Call for Submissions: Research Fellowship Program

The main purpose of the MIF is to provide young researchers who are passionate about contributing to solving the various issues facing their home countries with opportunities to learn from the scientific and technological knowledge that has been cultivated in Japan.

Features

• This program is intended for young overseas researchers showing significant academic ability, regardless of sex, race, religion, ideology, or creed.
• Fellows are free to choose a host institution in Japan.
• Subject of research is left to the discretion of the fellows and their host professors/scholars.
• The fellows will take part in the study tour during their research stay. This tour is organized to contact the traditional culture and technology of Japan. It also gives the fellows opportunities to think about the importance of the peaceful use of technologies and science.

Benefits

• Round-trip Air Transportation
  • Round-trip economy class airfare is provided between the nearest international airport from a grantee’s domicile and Tokyo, Japan.
• Insurance
  • Overseas travel insurance with medical treatment and death benefits is provided.
• Study Tour
  • The MIF invites fellowship recipients to participate in a study tour during their fellowship to deepen their knowledge of Japan.

Funding Information

• A monthly allowance of JPY 220,000 is provided to cover expenses for research activities (including materials) and living expenses in Japan.
• As a rule, six months between June 2026 to March 2027. Please indicate the commencing and ending month in your Application Form. (E.g., From September 2026 to February 2027.)

Eligibility Criteria

• Each year they invite young researchers from around the globe to Japan.
• Applicants of non-Japanese nationality who meet all the following requirements are eligible to submit application documents.
• Applicants who empathize with the core values of the MIF.
• Applicants must obtain acceptance from a host institution in Japan before application.
• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (Doctoral Degree) at the time of application.
• Applicants must be at the age of 45 years old or younger at the time of application. (The birth year must be in or after 1980.)
• Applicants must have sufficient English or Japanese language ability.
• Applicants should not have past or current experiences of staying in Japan. (other than short-term stays such as for sightseeing or conferences).
• Applicants must have an occupation in their home countries, return there upon completing their fellowship tenure, and contribute to the development of their own country.
• Research Fields:
  • Preferable research fields are natural science, engineering, medicine, etc.

Application Requirements

• The following documents must be submitted as PDFs to the MIF via e-mail. Please do not combine all documents into one PDF.
• All documents must be typed in English. Neither inadequate documents will be accepted nor subject to screening.
• The following will be automatically rejected without notice:
  • Emails over 5 MB in size.
  • Emails with attachments with file extensions other than “PDF.”
  • Emails with attachments in any compressed format such as “zip” or “rar.”
  • Emails including any program files or downloadable links.

For more information, visit MIF.