Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan
The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan (Standard) lets researchers from abroad spend one to two years working with a host at a Japanese university or research institute, on a monthly allowance of 362,000 yen. It is Japan's main postdoctoral route for foreign researchers, with about 120 places in each of two rounds a year. Unusually, the application is made not by the candidate but by the host researcher in Japan, or by a nominating agency in the candidate's own country.
- Level
- Postdoc
- Study or work in
- Japan
- Who can apply
- Citizens of countries with diplomatic relations with Japan, with a PhD from the last six years or by the start date; not Japanese citizens or permanent residents
- What it covers
- 362,000 yen a month, a return air ticket, a 200,000 yen settling-in allowance, overseas travel insurance, and eligibility for a research grant
- Length
- 12 to 24 months, in one continuous stay in Japan
- Application window
- Two rounds a year: host institutions submit by late August and by late April (FY2027: 28 August 2026 and 23 April 2027)
Open now (1)
- Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan (Standard)Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
How to apply
Agree a project with a host researcher in Japan, who applies to JSPS through the head of their institution (institutions set earlier internal deadlines). Alternatively, apply to the nominating authority in your own country, such as the Royal Society, the Humboldt Foundation or NSERC, by its own rules.
Who can be a fellow
Candidates must be citizens of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan, a rule JSPS applies to Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers in the same way. For the FY2027 fellowships they must have received their doctorate on or after 2 April 2021, or expect to receive it before the fellowship starts; time taken for maternity or parental leave can be subtracted, with advance consultation. Whether they currently have a full-time job does not matter.
Foreigners who hold a Japanese doctorate or live in Japan with a residence card are eligible, but Japanese citizens and foreigners with permanent residence in Japan are not. Anyone who has already started a JSPS Standard or Pathway fellowship cannot apply again.
The two ways in
In the open call, a host researcher at a Japanese university, inter-university institute, college of technology or other eligible institution applies for the candidate, through the head of the institution. The host must be eligible for the Japanese research grants known as KAKENHI and should normally be a full-time researcher who will not retire during the fellowship. Each host may submit up to three applications per round, but a candidate may be put forward only once per deadline.
In the nomination route, candidates apply to a nominating authority in their own country, which recommends fellows to JSPS. The authorities include the Royal Society and the British Academy in the UK, the Humboldt Foundation in Germany, CNRS in France, NSERC in Canada, the Australian Academy of Science, and the JSPS Washington Office for the United States. Each sets its own procedure and deadline. A candidate who applies both ways must withdraw the second application as soon as one succeeds.
Living and working in Japan
The fellowship pays 362,000 yen a month, a return air ticket under JSPS rules, a settling-in allowance of 200,000 yen and overseas travel insurance, and fellows can apply for a Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellows to cover research costs. It runs in whole months from the day the fellow lands in Japan to the day they leave, and it must be one continuous stay; it cannot be split.
Fellows are expected to stay in Japan and concentrate on research. With their host's approval they may teach students on related topics, join closely related projects and do outreach, but they may not be employed for these. The fellowship can be suspended for childbirth, childcare or illness.
How selection works
- Host institution deadline. The host researcher prepares the application with the candidate and submits it through their institution, which usually sets an internal deadline a month or more before the JSPS one.
- Submission to JSPS. The institution sends applications to the president of JSPS by the round's deadline: 28 August 2026 for the first FY2027 round and 23 April 2027 for the second.
- Document review. Six examiners from the JSPS International Program Committee score each application from 1 to 5 on research achievements, the research plan, research capacity, the future potential of the research, and the new research networks it would build.
- Panel review. Applications are referred to panels by their document scores, and each panel selects a set number, considering scientific advance, a concrete plan, suitable facilities and diversity of nationalities and institutions.
- Results and arrival. JSPS informs the host institution: late December for the first round, with arrivals from April to September; early August for the second, with arrivals from September to November.
Questions
Can I apply without a host?
Not in the open call. You may apply through a nominating authority in your country, if there is one, but you will still work with a host in Japan.
I did my PhD in Japan. Can I apply?
Yes. Foreigners with a Japanese doctorate, or living in Japan with a residence card, are eligible. Permanent residents are not.
How long is the fellowship?
From 12 to 24 months, in whole months, as one continuous stay in Japan.
How many fellows are chosen?
About 120 in each of the two rounds a year, a number JSPS says may change for budgetary reasons.
Can I teach during the fellowship?
You may do research-related teaching at the host institution with the host's approval, but you cannot be employed for it.
Is there a shorter version?
JSPS also runs short-term postdoctoral fellowships, a summer programme and a strategic programme, each with its own rules.
Related programmes
Sources
- JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships (Standard)
- JSPS: application schedule (Standard, open call)
- JSPS: selection process (Standard, open call)
- JSPS FY2027 application guidelines (PDF)
- JSPS: applying through overseas nominating authorities
- JSPS: history of the postdoctoral fellowships
- JSPS: mission, functions and history
- JSPS: Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan
Official pages last checked 27 September 2026.