JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan┋Standard Program

The program provides an opportunity to conduct collaborative research for young overseas researchers under the guidance of their hosts in universities and other research institutions in Japan.

Fields of Research

All fields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

Duration

12 to 24 months

Fellow Eligibility

• Be a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan (JSPS treats Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers in this manner).
• Hold a doctorate degree when the Fellowship goes into effect, which must have been received within the past 6 years, or be scheduled to receive a doctorate degree before the Fellowship goes into effect.

Note 1: Those who have previously been awarded a fellowship under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Research in Japan ([Standard] , and [Pathway to University positions in japan]) are not eligible.

Note 2: Persons who are Japanese citizen and foreigners who are permitted permanent residence in Japan are not eligible.

Note 3: A person who was selected as a fellow needs to submit an original copy of the doctor's degree certificate or a copy of the degree by the commencement date (Not required when submitting the application).

Host Eligibility

The applicant (host researcher) must, in principle, be a researcher who is employed full-time at a university or research institution as specified in Article 2* of the Procedure for the Handling of Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Kakenhi), issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

However, there are cases when a researcher not employed in a full time position may be eligible. Such persons must be eligible to apply for a KAKENHI grant–in-aid and his/her affiliated institution must judge them able to implement the project and to provide an appropriate research environment (e.g., laboratory, equipment, personnel) for it.

Each host researcher can submit up to three applications. If more than one overseas researchers apply as candidates for the fellowship at the same time, priorities should be given to them.

* Eligible host institutions specified under the above MEXT Procedure are as follows:

• Universities and inter-university research institutes
• MEXT-affiliated institutions engaged in research
• Colleges of technology
• Institutions designated by the Minister of MEXT

Term of Award

Airfare
A round-trip air ticket (based on JSPS’s regulations. See the “Program Guidelines”. )

Maintenance Allowance
¥362,000 per month

Miscellaneous
A settling-in allowance of ¥200,000, Overseas travel insurance, etc.

[Note] For the fellow who has been living in Japan (and has a mailing address) before the fellowship starting date, the “traveling expense” of outbound flight and a “settle-in allowance” will not be paid.

A Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Tokubetsu Kenkyuin Syoure-hi) is available to cover cooperative research-related expenses. Application for these grants is made by the host researcher through his/her institution.

FY2020 Application Guidelines and Forms

Application deadlines for host institutions to JSPS are as follows. Each host institution may have its own application deadline more than one month before the deadline set by JSPS. Applicants (host researchers) should check with the staff of host institution in advance. 

Application periods (for host institution)

• 1st recruitment: September 6, 2019 (by 5 p.m. (JST))
• 2nd recruitment: May 8, 2020 (by 5 p.m. (JST)) 

Notification of selection results

• 1st recruitment: late December 2019
• 2nd recruitment: middle of August 2020

Fellowship periods and periods for arrival in Japan

• 1st recruitment: April 1, 2020–September 30, 2020
• 2nd recruitment: September 1, 2020–November 30, 2020

Number of fellowship award

• 1st recruitment: 115
• 2nd recruitment: 115