RFPs: Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship Program

Deadline: 01-Dec-2026

The Japanese Studies Fellowship Program supports overseas doctoral candidates and researchers in the humanities and social sciences who wish to conduct research in Japan. The program promotes Japanese studies internationally by giving scholars the opportunity to undertake Japan-focused or comparative research, access academic resources, conduct fieldwork, and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese society, culture, and history. The fellowship is intended for scholars who need to spend time in Japan to complete doctoral research, collect research materials, participate in academic exchange, or advance their studies through direct engagement with Japanese institutions and communities.

About the Japanese Studies Fellowship Program

The Japanese Studies Fellowship Program provides financial and research support to eligible scholars from overseas. By enabling researchers to work in Japan, the program encourages international academic exchange and strengthens the study of Japan in the humanities and social sciences. The fellowship can support both Japan-focused research and comparative research projects. Researchers may use their stay in Japan to conduct fieldwork, gather academic materials, engage with scholars and institutions, and develop a stronger understanding of Japanese history, culture, society, and related subjects. Who Can Apply? The program is designed for two main categories of applicants: - Doctoral candidates who have completed the necessary coursework and require a research stay in Japan to complete their dissertations. - Researchers who hold a Ph.D. or have equivalent professional experience and need to conduct research, collect materials, or participate in academic exchange activities in Japan. Applicants must meet the program’s nationality, residency, academic, language, and health requirements. Fellowship Duration The duration depends on the applicant category and research requirements. Doctoral Candidates Doctoral candidates can receive support for a stay of approximately 4 to 12 months in Japan. The fellowship is intended for candidates who have completed the required coursework and need time in Japan to complete their dissertation research. Researchers Researchers with a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience may receive fellowship support for periods ranging from 21 days to 12 months. The stay can be used for activities such as: - Conducting research in Japan - Collecting research materials - Carrying out fieldwork - Participating in academic exchange - Engaging with Japanese scholars and research institutions What Financial Support Is Provided? Selected fellows receive financial assistance to help cover the costs associated with their research stay in Japan.

The support includes:

- Round-trip international airfare in discount economy class - A fellowship stipend - Other applicable allowances These benefits are designed to help fellows manage the costs of travelling to and staying in Japan while undertaking their approved research activities. Research Areas The fellowship focuses on the humanities and social sciences, particularly research that contributes to the understanding and development of Japanese studies.

Eligible research may be:

- Focused specifically on Japan - Comparative in nature, involving Japan and another country or region - Related to Japanese society, culture, or history - Based on fieldwork or the collection of research materials in Japan - Connected with academic exchange and scholarly research Applicants should have a clear research purpose that explains why conducting the proposed work in Japan is important to their project.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the program’s eligibility conditions.

Generally, applicants must:

- Hold citizenship or lawful permanent resident status in a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. - Reside in a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. - Complete all required affiliation arrangements by the application deadline. - Demonstrate proficiency in Japanese or English. - Be in good health. - Meet the academic or professional requirements for their applicant category. Doctoral candidates must have completed the necessary coursework before applying for the fellowship. Researchers must hold a Ph.D. or possess equivalent professional experience, as applicable to the program requirements. Affiliation in Japan Applicants must secure the necessary affiliation arrangements in Japan by the application deadline. This is an important part of preparing an application because the proposed research may require access to Japanese universities, research institutions, libraries, archives, scholars, or other academic resources. Applicants should therefore plan their research and affiliation arrangements well in advance. Previous Japan Foundation Fellowship Recipients Previous recipients of Japan Foundation Fellowships may be eligible to apply again, but they must observe the required waiting period following their previous fellowship. Applicants who have previously received a Japan Foundation Fellowship should therefore check whether the required period has elapsed before submitting a new application. Who Is Not Eligible? The program does not support every academic discipline or study level. The following applicants are not eligible: - Scholars working in the natural sciences - Researchers in medicine - Researchers in engineering - Undergraduate students - Master’s degree candidates - Applicants intending to enroll in undergraduate courses in Japan - Applicants intending to enroll in master’s courses in Japan The fellowship is specifically intended to support Japanese studies and related humanities and social sciences research rather than degree enrollment at the undergraduate or master’s level. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should clearly explain the academic importance of their proposed research in Japan.

A strong application should demonstrate:

- A clear