The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s FY2027 Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan – Standard Program offers overseas postdoctoral researchers a chance to spend 12 to 24 months at Japanese universities and eligible research institutions. The programme includes a JPY 362,000 monthly allowance, round-trip airfare, a JPY 200,000 settling-in allowance, overseas travel insurance and, for eligible projects, research funding through Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research.
Key facts
- The Standard Program is open to young overseas postdoctoral researchers for collaborative research in Japan.
- JSPS plans about 120 fellowships in each FY2027 open-call recruitment round.
- The official FY2027 deadlines are 28 August 2026 for the first round and 23 April 2027 for the second round, both at 5:00 PM JST.
- The fellowship duration is 12 to 24 months.
- Applications must go through a Japanese host institution or an approved overseas nominating authority, not as a direct independent submission.
What does this mean for researchers and applicants?
For postdoctoral researchers, the main practical value is the combination of a long research stay and broad financial support. The standard monthly allowance is JPY 362,000, and the programme also provides a round-trip air ticket, a JPY 200,000 settling-in allowance and travel insurance. That makes the award relevant for researchers planning a substantial move to Japan rather than a short visit.
Applicants also need to plan around the host-based process. The Japanese host institution submits the application, so candidates must first secure an eligible host researcher, develop a concrete research plan and align with the institution’s internal timeline. Universities may set earlier internal deadlines than JSPS’s published closing dates.
- Who it is for: overseas postdoctoral researchers at an early career stage.
- What is required: a host researcher in Japan and a collaborative research plan.
- When to apply: the second FY2027 round closes on 23 April 2027 at 5:00 PM JST.
- Where it applies: Japanese universities and other eligible research institutions.
How the FY2027 call is structured
JSPS has scheduled two open-call recruitment rounds for FY2027. The first round closed on 28 August 2026 and was expected to announce results in late December 2026, with fellowships starting between 1 April 2027 and 30 September 2027. The second round closes on 23 April 2027 at 5:00 PM JST, with results expected in early August 2027 and starts available from 1 September 2027 to 30 November 2027.
Each round plans approximately 120 awards, making the programme competitive even before universities and host researchers begin their own internal screening and preparation.
Who can apply?
The Standard Program is aimed at overseas researchers who have either earned a doctorate within six years of the fellowship start date or are expected to receive the PhD before the fellowship begins. JSPS says employment status is not decisive for this requirement.
The programme covers all fields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. JSPS also says the nationality requirement is generally tied to citizenship in a country with diplomatic relations with Japan, while researchers from Taiwan and Palestine are treated as meeting that condition. Japanese citizens and foreign nationals with permanent residence in Japan are not eligible under the published candidate rules.
What support does the fellowship provide?
Successful fellows receive a JPY 362,000 monthly maintenance allowance. Over 12 months, that equals about JPY 4,344,000 before adding the other benefits; over 24 months, it amounts to about JPY 8,688,000.
The programme also includes a JPY 200,000 settling-in allowance, round-trip international airfare under JSPS rules and overseas travel insurance. In addition, a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research may be available for cooperative research costs, with the host researcher handling that application through the Japanese host institution.
Why the host researcher matters
The fellowship is designed around research collaboration rather than independent funding. Before applying, the overseas researcher and the Japanese host are expected to establish contact, agree on a concrete plan and identify an appropriate host institution. JSPS says these elements are considered in the selection process.
That means the quality of the collaboration is central to the application. The programme is intended for researchers who can show how the Japanese host and institution will advance the proposed project.
How do applicants avoid deadline confusion?
The simplest way to avoid confusion is to use the official FY2027 Standard Program dates rather than third-party social media posts. The published open-call deadlines are 28 August 2026 for the first round and 23 April 2027 for the second round. Those dates refer to submission from the host institution to JSPS.
A separate date sometimes circulated online, 15 November 2026, does not match the official FY2027 Standard Program open-call schedule. Some applicants may also apply through overseas nominating authorities, which can have separate procedures and deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a direct application from the researcher?
No. For the open-call route, the Japanese host institution submits the application to JSPS. Applicants need to secure an eligible host researcher in Japan and work through that institution’s process.
Can researchers who have not finished their PhD apply?
Yes, if they are expected to receive the doctorate before the fellowship begins. JSPS says the doctorate does not have to be completed at the moment of application, as long as the degree is obtained before the start date.
