JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan 2027

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is Japan's leading funding agency for scientific research. Through this fellowship, JSPS aims to help overseas researchers advance their research activities while promoting internationalisation in Japan. Fellows work alongside host researchers at Japanese universities and MEXT-affiliated institutions.

Key features of the programme:

• All research fields — Open to every academic discipline

• Flexible duration — 1 to 12 months in full-month units

• Full financial support — Airfare, monthly stipend, settling-in allowance, and insurance

• Research support allowance — Up to ¥70,000 per month for cooperative research expenses

• ASEAN-focused — Primarily for nationals of ASEAN member countries

• Non-ASEAN researchers eligible — If continuously engaged in research at an ASEAN institution for at least 3 years

Related: Learn more about research opportunities in Japan.

Successful fellows receive:

• Round-trip airfare — Based on JSPS regulations from your home country to Japan

• Monthly allowance:

  • ¥362,000 per month — For PhD holders (diploma submitted before fellowship starts)

  • ¥200,000 per month — For non-PhD holders (doctoral students or those without diploma)

  • If you obtain your PhD during the fellowship, the allowance increases to ¥362,000 from the following month

• Settling-in allowance — ¥200,000 for fellows with 3 or more months of tenure

• Overseas travel insurance — Full coverage during the fellowship period

• Research support allowance — Up to ¥70,000 per month for cooperative research expenses, applied for by the host researcher through their institution

• Access to leading Japanese research facilities — Work with world-class research groups

• International academic network — Build connections with Japanese and international researchers

Note: Candidates already residing in Japan before the fellowship start date do not receive airfare or settling-in allowance.

All documents must be in English. If originally in another language, include an English translation (not necessarily official — can be done by the host or candidate).

Academic Background

• Transcripts from Bachelor's through most recent degree

• PhD degree diploma or certificate

• If PhD not yet awarded:

  • A letter from your institution stating the expected award date, OR

  • A certificate of enrollment in a doctoral programme indicating expected graduation within 2 years, plus a letter from your supervisor confirming anticipated PhD award within that timeframe

  • Note: The degree award date must be based on the university's official award date, not the date of defense or completion

• Recommendation letter from your doctoral supervisor or another appropriate person

Host Researcher in Japan

• Letter of acceptance/invitation from your prospective host researcher in Japan, confirming acceptance during the fellowship tenure

• If you do not have this letter at the time of application, you may submit without it and send a follow-up email with the letter later

• The letter must still be submitted by 16 November 2026 — your application status will be "pending" until the letter is received

Research Outputs

• List of Major Publications (1 page) — Include all authors, title, journal, volume, number, pages, month, and year. Only include peer-reviewed papers that have been printed or accepted for publication

Research Plan

• Research Plan in Japan (2 pages) covering:

  • Background of proposed research

  • Purpose of proposed research

  • Proposed plan and methodology

  • Expected results and impacts

Application Forms

• Application Form

• Personal History form

• Compliance Requirements for Host Institutions (submitted by host)

Category 1 — ASEAN nationals with PhD

• National of an ASEAN member country

• Holds a PhD degree

• Less than 6 years since obtaining PhD in a country other than Japan

Category 2 — ASEAN nationals in doctoral programme

• National of an ASEAN member country

• Currently enrolled in a doctoral programme

• Expected to obtain PhD within 2 years

Category 3 — Non-ASEAN nationals with PhD

• Not a national of an ASEAN member country

• Holds a PhD degree (less than 6 years since obtaining it, outside Japan)

• Has been continuously engaged in research activities at a research institution in an ASEAN member country for at least 3 years

Category 4 — Non-ASEAN nationals in doctoral programme

• Not a national of an ASEAN member country

• Currently in a doctoral programme (expected PhD within 2 years)

• Has been continuously engaged in research activities at an institution in an ASEAN member country for at least 3 years

Conditions for All Applicants

• Must not have previously been awarded and started a fellowship under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan (Standard, Short-term PE, Short-term PA, or Pathway to University positions in Japan)

• This Short-term (PA) Fellowship is only awarded once per researcher

• Japanese citizens who are permanent residents of eligible countries are not eligible

• Researchers who have taken maternity or parental leave may have that time deducted from their research experience calculation

For Host Researchers

• Must be affiliated with a research institution eligible to apply for KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) grants

• Must be full-time researchers (exceptions possible if the institution ensures uninterrupted programme execution)

• Eligible host institutions include universities, MEXT-affiliated institutions, colleges of technology, and institutions designated by the Minister of MEXT

• Host researchers cannot change during the fellowship tenure

• If the host researcher will retire during the fellowship, they should not be listed as host

Follow these steps to apply for the JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan 2027:

Step 1: Identify your research interests and search for prospective host researchers at Japanese universities or MEXT-affiliated institutions. JSPS does not assist in finding hosts — you must establish contact yourself. You may seek guidance from the JSPS Alumni Association in your country.

Step 2: Contact prospective host researchers directly with your CV, research proposal, and a clear explanation of how your work aligns with their group. Secure a letter of acceptance/invitation from them.

Step 3: Request the Compliance Requirements for Host Institutions from JSPS regarding post-selection hosting arrangements, and submit these to your prospective host institution through your host researcher.

Step 4: Prepare all required documents: transcripts, diploma (or enrollment certificate + supervisor letter), recommendation letter, publication list, research plan, and host acceptance letter.

Step 5: Ensure all documents are in English (with translations if necessary).

Step 6: Submit your complete application via the ASEAN University Network web portal before the deadline.

Step 7: Wait for the selection process. JSPS notifies awardees and nominating authorities approximately three months after nomination.

Step 8: If selected, you will receive an email from JSPS Headquarters with your award letter in April 2027.

Step 9: Arrange your travel and begin your fellowship in Japan between 1 July 2027 and 31 March 2028.

Important: Applying through multiple nominating authorities or with different host researchers in the same fiscal year is not allowed. Submit only one application.