Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) International Fellowships for Research in Japan

Purpose

This scholarship aims to provide opportunities for pre/post-doctoral researchers from the ASEAN member countries (*) to conduct cooperative research under the guidance of their hosts cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions. This program is intended to help advance the overseas researchers’ research activities while advancing science and promoting internationalization in Japan.

*Eligible countries are ASEAN member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam)

FIELDS OF RESEARCH

DURATION OF FELLOWSHIPS

• 1 to 12 months as agreed upon by the applicant and the host researcher
• This fellowship is provided in full month units.
• Conditions
  • The fellowship begins when a fellow arrives at a Japanese airport from abroad and ends when they depart from a Japanese airport. This condition does not apply to fellows already residing in Japan before or after the fellowship.
  • The fellowship period may span across different fiscal years, depending on when it starts.
  • Fellows must stay continuously in Japan for the entire duration of the fellowship.
  • The fellowship duration cannot be divided into multiple stays.

STARTING DATE

Fellows must start their Fellowship in Japan during the period of 1 April 2025– 31 March 2026

ELIGIBILITY

• Eligibility criteria for applicants:

• Applicants must meet one in each of the AB categories below.
  • Category A: Conditions related to degree
    • Less than 6 years since obtaining a Ph.D. in a country other than Japan
    • Expected to obtain a Ph.D. in a country other than Japan within 2 years from the employment start date
  • Category B: Conditions related to nationality
    • Nationals of ASEAN member countries
    • A person who is a citizen of a country other than an ASEAN member country and has been engaged in research activities for the past three years at a research institution in an ASEAN member country.
• Must receive Letter of Acceptance/Invitation from the candidate’s prospective host researcher in Japan (details indicated in Eligibility criteria for host researchers*).
• Conditions
  • Persons who have previously been awarded and started a fellowship under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan ([Standard (P)], [Short-term (PE)] , [Short-term (PA)] and [Pathway to University positions) in Japan (PU)]) are not eligible. 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 the time deducted from their research experience.

• Eligibility criteria for host researchers*:

  • Must be affiliated with a research institution eligible to apply for KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, JSPS) grants.
  • Must be full-time researchers, but exceptions may be made if the host institution can ensure uninterrupted program execution.
  • Eligible host institutions include universities, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-affiliated institutions, colleges of technology, and institutions designated by the Minister of MEXT.
  • Host researchers cannot change during the fellowship tenure. If it is known at the time of application that the host researcher will retire during a candidate’s fellowship tenure, they should not be a host researcher.

TERMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

• Financial support provided:
  • Airfare: Round-trip ticket based on JSPS regulations.
  • Monthly Allowance:
    • Ph.D. holders: 362,000 JPY per month.
    • Non-Ph.D. holders: 200,000 JPY per month.
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Settling-in allowance of 200,000 JPY for fellows with 3 or more months of tenure.
    • Overseas travel insurance.
• Monthly allowance:
  • 362,000 JPY for Ph.D. holders if their diploma is submitted before the fellowship starts. 200,000 JPY if no diploma is submitted.
  • If the diploma is submitted after the fellowship starts, the allowance increases from the following month, but past payments remain unchanged.
    • In the same regard, If you obtain a degree during the employment period, the fee can be changed to 362,000 JPY per month.
  • Candidates already in Japan before the fellowship's start date do not receive airfare or settling-in allowance.
  • Research support allowance available for cooperative research expenses, up to 70,000 JPY per month of tenure, applied for by the host researcher through their institution.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR PROGRAM

• Applications must be submitted through an overseas nominating authority to JSPS. The application process involves:
  • Candidates establish contact with prospective hosts in Japan.
    • Note: JSPS does not assist in finding or introducing host researchers or institutions. Applicants may seek guidance from the JSPS Alumni Association in their country.
    • Please find the contact list of JSPS Alumni Associations at https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-alumni/
  • Candidates submit applications via the ASEAN University Network web portal.
  • The application deadline for ASEAN member countries is July 31, 2024.
  • Nominating authorities conduct scientific evaluations and nominate selected candidates to JSPS by December 2, 2024.
  • Around three months after nomination, JSPS notifies both candidates and nominating authorities of selection decisions.
• Applying through multiple nominating authorities or with different host researchers in the same fiscal year is not allowed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Completed application form by the candidate through the AUN web portal.
• Letter of acceptance/invitation from the candidate's prospective host researcher in Japan, confirming acceptance during the fellowship tenure.
• Letter of recommendation from the candidate's doctoral supervisor or equivalent, on letterhead if possible.
• Ph.D. degree diploma or certificate. If not yet awarded, a letter from the institution stating the expected award date.
• Alternatively, candidates not scheduled to receive a Ph.D. may submit:
  • Certificate of doctoral course enrollment indicating graduation within two years.
  • A letter from the supervisor confirming the expected Ph.D. award within two years.
• All documents must be in English. If in another language, include an English translation (not necessarily official, can be done by the host or the candidate).
• The date of degree award is based on the university's official award date, not the defense or completion date.

IMPORTANT DATES

Submission Deadline: 31 July 2024

Result Announcement: February 2025

CONTACT

If you have any queries concerning the application, please contact [email protected] and [email protected] with the subject “JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan: ASEAN Submission”