Eligibility

1I don’t have Swedish nationality. Can I apply?
Summer Program

A. No. A person who possesses Swedish nationality or permanent residency can only apply.

Short-term

A. No. A person who possesses Swedish nationality, citizenship, or permanent residency can apply. However, if you do not possess Swedish citizenship, or permanent residency visa, you are eligible if you have completed a Master’s or PhD course at an institution of higher education in Sweden and, upon completing the course, have for at least three continuous years conducted high-level research at a university or research institution in Sweden at the time the organization submits their application.

Standard

A. No. Only persons who possess Swedish nationality or permanent residency can apply.

2I have several nationalities and one of them is Japanese citizenship. Can I apply?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard

A. No. Anyone with Japanese nationality cannot apply for these programs. Also, those who are allowed to live in Japan permanently are not eligible for these programs.

3I am a university student. Can I apply?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard

A. No.

4I am a Master’s student. Can I apply?
Summer Program

A. Yes, as long as you are a Master’s student or a PhD student at an institution of higher education in Sweden.

Short-term/Standard

A. No.

5I am a PhD student. Can I apply?
Summer Program

A. Yes, as long as you are a Master’s student or a PhD student at an institution of higher education in Sweden.

Short-term

A. Yes, as long as you are scheduled to receive a PhD within two years from the starting date of the program.

Standard

A. Yes, as long as you are scheduled to receive a doctorate before the fellowship goes into effect and submit a copy of your PhD diploma or the original PhD certificate to JSPS.

6I am a researcher with a PhD, not a graduate student. Can I apply?
Summer Program

A. No.

Short-term/Standard

A. Yes, as long as you hold a doctorate outside of Japan when the fellowship goes into effect, which must have been received within six years prior to April 1st, 2018 (i.e., awarded on or after April 2nd, 2012).

7I am a researcher, but I do not work as a full-time worker such as an associate professor or assistant professor. Can I apply?
Summer Program

A. No.

Short-term/Standard

A. Yes. It doesn’t matter whether you have a full-time position or not.

8Although my home university is a Swedish based institution, I am currently living overseas or visiting at a different institution. Can I apply?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard

A. Yes.

Past Participant Application

1I participated in the Summer Program before. Can I apply?
Summer Program

A. No.

Short-term/Standard

A. Yes.

2I participated in the Short-term Program before. Can I apply this time?
Summer Program/Short-term

A. No.

Standard

A. Yes.

3I participated in the Standard Program. Can I apply this time?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard

A. No.

Multiple Programs Application

1Can I apply for the Summer Program, Short-term, and Standard Programs at the same time?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard

A. Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements for each program. However, you should indicate your preference ranking in the application form in case you are the candidate for all programs.

2Can I apply for the Short-term Program through a nominating institution in Sweden and for the Short-term Program through open recruitment at the same time?
Short-term

A. Yes. However, you should indicate your preference ranking in the application form in case you are the candidate for all programs.

3Can I apply for the Standard Program through a nominating institution in Sweden and for the Standard Program through open recruitment at the same time?
Standard

A. Yes. However, you should indicate your preference ranking in the application form in case you are the candidate for all programs.

4I have Swedish nationality. Do I need to apply for a visa?
Summer Program
A . No.

Short-term
A. It depends on the period of your stay in Japan. If your stay is less than 90 days, you do not need to apply, however, if your stay is over three months, you need to apply.

Standard
A. Yes. You are encouraged to apply for a Professor Visa or a Research Visa of Japan in order to conduct research in Japan for more than three months.

Visa

1I do not have Swedish nationality. In order to conduct research in Japan, do I need to apply for a visa?
Summer Program/Short-term

A. Please check here if your nationality needs a visa: http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit//visa/index.html

Standard

A. Yes. You are encouraged to apply for a Professor Visa or a Research Visa of Japan in order to conduct research in Japan for more than three months.

Basic Questions

1How do I find a host researcher in Japan?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard

A. Basically, you gather information by yourself and then decide who to contact. Online resources such as “research map” are very helpful for finding Japanese researchers. Also, you can contact JSPS Stockholm Office for information on past participants in the same or similar field of research, and then, you can contact them for advice.

2Are corporations included in host institutes?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. Yes, but only designated corporations listed here after page 20.
3Does applying through a different institution affect the final results?
Short-term/Standard
A. No. All institutions use the same criteria and conduct a screening in the same way. Reviews will be conducted fairly and objectively regardless of the institution.
4Who will conduct the review?
Short-term/Standard
A. We have asked experts to conduct a screening from a professional point of view. We also avoid conflicts of interest to ensure that reviews are conducted fairly and objectively.
5Is there any possibility that unsuccessful candidates will be accepted if a vacancy arises later?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. It is possible, but the situation differs from year to year. In some years, there are no substitutions. We cannot predict when or if there will be substitutions, so it is not advisable to count on this possibility.
6I have received a salary from another research institution. If I am selected for the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship, can I continue to receive the salary?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. You can receive the salary as long as it doesn’t infringe or conflict with your obligations as a JSPS Fellow. However, if you are employed at a research organization in Japan before you are selected for the JSPS Fellowship, this stipulation does not apply.
7Can I receive a research grant from another funding agency in addition to the funding and allowances from JSPS?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. No. You should focus on your approved research during your stay in Japan, so you are not allowed to receive a grant from another agency at the same time.

Allowances and Insurance

1Will accommodations be provided for my stay in Japan?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. JSPS does not arrange accommodations. Please consult with your host researcher about living arrangements before your departure.
2Please tell me about the insurance policy, including how to apply, coverage, and what to do in case of accident or sickness.
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. All information about insurance will be included in the award package if you are selected as a fellow.

Extended Stay/Temporary Absence

1Can I extend my stay in Japan before or after the program period?
Short-term/Standard
A. You cannot extend your tenure, but you can extend your stay. In principle, you are not allowed to either shorten or lengthen your tenure. However, you are allowed to change the period for unavoidable reasons only. In such cases, you will be required to reimburse JSPS for the amount of allowance equivalent to the number of days your tenure is shortened.
2 Can I go overseas during the tenure of my fellowship?
Short-term/Standard
A. You can go overseas for short periods for research purposes only. You need to get permission in advance from your host researchers, KVA (the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences)/STINT (the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education) /JSPS when you participate in the Short-term Program, or KVA/VINNOVA (Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems)/SSF (Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research) /JSPS when you participate in the Standard Program.

Research Content and Stay in Host Lab

1Please tell me how the research support allowance is used in the Summer Program and Short-term Program.
Summer Program/Short-term
A. This allowance is paid to your host researcher. Your host institution will apply to JSPS before the program starts. This is an allowance granted to your host researcher, so please consult him/her about its use.
2Can the research support allowance be used for travel to academic meetings in Japan?
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. Yes. Your host researcher should apply for the research support allowance via the host institution before you come to Japan. Your travel expenses can be paid for with the research support allowance when you are accompanied by the host or a Japanese colleague.
3This will be my first time to stay in Japan. I am a bit anxious about living there.
Summer Program/Short-term/Standard
A. JSPS sends all fellows a copy of “Life in Japan for Foreign Researchers” along with their award letter. Please consult this booklet for useful information about living in Japan. If you encounter any problems in Japan, please talk to your host institution.