Frequently Asked Questions
Q) How do I apply for one of the JSPS programmes?
A) Firstly, the JSPS Fellowship programmes require applicants to establish contact with a Japanese researcher in their field.
Once you have located a Japanese researcher , the next step is to send him/her a letter with detailed information on your proposed research activity.
Thirdly, application forms are available for download at JSPS Stockholm homepage, from a nominating institution or by contacting the departmental office at the host researchers' university as appropriate. Please note that not all countries have a nominating institution and that the nominating institutions do not handle all fellowships.
Q) How do I find a Japanese host researcher?
A) The first point of contact should be your departmental colleagues or supervisor. For those wishing to make initial enquiries you may also wish to visit the Ministry of Education, Science, Sport and Culture (MEXT) web site at
http://www.mext.go.jp .Most of the Japanese national universities are linked to this site.
Furthermore, the JSPS Sweden Alumni Club might be able to provide information. Search the
Alumni contactlist on this webbpage for researchers within your field.
Q) Who do I apply to?
A) Each Programme has its own application procedure.
For Postdoctoral Fellowships there are two independent application channels:
JSPS has asked these institutions to nominate certain numbers of excellent researchers to secure constant scientific exchange between these countries and Japan.
2. Through the Japanese host researcher, who will submit the application to JSPS Tokyo.
For Invitation Fellowship:
1. Through nominating institutions;
2. Through the Japanese host researcher, who will submit the application to JSPS Tokyo.
Q) Is it permitted to apply for a Postdoctoral Fellowship through these two channels at the same time?
A) Yes, however please note that you will have to withdraw one of your applications in case both are accepted.
Q) Where can I find the application form?
A) For the Postdoctoral Fellowship programmes :
a) from the nominating institutions
b) from the departmental office at the Japanese host's university
c) go to
"Postdoctoral Fellowship Programmes" on this webpage
For the Invitation Fellowship Programmes :
a) from the departmental office at the Japanese host's university
b) from the nominating institutions (Norway and Sweden)
c) go to JSPS head office's webpage for Invitation fellowships - application through host
Q) When do I apply?
A)
For the Postdoctoral Fellowships: for
standard fellowship applying through host researcher, in May and September. When applying through nominating authority, please check concerned authority's homepage for call and dead-line information.
The
short-term fellowship has six application periods per fiscal year. Please check JSPS Tokyo's homepage if applying through Japanese host. When applying through nominating authority, please check concerned authority's homepage for call and dead-line information.
For short-term fellowship, applying through host researcher, in May and September. When applying through nominating authority, please check concerned authority's homepage for call and dead-line information.
Q) How long does it take for a decision to be made once the application has been made?
A) Notification of selection results is normally four months after the closing date.
Q) What happens once I am selected?
A) You will receive a copy of the Program Guidelines/ Provisions with the following :
-an invitation letter
-a letter of guarantee
-information on visa application, air travel and housing.
1. Acceptance of the Fellowship
If the terms and conditions in your invitation letter are acceptable to you, the notice of acceptance attached to your invitation letter should be signed and sent to JSPS Tokyo within 60 days from the date that your invitation letter was issued.
2. Necessary procedures before your departure.
a) Visa for Entering and Staying in Japan
Please obtain your visa at the Japanese Consular office nearest your residence at your earliest convenience. The following documents should be submitted together with the visa application:
- A copy of the invitation letter from JSPS
- The 'Letter of Guarantee' from JSPS enclosed with the Program Guidelines
- Your complete curriculum vitae
- Two identical 5cm x 5cm photographs
- An extract from the JSPS law
In accordance with the Immigration Control Act of Japan, you should be given a 'Cultural Activities', 'Researcher', or 'Professor' visa status.
b) Application for Air ticket
Kintetsu International Express (KIE), JSPS's official travel agent, is authorised to handle JSPS Postdoctoral fellows's travel arrangements to and from Japan. You will receive an air ticket application form with your copy of the Program Guidelines. Upon receipt of your request, the travel agent will advise an airline office near your residence to issue you a prepaid ticket.
Please note that JSPS cannot reimburse you for an air ticket purchased by yourself.
Q) Am I eligible?
A) For the Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme each candidate must :
a) Be a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
b) Hold a doctorate degree when the fellowship goes into effect, which must have been received within six years prior to April 1, 1999.
c) Have arranged in advance his/her research plans with his/her Japanese researcher.
For the Invitation Fellowship Programme each candidate must:
a) be acitizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan
b) be senior scientist, university professor, or other person with substantial professional experience
Q) Is there a limit to the number of people awarded?
A) In the selection procedure, is there any preference given to any nationality or specific research field?
a)If you apply through a Japanese host researcher, there is no limit. The screening is made on academic merit alone, so there is no preference as to nationality or research field.
b) If you apply through a counterpart institution there is a limit to the number of fellows who will be admitted in any one take on the recommendations from each nominating authority.
Some of these authorities do not accept applications from all research fields, so please be sure to check this with them before submitting a final application.
Q) What kind of funding do you provide?A) Funding is only available to those who participate in one of our programmes. We do not accept individual requests for travel bursars or to attend conferences in Japan.
Q) When my family comes to Japan, will JSPS pay me a family allowance for them?
A) No, this cost is included in your maintenance allowance.
Q) How do I order a copy of the broschure or newsletter?
A) Information brochures are available from our Stockholm office. The latest JSPS newsletter can be viewed on our web site at
http://www.jsps.go.jp. Alternatively you can request a personal copy from us.