JF-Nichibunken Fellowship Program

Benefits & funding

• Monthly stipend of JPY 400,000, covering living and research expenses.
• Monthly dependent allowance of JPY 10,000 per certified accompanying dependent.
• Round-trip discount economy-class air ticket (only a one-way return ticket for Fellows already in Japan before the start).
• Settling-in allowance of JPY 250,000 and departure allowance of JPY 50,000; these are normally not paid to Fellows already living in Japan before the start or staying on after the end.
• Overseas traveler’s insurance arranged by the Japan Foundation.
• Shared office space, library, and computers at Nichibunken, plus a host advisor assigned by Nichibunken.
• Fellows may apply for a room at Nichibunken House at their own cost; a place is not guaranteed.
• The Fellowship cannot be extended beyond the approved term.

Eligibility

• A PhD held at the time of application and awarded within six years as of 1 April 2027, whatever the applicant’s current job status.
• Nationality or permanent residency in a country or area that has diplomatic relations with Japan. Applicants from Russia must first contact the Japan Foundation office in Moscow and follow its instructions.
• Research on Japanese culture from an international, interdisciplinary perspective, using humanities or social-science methods. Natural sciences, medicine, and engineering are excluded.
• Good health, working ability in Japanese or English, and the ability to stay in Japan continuously for the whole term.
• Not eligible: anyone who will have held resident status in Japan continuously for one year or more as of 1 April 2027, or who will hold another award covering travel to and living costs in Japan for the same period.
• Not eligible: projects aimed mainly at language or technical training, Japanese teaching materials, traditional arts training such as tea ceremony or flower arrangement, or political or religious ends.
• Applicants may not apply to other Japan Foundation invitation programs at the same time, except the Japanese Studies Fellowship (Scholars and Researchers, Long-Term) and the JF-JSA-ASEAN Fellowship (Researchers, Long-Term).

Application process

1. 1
   Download the FY2027 guidelines and application form from the Nichibunken fellowships page.
2. 2
   Complete the form in Japanese or English: background, a project summary of up to two pages with a timeline of activities in Japan, mid- to long-term goals, about 10 relevant publications, why Nichibunken, and your planned contribution to its international exchange.
3. 3
   Fill in the top box of two recommendation forms and send them to your referees: one research supervisor or head of your institution, and one person at an institution in Japan other than the Japan Foundation.
4. 4
   Email the signed application form to JF-Nichibunken@jpf.go.jp by 1 December 2026 (Japan time). Each referee emails a signed form directly to the same address by the same date.
5. 5
   Shortlisted applicants are invited by 15 January 2027 to an online interview of about 20 minutes in late January 2027. Final results arrive by email on 1 April 2027.

Program timeline

1. Application and both recommendation forms due (Japan time)

   1 December 2026

2. Interview invitations emailed to shortlisted applicants

   By 15 January 2027

3. Online interviews

   Late January 2027

4. Final results emailed

   1 April 2027

5. Fellowship must begin within this window

   1 September 2027 – 1 March 2028

6. 6–24 months after the start

   Fellowship ends, depending on the approved term