Fellowship•Japan

Matsumae International Foundation Research Fellowship

Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

TBA

The Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) Research Fellowship invites promising non-Japanese researchers to conduct an independent research stay at a host institution in Japan. Founded in 1979 by Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae — an electrical engineer, educator, and international judo leader — the foundation believes academic and cultural exchange advances world peace, and runs the program without discrimination by nationality, political system, or religion. Fellows pursue their own research with a host professor of their choosing and join an MIF-organized study tour to Hiroshima to deepen their understanding of Japan and the idea of world peace. Around 15 fellows are selected each year for a stay of six months scheduled between June 2027 and March 2028.

Benefits & funding

  • Monthly stipend of JPY 220,000 to cover research activities (including materials) and living expenses in Japan.
  • One-time arrival fund of JPY 120,000.
  • Round-trip economy-class airfare between the international airport nearest the fellow’s home and Tokyo, Japan.
  • Overseas travel insurance with medical-treatment and death benefits.
  • Accommodation arranged by the host professor.
  • An MIF-organized study tour to Hiroshima.

Eligibility

  • Non-Japanese nationality (open to all nationalities other than Japanese).
  • 45 years old or younger at the time of application (born in or after 1981).
  • Holds a Ph.D. at the time of application.
  • Should not have past or current experience of staying in Japan, other than short-term stays such as for sightseeing or conferences.
  • Holds a full-time occupation in the home country and returns upon completion of the fellowship.
  • Must obtain acceptance from a host institution in Japan before applying.
  • Sufficient English or Japanese language ability.
  • Preferred research fields are natural science, engineering, medicine, and agriculture (a stated preference, not a strict exclusion).

Application process

  1. 1
    Secure a host professor and institution in Japan and obtain a signed letter of acceptance.
  2. 2
    Prepare the required documents in English: the signed application form with photo, a ‘Reason for Application’ (max 500 words), a research plan (max 5 pages), CV and publications list, an employer recommendation letter, the Ph.D. academic certificate, and the host professor’s acceptance letter.
  3. 3
    Email the documents as separate PDFs to application@mif-japan.org during the application period (emails over 5 MB are automatically rejected; no compressed, executable, or download-link files).
  4. 4
    The MIF Screening Committee evaluates applications; results are announced in late November 2026.

Program timeline

  1. Applications open

    Jun 1, 2026

  2. Application deadline (Japan Standard Time)

    Jun 30, 2026

  3. Results announced

    2026-11 (late November)

  4. Six-month fellowship period (exact start arranged with the host institution)

    2027-06 to 2028-03