JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Short-Term Program) for Research in Japan 2026

Omran Aburayya
May 14
3 min read

If you are a young researcher from North America or Europe with a doctoral degree—or close to obtaining one—and you’re seeking an exceptional opportunity to engage in advanced research in Japan, the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Short-Term Program - PE) 2026 is now accepting applications. This prestigious fellowship offers generous financial support, access to world-class research facilities, and a chance to collaborate with top Japanese researchers across a wide range of disciplines.

Whether you're in natural sciences, social sciences, or the humanities, this program is your gateway to building strong academic networks and gaining valuable international research experience in Japan.

🗒️ Fellowship Summary

Location: Japan
Host Institution: Japanese universities and designated research institutions
Academic Level: Postdoctoral (including current PhD candidates expected to graduate within 2 years)
Target Group: Citizens or permanent residents of the US, Canada, EU member countries, UK, Switzerland, Norway, and Russia
Fields of Study: All fields of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences
Award Value and Coverage:
- Round-trip international airfare
- Monthly stipend of ¥362,000 (PhD holders) or ¥200,000 (doctoral candidates)
- Settling-in allowance of ¥200,000 (for stays 3 months or longer)
- Overseas travel insurance
- Research support allowance up to ¥70,000/month (applied for by host)
Duration: 1 to 12 months
Application Deadline: Three recruitment periods (Exact deadlines to be announced):
- 1st Call: Expected September 2025
- 2nd Call: Expected January 2026
- 3rd Call: Expected June 2026
Start Date: Fellowships to begin between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027
Eligible to: Early-career researchers who obtained their PhD within 6 years or are expected to receive their degree within 2 years

🎓 Fellowship Overview

The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Short-Term Program - PE) is a competitive program designed to promote international academic collaboration by inviting young researchers from Europe and North America to conduct short-term research in Japan. The program is flexible in length and multidisciplinary in scope.

What to Expect?

The fellowship is hosted at Japanese universities or research institutions under the guidance of a Japanese academic supervisor.
Research activities are expected to be collaborative and contribute meaningfully to the fellow's ongoing academic development.
Fellows are encouraged to participate in seminars, workshops, and institutional activities to deepen cultural and professional ties with Japan.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Full airfare: A round-trip international airline ticket from the fellow’s home country to Japan.
Monthly living allowance:
- ¥362,000 for holders of a doctoral degree
- ¥200,000 for doctoral candidates yet to obtain their degree
Settling-in allowance: One-time payment of ¥200,000 for fellows staying 3 months or longer.
Overseas travel insurance: Fully covered by JSPS.
Research support allowance: Up to ¥70,000 per month, requested by the host researcher to support research-related expenses such as materials and travel.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

Be a citizen or permanent resident of one of the eligible countries (U.S., Canada, EU countries, UK, Switzerland, Norway, or Russia).
Have received a PhD within 6 years prior to the fellowship start date or be enrolled in a doctoral program and expected to graduate within 2 years.
Not have previously conducted research in Japan under a JSPS fellowship.
Not be residing in Japan at the time of application (otherwise airfare and settling allowance will not be provided).
Be hosted by a full-time researcher affiliated with an eligible Japanese research institution.

Application Procedure

There are two pathways to apply for this fellowship:

1. Via Japanese Host Researcher (Open Call)

The host researcher in Japan submits the application to JSPS on behalf of the candidate.
This is the most common route and requires the fellow to coordinate closely with the potential host institution (See list here).

2. Via Nominating Authorities in Home Country

Applications are submitted through JSPS-designated organizations in the fellow’s home country.
Check the JSPS website for the list of nominating authorities.

📂 Documents Required

Completed application form (prepared jointly with host)
Curriculum Vitae
List of publications
PhD certificate or proof of expected graduation
Invitation letter or acceptance from host institution
Research plan and schedule
Recommendation letter (in some cases)

ℹ️ Extra Information

Applicants should start identifying and contacting potential host researchers early, ideally at least 3–4 months before the application deadline.
The research host must be affiliated with an institution approved by JSPS and be a full-time researcher.
Applications are highly competitive and are evaluated based on academic merit, research potential, and the strength of the proposed collaboration.

🕵🏻 For updates, deadlines, and detailed application guidance, visit the official JSPS fellowship page.