Fellowship•Japan · Kyoto

CSEAS Fellowship (Visiting Research Scholar Program)

Funding

Fully Funded · Grant

Program dates

Mar 1, 2027

The CSEAS Fellowship (Visiting Research Scholar Program) is run by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University in Japan. It brings accomplished scholars to Kyoto for three to six months to pursue independent research on Southeast Asia, drawing on the center’s library, archives, and academic community. Fourteen fellowships are awarded across the center’s programs each year; up to five fellowships, including one librarian post, open on staggered start dates from March through June. Fellows join as visiting research scholars and are treated as employees of Kyoto University for the duration of their term.

Benefits & funding

  • A stipend covering international travel and living expenses in Kyoto.
  • Research funds to support the fellow’s work; domestic travel support is provided subject to government regulations.
  • Office space, library and archive access, and integration into the CSEAS academic community.
  • Treated as an employee of Kyoto University for the fellowship period.
  • No fixed monetary amount is published by the center.

Eligibility

  • Open to scholars of any nationality.
  • Must hold a PhD; applicants without a PhD are ineligible unless a CSEAS faculty member grants prior approval.
  • Must be accomplished scholars of high standing.
  • Under 65 years of age at the time of appointment; older applicants are considered only in exceptional cases.
  • Not open to individuals currently enrolled in a graduate degree program or engaged in postdoctoral studies.
  • Former CSEAS fellows may reapply only after six years have passed since completing a previous fellowship.

Application process

  1. 1
    Complete the online application form linked on the program page.
  2. 2
    Email a CV (maximum five pages, including a publication list), a research plan (maximum two pages, double-spaced), and two recommendation letters on institutional letterhead to grants@cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
  3. 3
    Await the selection decision.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline for the 2027 fellowships

    Apr 30, 2026

  2. Applicants notified of their status

    End of July 2026

  3. Staggered fellowship start dates

    Mar 1, 2027 to Jun 1, 2027