Apply for Japanese Studies Fellowship Program (United States)

Priority Areas

• Doctoral Fellowship: higher priority will be given to those who are expected to submit their dissertation shortly after the completion of the Fellowship, and to those who show promise of future achievement as Scholars of Japanese Studies.
• Research Fellowship (Long-Term): higher priority will be given to relatively junior scholars and researchers, and to those with less research experience in Japan.
• Research Fellowship (Short-Term): higher priority will be given to relatively experienced scholars and researchers who are expected to publish their research results shortly after the completion of their Fellowship.

Categories

• The minimum and maximum durations for the Fellowship are indicated in parentheses.
  • Scholars and Researchers (Long-Term) (4-12 months): Scholars and researchers in the humanities or social sciences. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience at the time of application.
  • Scholars and Researchers (Short-Term) (21-89 days): Scholars and researchers in the humanities or social sciences who need to conduct intensive research in Japan. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience at the time of application.
  • Doctoral Candidates (4-12 months): Doctoral candidates in the humanities or social sciences. Applicants must have achieved ABD status by the time the Fellowship begins.

Funding Information

• Research and Doctoral Fellowships
  • International Airline Ticket: Discount economy class airline ticket to and from Japan (most direct and economical route)
  • Certificate of Health: Up to JPY50,000
  • Insurance: Traveler’s insurance policy
  • Settling-in allowance: JPY250,000
  • Departure allowance: JPY50,000
  • Monthly stipend (covering living and research expenses)
    • Research Fellows (Long Term): JPY400,000
    • Doctoral Fellows: JPY310,000
  • Dependent allowance: JPY10,000/month for each dependent
  • Dependent Insurance: Provided by JF
  • Enrollment fees: Up to JPY25,000/month
• Research Fellowship (Short-Term)
  • International Airline Ticket: Discount economy class airline ticket to and from Japan (most direct and economical route)
  • Insurance: Traveler’s insurance policy
  • Stipend: JPY17,000/day

Eligibility Criteria

• Basic Eligibility Requirements are as follows:
  • Applicants must be American citizens, American citizens temporarily residing abroad, or permanent residents of the United States.
  • Americans who hold U.S. citizenship and permanent resident status in another country in which they are residing (except for Japan) should upload their application documents to a different Online Application Portal.
  • Applicants residing in the United States who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents should upload their application documents to the Online Application Portal.
  • Doctoral Candidates must have achieved ABD status by the time the Fellowship begins.
  • Applicants for the Scholars and Researchers program (both Long-Term and Short-Term) must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience in research, teaching and writing in the fields of the humanities or social sciences at the time of application.
  • Previous recipients of Japan Foundation Fellowships, such as the Japanese Studies Fellowship, Abe Fellowship, etc., are eligible to reapply only if, on April 1, 2025, a full three years have elapsed since the termination of their most recent Fellowship. Previous Short-Term Research Fellows may reapply after one full year from the termination of their most recent Fellowship.
  • Applicants must have the capacity to conduct research activities required for the Fellowship program.
  • Applicants must be proficient in either Japanese or English.
  • Applicants must secure all affiliation arrangements by the application deadline.
  • In principle, applicants must be able to stay continuously in Japan for the term of the Fellowship.
  • Applicants may receive funding through only one Fellowship sponsored by the Japan Foundation during any one Japanese fiscal year, which runs from April 1 through March 31.
  • Applicants may only apply to one category of the Fellowship Program. Multiple applications from the same applicant will make all applications invalid.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals meeting any of the following conditions are not eligible to apply:
  • Scholars or researchers in the natural sciences, medicine or engineering
  • Undergraduates; Master’s degree candidates; those intending to enroll in Undergraduate or Master’s courses at universities in Japan; or graduates intending to enroll in Ph.D. courses in Japan
  • Those who intend to use the Fellowship for political or religious purposes
  • Those who primarily intend to enhance their Japanese language ability or technical skills
  • Those who intend to develop and/or produce Japanese language teaching materials;
  • Those who intend to acquire artistic training in the area of Japanese traditional culture (tea ceremony, flower arrangement, etc.)
  • Those who plan to receive other grants covering expenses for travel to and accommodation in Japan concurrently with the Fellowship
  • Those who will have been in Japan continuously for at least one year between April 1, 2024 and April 1, 2025.

Selection Criteria

• Project quality is evaluated on the basis of the following:
  • The project’s significance to the field and to the applicant’s professional development
  • The project’s feasibility in terms of time and resources
  • The securing of appropriate affiliation
  • Evidence that residence in Japan is necessary for completion of the project
  • Plans to disseminate research findings, etc., in Japan and abroad.

For more information, visit Japan Foundation.