The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) funds early-career postdoctoral researchers from overseas to conduct 12–24 months of cooperative research with leading research groups at Japanese universities and research institutions, across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The fellowship pays a monthly maintenance allowance of JPY 362,000, a JPY 200,000 settling-in allowance, round-trip airfare and overseas travel insurance.
Why it is notable: One of Japan's most prestigious postdoctoral awards with ~120 awards per open-call round; the candidate never applies directly — the Japanese host researcher/host institution submits the application to JSPS. The FY2027 cycle has two recruitment rounds: the 1st round (deadline 28 August 2026) is closed; the 2nd round (deadline 23 April 2027, 5:00 p.m. JST) is the live route.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Round-trip economy-class air ticket (per JSPS regulations; not paid for candidates already staying in Japan before the fellowship start date with a mailing address in Japan)
Maintenance allowance of JPY 362,000 per month
Settling-in allowance of JPY 200,000 (not paid for candidates already residing in Japan before the start date)
Overseas travel insurance
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellows) to cover cooperative research-related expenses — applied for by the host researcher through their institution
Note: amounts are subject to change for budgetary reasons (per the official guidelines)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Doctorate/PhDfor Postdoc
This fellowship is offered for Postdoctoral research in Japan.
Who can apply
Citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan (JSPS treats Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers in the same manner). Japanese citizens and foreign nationals with permanent residence in Japan are NOT eligible. Foreigners who earned their doctorate from a Japanese university and/or reside in Japan with a Residence Card are eligible.
Experience
No experience required (early-career postdoctoral scheme; employment status — full-time or not — is not considered).
Language Certificate
No language certificate required by the official guidelines. The fellowship is offered in English or Japanese; the official application language is English.
Other Certificates
The PhD diploma/certificate is not required at application — a selected fellow must submit it to arrive at JSPS before the fellowship begins. Applications must be in English (non-English originals need an English translation, which does not need to be official).
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
citizens of countries with diplomatic relations with Japan (Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers treated as eligible); Japanese citizens and permanent…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
doctorate obtained on or after 2 April 2021 (within six years as of 1 April 2027), or expected before the fellowship start; maternity/parental leave deducted from the window
02
Documents
FY2027 application form; signed host acceptance/invitation letter; supervisor recommendation letter; PhD diploma/certificate (or expected-award letter); all in English
03
References
one letter of recommendation from the doctoral supervisor or equivalent (not the host researcher), signed (handwriting-style fonts not accepted)
04
Host
a Japanese host researcher at an eligible institution who submits the application to JSPS on the candidate's behalf; JSPS does not introduce hosts
05
Language
no certificate required; programme runs in English or Japanese
06
Fee
no application fee — completely free
Document checklist
01FY2027 application form for the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard) (completed by the candidate)
02Letter of acceptance/invitation from the prospective host researcher in Japan (signed, preferably on institutional letterhead)
03Letter of recommendation from the candidate's doctoral supervisor or equivalent person (not the host researcher; must be signed — a signature typed in a handwriting-style font is not accepted)
04PhD degree diploma or certificate (or, if not yet awarded, a signed letter from the candidate's institution stating the date the degree will officially be awarded)
05All documents in English (translations need not be official)
Application fee
No fee — completely free (no fee is stated anywhere in the official guidelines)
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Japan — Researcher visa ("Researcher" status of residence) or the Highly Skilled Professional visa; the specific category depends on the fellowship arrangement and the host institution's sponsorship.
Application Procedure
10 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Secure a host researcher in Japan first
contact prospective host researchers at eligible Japanese universities/research institutions and agree on a cooperative research plan. JSPS does not find or introduce host researchers.
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02
Prepare the application package with the host
FY2027 application form (completed by the candidate), letter of acceptance/invitation from the host researcher (signed, preferably on institutional letterhead), letter of recommendation from the doctoral supervisor or eq
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03
For the open call
the Japanese host researcher submits the completed application to JSPS through their host institution before the recruitment deadline. For nominating-authority routes: the candidate submits to a designated overseas nomin
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06
FY2027 application form for the JSPS Postdoctoral
Fellowship (Standard) (completed by the candidate)
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05
Start the fellowship in Japan within the
permitted window (2nd round: 1 September – 30 November 2027).
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04
JSPS screens and selects (approximately three months)
results are notified electronically to the host institution, and award letters are sent for successful candidates. Names, host researchers and research themes of successful candidates are posted on JSPS's website. Unsucc
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07
Letter of acceptance/invitation from the prospective host
researcher in Japan (signed, preferably on institutional letterhead)
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08
Letter of recommendation from the candidate's doctoral
supervisor or equivalent person (not the host researcher; must be signed — a signature typed in a handwriting-style font is not accepted)
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09
PhD degree diploma or certificate (or
if not yet awarded, a signed letter from the candidate's institution stating the date the degree will officially be awarded)
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10
All documents in English (translations need not
be official)
Application milestones
23 Apr 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official eligible Japanese universities and research… platform.
What are the FY2027 application deadlines? A: The Standard programme has two open-call recruitments: the 1st round closed 28 August 2026 (5 p.m. JST); the 2nd round deadline is 23 April 2027 (5 p.m. JCan I apply directly to JSPS? A: No — candidates cannot submit directly. The Japanese host researcher submits the application through their institution (open call), or the candidate applies through a Do I need my PhD diploma at the time of application? A: No — researchers who have not yet formally received the doctorate can be nominated if they are expected to receive it before the fellowship starHow much funding do fellows receive? A: Round-trip airfare, JPY 362,000/month maintenance allowance, JPY 200,000 settling-in allowance, and overseas travel insurance; the host may also apply for a GraWho is eligible? A: Citizens of countries with diplomatic relations with Japan (Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers treated as eligible) who hold or will hold a doctorate within the six-year window;Can I re-apply or apply twice in one year? A: Researchers previously awarded and started a Standard (P) or PU fellowship are not eligible; only one application per candidate per fiscal year per prograMust I stay in Japan for the whole fellowship? A: Yes — fellows are in principle obligated to reside in Japan continuously during the fellowship; the 12–24 month tenure may not be divided into multiplWhat if my degree documents are not in English? A: All documents must be in English; non-English originals need an English translation, which does not need to be official.
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