The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan is one of the most prestigious research opportunities available to academics and scientists outside Japan. Funded by one of Japan’s leading research promotion bodies, this fellowship invites outstanding researchers from around the world to travel to Japan and engage in collaborative research, academic discussions, and knowledge exchange with Japanese colleagues. It is a fully supported programme that covers airfare, a monthly or daily maintenance allowance, travel insurance, and research support funding, making it an exceptional opportunity for researchers at any career stage.
This fellowship is designed for established researchers who are currently working full-time at universities or research institutions outside Japan. Whether you are a professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or a researcher who has held your doctorate for at least six years, this programme gives you the chance to deepen your research, expand your international network, and contribute to the advancement of science through collaboration with some of Japan’s leading academic minds. Two tracks are available: a long-term fellowship lasting two to ten months and a short-term fellowship lasting fourteen to sixty days, so you can choose the option that fits your schedule and research goals.
This post covers everything you need to know about the JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan. You will find full eligibility details, the benefits of each track, what documents are required, how the application process works, key dates, and practical tips to help you succeed. Read through carefully so you can take this opportunity seriously and give your application the best possible chance.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | Japan |
| Degree Level | Research Fellowship (for established researchers, not degree students) |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Deadline | Long-term: once per year; Short-term: twice per year |
| Who Can Apply | Full-time researchers and academics at universities or research institutions outside Japan, from countries with diplomatic relations with Japan |
| Benefits Summary | Round-trip economy airfare, monthly allowance of JPY 387,600 (long-term) or JPY 18,000 per day (short-term), overseas travel insurance, and research support allowance of up to JPY 150,000 |
Eligibility
This fellowship has two sets of eligibility criteria: one for the host researcher in Japan (who submits the application) and one for the invited overseas researcher (the candidate). If you are an overseas researcher, you need to find a Japanese host researcher who is willing to invite you. Here is a full breakdown.
Eligibility for the Invited Overseas Researcher (Candidate):
- Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. Taiwan and Palestine are treated as eligible under this criterion. If you hold Japanese nationality but have lived outside Japan for ten or more years at the time of application, and your host institution judges that you have played an active role in that country’s scientific community, you may also be eligible.
- Academic Qualifications: You must be a full-time researcher or hold full-time researcher status at a university or research institution outside Japan. Your position should be equivalent to a professor, associate professor, or assistant professor in Japan. This includes professor emeritus positions. Researchers in other categories may apply if at least six years have passed since they obtained their doctoral degree and the host institution confirms that they have been continuously conducting research at a foreign university or research institution.
- Work Experience: Active, continuous research experience at a university or research institution abroad is required. A strong record of research achievements is expected.
- Language Requirements: No specific language test requirement is stated in the official programme information. However, your ability to collaborate effectively with your Japanese host researcher is expected. Confirm with your host institution or JSPS directly.
- Other Requirements: You must meet the eligibility conditions at the time of application, at the time of selection, and throughout the entire fellowship period. If you are already living in Japan and have a mailing address there before the fellowship start date, the outbound airfare and settling-in allowance will not be paid.
Eligibility for the Host Researcher in Japan (who applies on your behalf):
- The host researcher must be affiliated with a qualifying Japanese research institution under MEXT regulations, be eligible to apply for a KAKENHI grant, and be willing to host an overseas researcher. They must also be a full-time researcher or demonstrate equivalent capacity to support the fellow throughout the entire fellowship period.
Eligible Countries
This fellowship is open to researchers from all countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan. Taiwan and Palestine are also treated as eligible. Since Japan maintains diplomatic relations with the majority of countries in the world, the programme is effectively open to researchers from almost every nation globally.
Below is a general overview by region. This is not an exhaustive list. If your country maintains diplomatic relations with Japan, you are likely eligible.
- Africa: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and most other African nations with diplomatic ties to Japan.
- Asia: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and others.
- Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and others.
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and others.
- Middle East: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and others.
- Oceania: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and others.
For the definitive and current list of countries with diplomatic relations with Japan, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website or contact JSPS directly.
Eligible Fields of Study
This fellowship is open to all fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
There are no restrictions on academic discipline. Whether your research is in history, economics, sociology, medicine, biology, physics, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, or any other recognised field, you are welcome to apply. What matters most is the quality of your research and the potential for meaningful collaboration with your Japanese host researcher.
Benefits
The JSPS Invitational Fellowship is a fully funded research opportunity. The specific financial support differs slightly between the long-term and short-term tracks.
Long-term Fellowship (2 to 10 months):
- Airfare: A round-trip economy-class air ticket, provided in accordance with JSPS regulations. If you are already residing in Japan before the fellowship start date, the outbound portion of the ticket will not be covered.
- Living Allowance: JPY 387,600 per month. This is intended to cover your living costs while you are in Japan during the fellowship period.
- Overseas Travel Insurance: Provided for the duration of your fellowship stay in Japan.
- Research Support Allowance: Up to JPY 150,000 to support your research activities. This is applied for by the host researcher through their institution.
Short-term Fellowship (14 to 60 days):
- Airfare: A round-trip economy-class air ticket, provided in accordance with JSPS regulations. The same note applies regarding researchers already residing in Japan.
- Daily Allowance: JPY 18,000 per day to cover your accommodation and living costs during your stay.
- Overseas Travel Insurance: Provided for the duration of the fellowship.
- Research Support Allowance: Up to JPY 150,000, applied for by the host researcher through their institution.
Note: Settling-in allowance and outbound airfare are not paid to candidates who are already living in Japan and have a Japanese mailing address before the fellowship start date.
Required Documents
The application for this fellowship is submitted by the host researcher in Japan, not by the overseas researcher directly. However, as the invited researcher, you will need to provide certain materials to your host for inclusion in the application. The following checklist is based on standard JSPS application requirements.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): A comprehensive academic and professional CV showing your research history, publications, and institutional affiliations.
- List of Research Achievements: A detailed list of publications, conference papers, grants received, and other academic outputs.
- Research Plan: A clear outline of the collaborative research you intend to undertake in Japan, including objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
- Proof of Current Affiliation: A letter or document from your current institution confirming your position and employment status.
- Proof of Doctoral Degree: A copy of your doctoral degree certificate. If you obtained your doctorate six or more years ago and do not hold a standard academic rank, this document becomes particularly important.
- Letter of Invitation from the Host Researcher: The formal letter written by your Japanese host researcher inviting you to conduct collaborative research at their institution.
- Passport Copy: A valid passport showing your nationality and personal details.
- Evidence of Research Residency Abroad (for Japanese nationals): If you are a Japanese national applying on the basis of long-term residency abroad (ten or more years), you will need to provide supporting evidence of your residency and academic activities in that country.
How to Apply
This fellowship works differently from most scholarships. The application is submitted by a host researcher in Japan on your behalf, not by you directly. This means your first task is to identify and connect with a Japanese researcher or institution that is willing to host you.
Step 1: Identify a potential host researcher in Japan. Search for researchers in your field who are affiliated with eligible Japanese institutions. Look at JSPS-affiliated universities, inter-university research institutes, and MEXT-designated institutions. Review their published work and identify someone whose research aligns with yours.
Step 2: Make contact with your prospective host. Reach out to the researcher by email, introducing yourself, your work, and your interest in a collaborative visit to Japan. Be specific about what you hope to explore together. A strong alignment of research interests makes this conversation much more productive.
Step 3: Confirm the host researcher’s eligibility. Your host must be affiliated with an eligible institution, be able to apply for KAKENHI funding, and be a full-time researcher (or demonstrate equivalent capacity). Ask them to verify this before proceeding.
Step 4: Decide which fellowship track fits your goals. Discuss with your host whether the long-term fellowship (two to ten months) or the short-term fellowship (fourteen to sixty days) is appropriate for your research plans and availability.
Step 5: Prepare your documents. Work with your host to compile all required materials. This includes your CV, research plan, list of publications, degree documentation, and institutional affiliation evidence. Refer to the Required Documents section above.
Step 6: Your host researcher submits the application. The official application is submitted by the host researcher through their institution to JSPS, via the head of their university or research institution. The electronic application system is available in Japanese. Your host will lead this process.
Step 7: Monitor the application timeline. Long-term fellowship recruitment happens once per year. Short-term fellowship recruitment happens twice per year. Stay in close contact with your host throughout the submission and review period.
Step 8: Await selection results. JSPS selects grantees through a formal review process. If selected, you will be notified through your host researcher and institution.
Step 9: Make travel and visa arrangements. Once selected, work with your host institution and JSPS to arrange your travel, accommodation, and any required visa for Japan. JSPS will coordinate the airfare and insurance as part of the fellowship package.
Step 10: Begin your research fellowship. Arrive in Japan and engage fully in your collaborative research programme with your host. Maintain regular communication with JSPS as required throughout your fellowship period.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application Opens (Long-term) | Once per year |
| Application Opens (Short-term) | Twice per year |
| Application Deadline (Long-term) | August 28, 2026 (by 5 p.m. (JST)) |
| Application Deadline (Short-term) | April 23, 2027 (by 5 p.m. (JST)) |
| Shortlisting / Review | To be Determined |
| Notification of Results | To be Determined |
| Fellowship Begins | Varies by applicant and host arrangement |
Visit the JSPS official website or contact the Overseas Fellowship Division for the current year’s application schedule. The schedule for long-term and short-term programmes differs and is updated annually.
Application Deadline
The exact deadline dates for the long-term fellowship tracks is August 28, 2026 (by 5 p.m. (JST)) while for short term is April 23, 2027 (by 5 p.m. (JST)). The long-term programme accepts applications once per year, while the short-term programme has two recruitment rounds per year.
To get the current and confirmed deadline, visit the official JSPS Invitational Fellowships page or contact the Overseas Fellowship Division directly at invitation@jsps.go.jp or by phone at +81-3-3263-2480.
Applications submitted after the stated deadline will NOT be accepted. Since the application is submitted by your host researcher, make sure you give them ample time to prepare and submit all required materials well before the closing date.
Selection Criteria
JSPS evaluates applications based on the academic and scientific merit of the proposed collaborative research, as well as the qualifications of both the invited researcher and the host researcher. While the official selection rubric is reviewed internally by JSPS, the following factors are known to matter:
- Research track record: Your history of publications, grants, and academic contributions will be a key factor. Applicants with an excellent and verifiable record of research achievements are given priority.
- Relevance and quality of the research plan: The proposed collaborative research must be clearly articulated, academically rigorous, and demonstrate genuine value for both the overseas researcher and the Japanese research community.
- Alignment between host and guest researcher: The strength of the intellectual connection between you and your Japanese host matters. JSPS wants to see that the collaboration is meaningful and that both parties have complementary expertise.
- Host institution’s capacity: The host researcher and institution must demonstrate the ability to provide a suitable research environment throughout the fellowship, including laboratory access, facilities, and personnel support as needed.
- Career stage and academic standing: Your position must meet the required standards (professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or equivalent), or you must have held your doctorate for at least six years with a strong continuous research record.
- Contribution to Japan’s internationalisation: JSPS specifically seeks to advance science and promote academic internationalisation in Japan. Applications that demonstrate how the collaboration will advance these goals will be viewed favourably.
Important Tips
- Find your host researcher before anything else. This fellowship cannot proceed without a willing and eligible host in Japan. Invest time in identifying the right person and making a compelling first approach. Your research fit with theirs is the foundation of a strong application.
- Write a focused and specific research plan. Vague plans weaken applications. Be precise about what you want to study, how you will study it, what methods you will use, and what outcomes you expect. Show that you and your host have genuinely thought about this collaboration.
- Choose the right track for your situation. If you need a sustained period to conduct deep research, the long-term fellowship (two to ten months) is more appropriate. If your goal is targeted discussions, lectures, and exchanges, the short-term option (fourteen to sixty days) may suit you better.
- Give your host researcher enough lead time. The application is submitted by the host, and they have to go through their institution’s head before submission. Start conversations with potential hosts several months before the deadline to allow for proper preparation.
- Keep your CV and publications list current and complete. Your research achievements are central to the evaluation. Make sure your list of publications, conference presentations, and grants is fully up to date and clearly formatted before you hand it to your host.
- Clarify the financial terms before you begin. If you are already living in Japan or plan to arrive before the fellowship officially starts, note that your outbound airfare and settling-in allowance will not be covered. Plan your finances accordingly.
- Use the JSPS contact channels if you have questions. The Overseas Fellowship Division can be reached at invitation@jsps.go.jp or +81-3-3263-2480. Do not guess if you are unsure about eligibility or documentation. Ask directly.
- Look at past fellows and their research. JSPS maintains a list of former fellows on its website. Reviewing this list can help you understand the kinds of researchers and projects that have been selected, and give you a sense of the standard expected.
- Check the application schedule early. Long-term recruitment happens once a year and short-term twice a year. Missing a cycle could mean waiting months for the next opportunity. Confirm the current schedule as early as possible by visiting the JSPS website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I apply directly to JSPS as an overseas researcher?
No. The application is submitted by a host researcher in Japan on your behalf. Your role is to identify a suitable host, prepare the required documents, and support your host through the submission process. You cannot apply independently.
Can I choose which institution in Japan I visit?
Yes, in practice. You and your prospective host agree on the collaboration, and then the host applies to JSPS to invite you to their institution. The institution must be on JSPS’s list of eligible host institutions.
What is the difference between the long-term and short-term fellowships?
The long-term fellowship lasts between two and ten months and is aimed at deep collaborative research. The short-term fellowship lasts between fourteen and sixty days and is more suited to targeted activities like discussions, lectures, and opinion exchanges. The financial support structure also differs: long-term provides a monthly allowance, while short-term provides a daily rate.
Can Japanese nationals apply for this fellowship?
Yes, but only under specific conditions. A person of Japanese nationality is eligible if they have been living outside Japan for ten or more years at the time of application and have been recognised as playing an active role in that country’s scientific community by a Japanese host institution.
What happens if I am already living in Japan when the fellowship starts?
If you already have a mailing address in Japan before the fellowship start date, the outbound portion of your airfare and the settling-in allowance will not be provided. You will still receive the maintenance allowance and other applicable benefits.
Is there an age limit for applicants?
No age limit is mentioned in the official programme information. Eligibility is based on your academic position and research record, not your age.
How competitive is the selection process?
JSPS publishes a selection ratio on its website, which gives an indication of competition levels. The programme receives applications from researchers worldwide, and standards are high. A strong and specific research proposal, combined with an excellent track record, significantly improves your chances.
Can the fellowship be extended beyond the stated duration?
The official information does not address extensions. Contact JSPS directly at invitation@jsps.go.jp for clarification on this point.
Official Link
Visit the official JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan page for the application guidelines, current schedule, and electronic application system:
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-inv/index.html
For direct enquiries, contact:
Overseas Fellowship Division International Program Department Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Kojimachi Business Center Building, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan Phone: +81-3-3263-2480 Email: invitation@jsps.go.jp
