The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) runs this call under a cooperation agreement with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). One postdoctoral researcher who earned a doctorate in Flanders is sent to a research institute in Japan.
The fellow spends 12 to 24 full months with a Japanese host researcher, working on a research plan the two of them prepare together. The call covers the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences.
FWO collects the applications and its Cross-Domain Panel nominates a single candidate; JSPS makes the final decision. The 2026 cycle opened on 8 January 2026 and closed on 2 April 2026.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly allowance of 362,000 Japanese yen, about €2,000.
- One-off settling-in allowance of 200,000 yen, about €1,100.
- Return travel between Flanders and Japan.
- Travel accident and sickness insurance.
- A research stay of 12 to 24 full months at a Japanese institute recognised by JSPS.
- Under the JSPS standard programme the Japanese host researcher can separately apply for a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research to cover research costs.
Eligibility
- You are a postdoctoral researcher who obtained a doctoral degree at a Flemish scientific institution on or after 2 April 2020, or you will obtain one there before the fellowship starts.
- You have never held a JSPS postdoctoral fellowship, not even in part.
- Japanese citizens and foreign nationals holding permanent residence in Japan cannot apply.
- Applicants must be citizens of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan; JSPS treats Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers as satisfying this condition.
- Your research falls within the humanities, the social sciences or the natural sciences.
- Your Japanese host must sit at an institute recognised by JSPS; FWO publishes the list of eligible host institutes alongside the call.
- The call states no age limit and no minimum years of work experience.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Application process
- 1Agree a host researcher and a joint research plan with an eligible Japanese institute.
- 2Complete the FWO application form in English; the research plan is written inside the form.
- 3Prepare a copy of your PhD diploma, or a letter from your institution if the degree has not been awarded yet.
- 4Obtain a signed acceptance letter from your Japanese supervisor and a reference letter from your current supervisor or research unit head.
- 5Email the complete file to interprog@fwo.be before 5PM on the closing day.
- 6The FWO Cross-Domain Panel evaluates the applications and nominates one candidate to JSPS.
- 7JSPS informs FWO and the candidate of its final decision within three months of the nomination.
Program timeline
call opens
8 January 2026
applications close at FWO
2 April 2026, 5PM
evaluation by the Cross-Domain Panel
June 2026
FWO nominates one candidate to JSPS
July 2026
Within three months of the nomination
JSPS announces its final decision
The call page also lists a fellowship start milestone of “before 30 November”, but the year printed next to it does not match the 2026 cycle, so confirm the start window with FWO.