Japanese Studies Fellowship Program

Eligible Fields of Research

• Humanities and Social Sciences

Categories

There are three categories within this program:

• Scholars and Researchers (Long-Term) (4 to 12 months): Scholars and researchers who have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent professional experience at the time of application, and are conducting research related to Japan (comparative research included) using methods from the humanities and social sciences, whose projects require them to travel to Japan to carry out research over a long period of time.
• Scholars and Researchers (Short-Term) (21 to 89 days): Scholars and researchers who have a Ph.D. degree or equivalent professional experience at the time of application, and are conducting research related to Japan (comparative research included) using methods from the humanities and social sciences, whose projects require them to travel to Japan to carry out research, gather materials, etc., intensively over a short period of time.
• Doctoral Candidates (4 to12 months): Ph.D. candidates conducting research related to Japan (comparative research included) using methods from the humanities and social sciences, who have completed (or will have completed by the beginning of the Fellowship) the necessary course work, and find it necessary to visit Japan to complete their dissertations.

Benefits

• Scholars and Researchers (Long-Term) and Doctoral Candidates
  • Benefits provided once:
    • Airfare: Round-trip discount economy-class airfare (the most direct route between the applicant’s location and Japan) (Fellows already in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship will receive only a one-way ticket for their return flight);
    • Settling-in allowance: 250,000 yen (in principle, Fellows already in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship are not eligible for this allowance);
    • Departure allowance: 50,000 yen (in principle, Fellows who are to remain in Japan after their Fellowship is complete are not eligible for this allowance)
    • Certificate of health: Up to 50,000 yen
    • Insurance: Overseas traveler’s insurance policy
  • Monthly benefits
    • Monthly stipend (covering living and research expenses):
      • Scholars and Researchers (Long-Term): 400,000 yen
      • Doctoral Candidates: 310,000 yen
    • Accompanying dependent allowance (if applicable): 10,000 yen/person
    • Enrollment fees (if applicable): Up to 25,000 yen
• Scholars and Researchers (Short-Term)
  • Per Diem: 17,000 yen/day
  • Airfare: Round-trip discount economy-class airfare (the most direct route between the applicant’s location and Japan) (Fellows already in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship will receive only a one-way ticket for their return flight.)
  • Certificate of health: Up to 50,000 yen
  • Insurance: Overseas traveler’s insurance policy.

Eligible Applicants

• Applicants must hold nationality or permanent residency in countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan;
  • Taiwanese applicants, including permanent residents of Taiwan, are eligible to apply for “Scholars and Researchers (Long-Term)” or “Doctoral Candidates”.
• Applicants must secure all arrangements with advisors/research associates in Japan by the application deadline;
• Applicants must be in good enough health to carry out activities and proficient in either p. 2 [RJS-FW 2024] Japanese or English for research activities and communication;
• In principle, applicants must be able to stay continuously in Japan for the term of the Fellowship;
• Previous recipients of Japan Foundation Fellowships (not only the Japanese Studies Fellowships but also all the other Fellowships of the Japan Foundation) are eligible to reapply only if, on April 1, 2024, a full three years has elapsed since the termination of their most recent Fellowship. Previous “Scholars and Researchers (Short-Term)” Fellows are eligible to reapply only if, on April 1, 2024, one full year has elapsed since the termination of their most recent Fellowship.

Ineligible Applicants

• Applicants 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 program for political or religious purposes;
• Those who primarily intend to enhance their Japanese-language ability or industry-related technical skills;
• Those who intend to develop and/or produce Japanese-language teaching materials;
• Those who mainly intend to acquire artistic training in the area of Japanese traditional culture (tea ceremony, flower arrangement, etc.);
• Those who plan to receive other grants/scholarships/fellowships covering expenses for travel to and accommodation in Japan concurrently with the Fellowship;
• Those who have been in Japan continuously for more than a year dating back from April 1, 2024;
• Those who apply for any other grant program of the Japan Foundation.

For more information, visit Japan Foundation.