The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) has officially opened applications for its prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan under the FY2027 (2027–2028) cycle. This is one of the most respected international fellowship programs in Japan, offering postdoctoral researchers from across the globe the chance to conduct advanced research alongside leading Japanese scholars at top universities and research institutions.
If you are a postdoctoral researcher looking to build international research experience, collaborate with expert host researchers, and immerse yourself in Japan’s world class academic environment, this fellowship is worth serious consideration. For more BS, MS,Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
About the JSPS Fellowship Program:
JSPS runs several categories of international fellowships aimed at strengthening global research collaboration and advancing science both in Japan and abroad. The Postdoctoral Fellowships fall under two main tracks.
- Standard [P] Fellowship, designed for excellent postdoctoral researchers from any country
- Short term [PE] Fellowship, designed for pre and post doctoral researchers from the US, Canada, and Europe
This article focuses on the Standard [P] Postdoctoral Fellowship, for which the first recruitment window of FY2027 is now open.
All fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences are eligible under this program, making it accessible to researchers from an extremely wide range of academic backgrounds.
Key Details:
- Program Name: JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Standard)
- Recruitment Round: 1st Recruitment, FY2027
- Application Deadline: August 28, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time
- Selection Results Announced: Late December 2026
- Fellowship Arrival Window: April 1, 2027 to September 30, 2027
- Fellowship Duration: 12 to 24 months
- Application Mode: Online only, through the JSPS Electronic Application System, submitted via a host institution in Japan
Purpose of the Fellowship:
The program is designed to give excellent postdoctoral researchers from other countries the opportunity to conduct cooperative research under the mentorship of a host researcher within a leading Japanese research group. Applicants cannot apply individually. Instead, the process is coordinated jointly between the candidate (the invited overseas researcher) and an applicant, who is the host researcher based in Japan.
Who Can Apply:
Eligibility applies to both the host researcher (called the applicant) and the invited overseas researcher (called the candidate). Both must meet specific conditions.
Host Researcher (Applicant) Eligibility
- Must be affiliated with a research institution eligible under Japan’s KAKENHI Grants in Aid for Scientific Research framework, such as universities, inter university research institutes, MEXT affiliated institutions, or colleges of technology
- Must be a full time researcher, or judged by the host institution as capable of fulfilling equivalent responsibilities
- May submit up to three applications during this recruitment round
- Must not be planning to retire during the candidate’s proposed fellowship tenure
Candidate (Invited Overseas Researcher) Eligibility
- Must be a citizen of a country that holds diplomatic relations with Japan (Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers are also eligible under JSPS’s treatment)
- Must have obtained a doctoral degree within six years of April 1, 2027 (that is, on or after April 2, 2021), or be expected to receive a PhD before the fellowship start date
- Must not have previously held a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard or Pathway to University Positions in Japan categories)
- Foreign nationals who already reside in Japan on a Residence Card remain eligible, but Japanese citizens and foreign permanent residents of Japan are not eligible
- Special provisions apply for researchers whose six year window is affected by maternity or parental leave; these cases require separate documentation submitted through the host institution
Financial Support Provided:
Selected fellows receive generous support to cover their research stay in Japan.
- Roundtrip economy class airfare based on JSPS regulations
- Monthly maintenance allowance of JPY 362,000
- A one time settling in allowance of JPY 200,000
- Overseas travel insurance for the duration of the fellowship
- Optional Grant in Aid for JSPS Research Fellows, which can be separately applied for to cover research related expenses
Please note that fellows already residing in Japan before the fellowship start date, with an existing mailing address, will not receive the airfare or settling in allowance.
Application Documents Required:
The application process involves multiple forms, each with a designated preparer.
- Form 1, prepared by the host researcher, covering name, affiliated organization, research theme, fellowship duration, and the purpose and framework of the collaboration, entered directly into the electronic system
- Form 2, prepared by the candidate, covering curriculum vitae, research achievements, research plan, and career goals after the fellowship, submitted in Word format
- Letter of Recommendation, a one page letter written and signed by the candidate’s doctoral supervisor or another qualified referee, who must not be the same person as the host researcher
All documents must be submitted through the JSPS Electronic Application System, which becomes available roughly two months before the application deadline. Postal applications are not accepted under any circumstances.
Selection Process:
Applications go through a two stage evaluation.
- Stage one is a document review, conducted independently by six examiners per application
- Stage two is a panel review carried out by the JSPS International Program Committee
The selection criteria include the following considerations.
- Whether the collaboration will meaningfully advance science in Japan and the candidate’s home country
- Whether the research plan is concrete and has been discussed in advance between the candidate and host researcher
- Whether the host institution has an appropriate environment and infrastructure to support the candidate
- Whether diversity across nationality, host institution, and academic field has been reasonably maintained among selectees
- Whether examiner comments and reasoning, not just numerical scores, are taken into account
Final decisions fall into two categories only, selected or not selected. Unsuccessful applicants are informed of their approximate ranking (Non-selected A, B, or C) through the host researcher rather than directly by JSPS.
Important Notes for Applicants:
- Applicants may only apply for one of the [P], [L], or [S] categories per recruitment cycle, not multiple
- Each host researcher may submit a maximum of three applications for [P] and [PE] candidates in this recruitment round
- If a candidate is selected, their name, nationality, research theme, and host institution may be made publicly available on the JSPS website
- Selected fellows are expected to reside in Japan continuously throughout the tenure, with limited exceptions for medical or family reasons
- A submitted PhD diploma or degree certificate is required before the fellowship start date; late or missing submission can result in cancellation of the award
Why Consider This Fellowship:
Japan continues to be one of the world’s leading destinations for scientific and academic research, offering state of the art laboratories, strong institutional support, and access to some of the most accomplished researchers across every discipline. Beyond the research experience itself, fellows gain invaluable international exposure, an expanded professional network, and a fellowship credential that carries significant weight on a global academic CV.
For early career researchers looking to strengthen their research portfolio while contributing to meaningful international scientific collaboration, this JSPS fellowship represents an exceptional and fully funded opportunity.
How to Apply:
- Confirm your eligibility as either a host researcher or a candidate
- Identify and contact a potential host researcher in Japan if you are the candidate, since the application must be submitted jointly
- Prepare Form 2 and the Letter of Recommendation well ahead of the deadline
- Submit your application through the JSPS Electronic Application System before your host institution’s internal deadline, which may fall earlier than JSPS’s official deadline
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I apply for this fellowship on my own without a host researcher in Japan?
No. Applications must be submitted jointly by a host researcher based in Japan and the invited overseas researcher. Individual applications are not accepted.
Is there an age limit for applicants?
There is no explicit age limit. Instead, eligibility is based on how many years have passed since the candidate obtained their PhD, which must be within six years as of April 1, 2027.
Can Japanese citizens apply for this fellowship?
No. This particular fellowship track is intended for overseas researchers. Japanese citizens and foreign permanent residents of Japan are not eligible for the Standard [P] category.
What happens if my host institution sets an earlier deadline than JSPS?
You must follow your host institution’s internal deadline, which can be more than a month earlier than the official JSPS deadline of August 28, 2026.
Is the fellowship extendable beyond 24 months?
No. The maximum duration is capped at 24 months, and the fellowship period cannot be split into multiple separate stays in Japan.
Will I need to submit my PhD certificate before starting the fellowship?
Yes. Selected candidates must submit their diploma or doctoral degree certificate to JSPS before the fellowship begins. Failure to do so can lead to cancellation or withdrawal of the award.
