Purpose

This scholarship aims to provide opportunities for pre/post-doctoral researchers from the ASEAN member countries (*) to conduct cooperative research under the guidance of their hosts cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions. This program is intended to help advance the overseas researchers’ research activities while advancing science and promoting internationalization in Japan.

*Eligible countries are ASEAN member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam)

FIELDS OF RESEARCH

DURATION OF FELLOWSHIPS

• 1 to 12 months as agreed upon by the applicant and the host researcher
• This fellowship is provided in full month units.
• Conditions
  • The fellowship begins when a fellow arrives at a Japanese airport from abroad and ends when they depart from a Japanese airport. This condition does not apply to fellows already residing in Japan before or after the fellowship.
  • The fellowship period may span across different fiscal years, depending on when it starts.
  • Fellows must stay continuously in Japan for the entire duration of the fellowship.
  • The fellowship duration cannot be divided into multiple stays.

STARTING DATE

Fellows must start their Fellowship in Japan during the period of 1 April 2026– 31 March 2027

ELIGIBILITY

• Eligibility criteria for applicants:

• Category
  1	National of ASEAN member countries with Ph.D. *1
  2	National of ASEAN member countries in doctor course. *2
  3	Non-national of ASEAN member countries with Ph.D. *1 *3
  4	Non-national of ASEAN member countries in doctor course. *2 *3

   
  • 1: Less than 6 years since obtaining Ph.D. in a country other than Japan
    2: Expected to obtain Ph.D. within 2 years in a country other than Japan
    3: Those who have been continuously engaged in research activities at a research institution in an ASEAN member country for at least three years.
• Conditions
  • Persons who have previously been awarded and started a fellowship under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan ([Standard (P)], [Short-term (PE)] , [Short-term (PA)] and [Pathway to University positions) in Japan (PU)]) are not eligible. This Short-term (PA) Fellowship is only awarded once per researcher.
  • Japanese citizens who are permanent residents of eligible countries are not eligible.
  • Researchers who have taken maternity or parental leave may have the time deducted from their research experience.

• Eligibility criteria for host researchers*:

  • Must be affiliated with a research institution eligible to apply for KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, JSPS) grants.
  • Must be full-time researchers, but exceptions may be made if the host institution can ensure uninterrupted program execution.
  • Eligible host institutions include universities, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-affiliated institutions, colleges of technology, and institutions designated by the Minister of MEXT.
  • Host researchers cannot change during the fellowship tenure. If it is known at the time of application that the host researcher will retire during a candidate’s fellowship tenure, they should not be a host researcher.

TERMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

• Financial support provided:
  • Airfare: Round-trip ticket based on JSPS regulations.
  • Monthly Allowance:
    • Ph.D. holders: 362,000 JPY per month.
    • Non-Ph.D. holders: 200,000 JPY per month.
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Settling-in allowance of 200,000 JPY for fellows with 3 or more months of tenure.
    • Overseas travel insurance.
• Monthly allowance:
  • 362,000 JPY for Ph.D. holders if their diploma is submitted before the fellowship starts. 200,000 JPY if no diploma is submitted.
  • If the diploma is submitted after the fellowship starts, the allowance increases from the following month, but past payments remain unchanged.
    • In the same regard, If you obtain a degree during the fellowship tenure, the fee can be changed to 362,000 JPY per month.
  • Candidates already in Japan before the fellowship's start date do not receive airfare or settling-in allowance.
  • Research support allowance available for cooperative research expenses, up to 70,000 JPY per month of tenure, applied for by the host researcher through their institution.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR PROGRAM

• Applications must be submitted through an overseas nominating authority to JSPS. The application process involves:
  • Candidates establish contact with prospective hosts in Japan.
    • Note: JSPS does not assist in finding or introducing host researchers or institutions. Applicants may seek guidance from the JSPS Alumni Association in their country.
    • Please find the contact list of JSPS Alumni Associations at https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-alumni/
  • Candidates submit applications via the ASEAN University Network web portal.
  • The application deadline for ASEAN member countries is 15 August 2025.
  • Nominating authorities conduct scientific evaluations and nominate selected candidates to JSPS by 1 December, 2025.
  • Around three months after nomination, JSPS notifies both candidates and nominating authorities of selection decisions.
• Applying through multiple nominating authorities or with different host researchers in the same fiscal year is not allowed.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Academic Background
  • Transcripts from Bachelor's to most recent degree
  • Ph.D. degree diploma or certificate.
  • If the Ph.D. has not yet been awarded, submit either
    • (1) a letter from the institution stating the expected award date, or
    • (2) a certificate of enrollment in a doctoral program indicating expected graduation within two years, along with a letter from your supervisor confirming the anticipated Ph.D. award within that timeframe.
      • Please note that the date of degree award must be based on the university’s official award date, not the date of defense or completion.
  • Recommendation letter from your current academic or employing institution
• Host Researcher in Japan
  • Letter of acceptance/invitation from the candidate's prospective host researcher in Japan, confirming acceptance during the fellowship tenure.
    • ***In the case which the candidate has not been in possession of this letter from the host at the time of applying for the scholarship, the candidate may submit their application without the letter and send a follow up email with the letter to the programme coordinator later once available. In this regard, the status of the candidate's application will be set as "pending" until the submission of the letter of acceptance.
    • In the case above, the letter of acceptance/invitation still must be submitted by 15 August 2025.

All documents must be in English. If in another language, include an English translation (not necessarily official, can be done by the host or the candidate).

• List of Major Publications (1 page), if any
  • The list includes:
    • Authors (all), title, Journal,  Vol.　, No　, pp.   -   , Month, Year
    • The list is to include your peer-reviewed papers that have been printed or are accepted for publication.
• Research Plan in Japan (2 pages)
  • Background of proposed research plan
  • Purpose of proposed research
  • Proposed plan
  • Expected results and impacts

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

• Application Form
• Application Guideline
• List of Eligible Host Institutes
• FAQ

IMPORTANT DATES

Submission Deadline: 15 August 2025

Result Announcement: February 2026

CONTACT

If you have any queries concerning the application, please contact secretariat@aunsec.org and bkk-postdoc@overseas.jsps.go.jp with the subject “JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan: ASEAN Submission”