germany)
Zeinab Abdullah (University of Bonn)
Hilde Cheroutre (La Jolla Institute, USA)
Hilde Cheroutre
(La Jolla Institute, USA)
Cevayir Coban (IFReC, The University of Osaka, Japan)
Cevayir Coban
(The University of Osaka)
Jason Cyster (University of California San Francisco, USA)
Jason Cyster
(University of California San Francisco,)
Mitchell Kronenberg (La Jolla Institute, USA)
Mitchell Kronenberg
(La Jolla Institute)
Si Ming Man (The Australian National University, Australia)
Si Ming Man
(The Australian National University)
Katy Rezvani (MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA)
Katy Rezvani
(MD Anderson Cancer Center)
Alexander Rudensky (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA)
Alexander Rudensky (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Shimon Sakaguchi (IFReC, The University of Osaka, Japan)
Shimon Sakaguchi
(The University of Osaka,)
Mamiko Sakata (University of Tsukuba, Japan)
Mamiko Sakata
(University of Tsukuba)
Anja Schneider (ImmunoSensation3, University of Bonn, Germany)
Anja Schneider
(University of Bonn)
Sonia Sharma (RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Japan)
Sonia Sharma
(RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences,)
Elizabeth J. Shpall (MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA)
Elizabeth J. Shpall
(MD Anderson Cancer Center)
Christoph Wilhelm (ImmunoSensation3, University of Bonn, Germany)
Christoph Wilhelm
(University of Bonn)
Sho Yamasaki (IFReC, The University of Osaka, Japan)
Sho Yamasaki
(The University of Osaka)

SCHEDULE

10-15 November 2026

Application

Application is closed.

The results of the screening and selection process will be announced in early July 2026.

VENUE

Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center

Address: 1 Yumebutai, Awaji City, Hyogo 656-2306 Japan 
 Phone: +81-799-74-1020

Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center

Awaji Island is a large island at the eastern end of the Seto Inland Sea, located between Honshu and Shikoku. Access to both Honshu and Shikoku is convenient since this island is linked to Honshu, the main island of Japan, by the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge (second longest suspension bridge in the world by main span) and also to Shikoku by the Ōnaruto Bridge (Great Naruto Bridge). The venue is located two hours away from Kansai International Airport and one and a half hours away from Itami (Osaka) International Airport by public transport.

ACCOMMODATION

Grand Nikko Awaji

2 Yumebutai, Awaji City, Hyogo 656-2306 Japan

  • The hotel is located next to the Awaji Yumebutai Conference Center.
  • Each student will share a room with another participant (twin room/separate beds).
  • Accommodation costs will be fully covered during the program session period.
  • All meals will be provided during the program.
  • Please contact the School Office for hotel information. Do not contact the hotel directly.

SUPPORT

German Research Foundation (DFG)
World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Core-to-Core Program, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)  

ORGANIZERS

Organizing Committee

Kiyoshi Takeda (Director, IFReC, The University of Osaka)
Masahiro Yamamoto (Professor, IFReC, The University of Osaka)
Akihiko Takagi (Administrative Director, IFReC, The University of Osaka)
Gunther Hartmann (Speaker, ImmunoSensation3, University of Bonn)
Andreas Schlitzer (Speaker, ImmunoSensation3, University of Bonn)
Anja Schneider (Speaker, ImmunoSensation3, University of Bonn)
Catherine Drescher (Managing Director, ImmunoSensation3, University of Bonn)

Local Committee

[Chair]
Masahiro Yamamoto
[Members]
Kazuhiro Suzuki
Hisashi Arase
Daron Standley
Naoki Hosen
Kazuyo Moro
Yumi Matsuoka
Kahori Ikeda

CONTACT US

Address

3-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan

Tel

+81 6 6879 4929

Email

school_office @ advanced-immunology.net

Contacts

Dr. Kahori Ikeda (Scientific Program / Student Selection)

Chieko Yamashita (Travel Arrangement for Participants)