JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Overseas Researchers

Programme Overview

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowship invites outstanding researchers from around the world to collaborate with leading Japanese institutions. Fellows receive a monthly stipend, travel allowances, and research support to pursue projects lasting 12 to 24 months. The programme strengthens global networks, encourages knowledge exchange, and drives scientific innovation across disciplines such as life sciences, materials, information technology, environmental science, and humanities. Fellows work under the guidance of experienced host researchers who provide mentorship, laboratory access, and integration into Japanese academic communities.

Opportunity Snapshot

Eligibility and Selection Factors

JSPS assesses candidates based on academic excellence, research potential, and fit with host institutions. Strong applications include:

• Recent PhD completion. Applicants must have earned their doctorate within six years prior to the April 1 of the fellowship year, ensuring they are early-career researchers.
• Host commitment. The Japanese host researcher submits the application via their institution, providing letters of endorsement, research infrastructure details, and supervision plans.
• Research excellence. Provide a well-defined proposal outlining objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and how the collaboration advances both the applicant’s career and Japanese research priorities.
• International impact. Highlight how the fellowship will foster long-term partnerships, joint publications, conference presentations, and knowledge transfer between Japan and the researcher’s home country.

Application Roadmap

Fellowship Experience and Obligations

Fellows should integrate into host labs, attend seminars, and share knowledge through workshops or student mentoring. JSPS expects progress reports, publications acknowledging support, and exit summaries documenting achievements. Fellows may apply for research support grants to cover consumables or travel to conferences in Japan and abroad. Alumni often join the JSPS Fellows Network, which offers continued collaboration opportunities.

Tips and Tricks for a Strong Application

• Align research goals. Demonstrate synergy between the host lab’s expertise and your project, referencing complementary facilities or datasets.
• Show independence and leadership. Highlight how you will drive the project while benefiting from mentorship—reviewers favour applicants who can contribute fresh perspectives.
• Plan outreach. Include activities like joint seminars, public engagement, or bilingual publications that broaden the fellowship’s impact.
• Address feasibility. Provide realistic timelines, risk mitigation strategies, and backup plans for fieldwork or data collection.
• Leverage references. Choose referees who can speak to both your technical ability and collaborative mindset, emphasizing readiness for cross-cultural research.

Strengthening the Research Proposal and Collaboration Narrative

Structure your proposal with clear sections: background, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and career development. Use diagrams or workflow charts to illustrate experimental design or data pipelines. Discuss how Japanese facilities—synchrotrons, supercomputers, archives—provide unique opportunities that cannot be accessed elsewhere. If applicable, highlight complementary funding (e.g., JSPS KAKENHI grants, EU-Japan partnerships) that will boost resources.

Co-develop a memorandum of understanding with your host outlining shared responsibilities, intellectual property arrangements, and publication authorship norms. Demonstrating proactive alignment reduces reviewer concerns about project management. Include plans for reciprocal visits or future joint grant applications to show that the partnership will endure beyond the fellowship.

Cultural Integration and Professional Development Plans

JSPS values cultural exchange. Detail how you will engage with Japanese society—language study, outreach to local schools, or participation in university cultural clubs. Outline mentorship contributions, such as co-supervising graduate students, running methodology workshops, or launching journal clubs. For fields requiring fieldwork or community interaction, explain ethical considerations and collaboration with local stakeholders.

Create a professional development roadmap covering conference participation, teaching opportunities, and skill-building (e.g., entrepreneurship programmes, patent filing workshops). If you intend to commercialise research outcomes, discuss collaboration with Japanese industry clusters or innovation hubs.

Post-Fellowship Transition Strategy

Incorporate a reintegration plan that details how you will apply knowledge upon returning to your home institution. Secure letters from home universities or research centres confirming positions, lab space, or seed funding. Propose joint publications, double-degree programmes, or student exchanges that stem from the fellowship. JSPS appreciates fellows who act as long-term bridges, so mention how you will join JSPS alumni associations, host webinars, or support future applicants.

Establish data management and open science practices—repositories, preprint timelines, code sharing—to increase visibility. Outline how you will track impact metrics such as citations, collaborative grants, or policy influence resulting from the fellowship experience.