Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowships 2027-2028
Program highlights
- Live and work in Japan for 12 to 24 months, undertaking full-time, uninterrupted research at a JSPS-affiliated institute under the guidance of your Japanese host.
- Receive a structured support package, including a monthly maintenance allowance of ¥362,000, a settling-in allowance of ¥200,000, a round-trip air ticket (per JSPS regulations), and overseas travel insurance coverage.
- Immerse yourself in Japan’s research culture and everyday life, building lasting professional relationships through sustained collaboration in a world-class host environment
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), in association with the Australian Academy of Science, offers postdoctoral fellowships for Australian researchers to undertake collaborative projects with Japanese host researchers at JSPS-affiliated institutes in Japan for between 12 and 24 months.
The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan provide the opportunity for Australian postdoctoral researchers to conduct cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions, under the guidance of their Japanese hosts.
The program aims to help such researchers advance their own research while contributing to the advancement of research in Japan and the counterpart countries.
To facilitate a smooth research process in Japan, the candidate and their prospective host researcher should consult before applying and agree on the research plan, host laboratory conditions, and the candidate’s status under the fellowship. Before submitting the application, applicants must provide the JSPS Fellowships compliance requirements for JSPS hosts document to their prospective Japanese host institution through their host researcher. Applicants must confirm they have done so in the JSPS application form checklist. This requirement does not form part of the Academy’s assessment, but JSPS requires it before accepting an application.
As a rule, the fellowship awardees (Fellows) shall stay in Japan continuously during the tenure of their fellowships and concentrate on their research at the host institution. Fellows must not engage in other work, either paid or unpaid, during their tenure.
Key dates
Below are the key dates for the application process. While we aim to keep to this schedule, some dates may change depending on circumstances.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines provide important information about eligibility, submission requirements, and assessment processes. Please review them carefully before submitting an application.
Applicants must be:
- Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens with a Special Category visa (subclass 444) and must be living in Australia at the time of application.
- Australian permanent residents need to be citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan.
- People of Japanese nationality, or dual nationality where one is Japanese, are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates who have permanent residency in Japan are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates must hold a PhD degree that was received on or after 2 April 2021 or be scheduled to receive a doctorate degree before the proposed fellowship commencement date.
As per section 5 (note 3) of the JSPS application guidelines, maternity or parental leave can be deducted from the time since receiving the PhD degree, should this reduce the time to less than the eligible period of within six years as of 1 April 2027. For this career interruption to be included, please note that a different application form may need to be completed. This can be requested through the Academy by emailing a request to grants@science.org.au.
If the PhD degree has not been conferred at the time of application, the candidate must obtain a letter from their institution stating that, at the time of application, the applicant has met all the conditions required for completion of the degree.
The letter must also include the specific date on which the degree will be conferred, which must be before the proposed fellowship commencement date.
Please note that specific completion requirements may vary between institutions. Candidates are strongly encouraged to clarify the requirements with their awarding institution prior to submitting the fellowship application. This may involve seeking advice from the institution's Office of the Registrar, for example.
Candidates who have previously been awarded a fellowship under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan (Standard – P, and Pathway to University positions in Japan – PU) are not eligible.
If it becomes known before or after selection that a candidate does not meet the application eligibility, their selection may be cancelled, or the fellowship terminated. If the fellowship has already commenced, the candidate may be required to reimburse the JSPS any paid allowances.
Host researchers in Japan must be employed full time or classified as being employed full time at a listed research university or research institution (see the eligible host list and compliance requirements for host institutions in the PDF download below).
Applications are invited in any field of the physical sciences, life sciences, engineering, technology and medicine.
Proposals that address one or more of Australia's National Science and Research Priorities will be given preference, particularly projects that strengthen Australia-Japan collaboration in areas of shared strategic interest, including critical technologies, advanced materials, engineering, Antarctic science and environmental science.
The priorities are listed below, with research subfield examples included.
- Transitioning to a net zero future.
- Research subfields include renewable energy, energy storage, decarbonisation, sustainable agriculture and environmental science.
- Supporting healthy and thriving communities.
- Research subfields include Indigenous health, mental health research, health information, biomedical engineering and medical science.
- Elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.
- Research subfields include Traditional ecological knowledge, Indigenous land and water management and environmental management.
- Protecting and restoring Australia’s environment.
- Research subfields include climate science, Indigenous land and water management, marine biology and oceanography, urban ecology, forestry and biodiversity conservation.
- Building a secure and resilient nation.
- Research subfields include AI, quantum, robotics and machine learning, cyber security, supply chain resilience, disaster risk reduction and management and critical infrastructure protection.
Please note that although the JSPS accepts applications in the humanities and the social sciences under its broader program, the Academy is unable to accept applications in these two areas for this current round.
Fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 to 24 full months. Fellows must start the fellowship in Japan between 1 April and 30 November 2027.
The amounts indicated below are subject to change.
- A round-trip air ticket (based on JSPS regulations).
- A monthly maintenance allowance of ¥362,000.
- A settling-in allowance of ¥200,000.
- Overseas travel insurance coverage.
If the Fellow is located in Japan on the date their award letter is issued, the air ticket to Japan and settling-in allowance will not be provided.
A Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Grants-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellows) is available to cover cooperative research-related expenses. Applications for this grant are made by the host researcher in Japan through their institution. For details, please see the application guidelines for the Grants-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellows.
Using the templates provided below, applications are to be submitted online and must include the following attachments as PDF files:
- completed JSPS application form. Read the JSPS application guidelines and instructions for the application form below prior to completion.
- copy of doctoral degree certificate, or if not yet awarded, a letter from candidate’s institute as outlined in the ‘Eligibility’ section above
- copy of the signed letter of invitation from the candidate’s prospective host researcher. Applicants must also provide the JSPS Fellowships compliance requirements for JSPS hosts document to the host researcher. See compliance document and sample letter template below.
- referee report from current or previous supervisor, or another person who is closely familiar with the applicant’s research and able to provide an independent, evidence-based assessment. The referee must not be the applicant’s prospective host researcher in Japan. Read information for referees below.
Note: all application documents must be completed in English.
Applications are considered carefully against the selection criteria by a committee of scientists with diverse expertise. The decisions of the committee are based on the assessed competitiveness of the proposal.
The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons an application is successful or unsuccessful.
Standard - JSPS Fellowships FY2027 application form
Applications will be assessed by a multidisciplinary selection committee convened by the Australian Academy of Science.
In assessing applications, the committee will consider:
- the scientific quality, originality and feasibility of the proposed research project
- the demonstrated research achievements and potential of the applicant, relative to their career stage and opportunities
- the expertise, research environment and suitability of the proposed host researcher and host institution in Japan
- the strength of the proposed collaboration and its potential to contribute to long-term Australia-Japan research links
- alignment with the objectives of the fellowship program and the priority areas identified for the 2027 intake.
The Academy will nominate the highest-ranked applicants to JSPS, who will make the final selection decisions.
The Academy is not able to enter into discussion or correspondence regarding the reasons an application is successful or unsuccessful.
Number of fellowship nominations
The Academy’s quota for nominations this round has not yet been confirmed by JSPS and is expected to be advised in October 2026.
The Academy will assess and rank the applications and provide the JSPS with a nomination list of recommended applicants, but the final selection of successful applicants will be made by JSPS.
Notification of outcome
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by late December 2026. Final selection decisions will be made by JSPS approximately three months before the nominated departure date.
Please take this period into consideration when arranging your proposed travel dates.
6. Reporting requirements
The Fellow and their host researchers are required submit a final report to JSPS within one month of the completion of the fellowship tenure. The report template will be provided by JSPS directly.
The Academy will also request completion of a report up to three months after completing the fellowship. The Academy will provide a template for the report. Awardees will be asked to participate in surveys aimed at improving the fellowship program.
The Fellow and their host researchers are required submit a final report to JSPS within one month of the completion of the fellowship tenure. The report template will be provided by JSPS directly.
The Academy will also request completion of a report up to three months after completing the fellowship. The Academy will provide a template for the report. Awardees will be asked to participate in surveys aimed at improving the fellowship program.
Applications are to be completed through an online form found by clicking on the Apply button on the top right of this web page when the round is open.
Standard - JSPS Fellowships FY2027 application form
