Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship Program

Benefits & funding

• Round-trip international airfare (discount economy class).
• Monthly stipend for living and research costs: 310,000 yen for Doctoral Candidates, 400,000 yen for long-term Researchers.
• One-time settling-in allowance of 250,000 yen and departure allowance of 50,000 yen.
• Health certificate costs up to 50,000 yen, plus overseas traveler’s insurance.
• Accompanying dependent allowance of 10,000 yen per person a month, and enrollment fees up to 25,000 yen a month where applicable.
• Per diem of 17,000 yen a day.
• Round-trip international airfare (discount economy class) and overseas traveler’s insurance.
• Fellows already in Japan before the start receive only a one-way return ticket and, in principle, no settling-in allowance.
• Fellows find their own accommodation; the fellowship cannot be extended.

Eligibility

• Citizenship or lawful permanent residence in a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan, and residence in such a country.
• Anyone registered as a resident of Japan on 1 April 2027 must deregister for overseas relocation before the fellowship starts.
• Japan-related research (comparative work included) in the humanities or social sciences; the natural sciences, medicine and engineering are excluded.
• Doctoral Candidates: PhD candidates who have finished, or will finish by the start, all required coursework.
• Researchers: a PhD or equivalent professional experience at the time of application.
• All arrangements with an advisor or research associate in Japan secured by the deadline.
• Good health and working proficiency in Japanese or English.
• Able to stay in Japan continuously for the full term, arriving between 20 June 2027 and 20 March 2028.
• Past Japan Foundation fellows need three full years since their last fellowship ended, counted on 1 April 2027 (one year for past short-term fellows).
• Applicants from Taiwan, including permanent residents of Taiwan, may apply only as Doctoral Candidates or long-term Researchers.
• Applicants affiliated with institutions in Southeast Asia apply to the JF-JSA-ASEAN Fellowship Program instead.
• Not eligible: undergraduates, master’s candidates, and anyone planning to enroll in a degree course in Japan.
• Not eligible: projects mainly about language study, industry skills, teaching materials, traditional arts training, or political or religious aims.
• Not eligible: holders of other travel-and-accommodation funding for Japan over the same period, and applicants to any other Japan Foundation program except the JF-GJS, JF-Nichibunken and JF-CIJS-EAJS fellowships.

Application process

1. 1
   Secure an advisor or research associate at a host institution in Japan, who completes the Letter of Affiliation Form.
2. 2
   Download the FY2027 application kit (form RJS-FW) from the Japan Foundation grants page.
3. 3
   Complete the Application Form, Applicant Information, and a Project Information statement of up to two pages; Doctoral Candidates add official transcripts from every university attended.
4. 4
   Upload everything to the Japan Foundation Online Application Portal by 1 p.m. Japan time on 1 December 2026.
5. 5
   Send the portal’s referee link to two referees for their Reference Forms; Doctoral Candidates also need a Japanese-Language Ability Assessment Form.
6. 6
   U.S. citizens and permanent residents apply instead through the Japan Foundation, New York portal by 11:59 p.m. EST on 1 December 2026; applicants in Russia contact the Japan Foundation, Moscow first.

Program timeline

1. Application deadline (1 p.m. Japan time; 11:59 p.m. EST for U.S. applicants via the Japan Foundation, New York).

   1 December 2026

2. Results announced.

   By end of April 2027

3. Arrival window; the fellowship starts on the day of arrival in Japan.

   20 June 2027 to 20 March 2028