Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship 2027 in Japan

About

The Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship supports scholars from outside Japan who want to do research in Japan on a Japan-related topic in the humanities or social sciences. Its goal is to strengthen Japanese studies around the world by giving researchers time in Japan to use archives, do fieldwork and work with Japanese colleagues.

There are two categories: doctoral candidates who need 4 to 12 months in Japan to finish their dissertation, and researchers with a PhD (or equivalent experience) who come for a short stay of 21 to 89 days or a long stay of 4 to 12 months. The fellowship must start between 20 June 2027 and 20 March 2028. For fiscal year 2026, 96 of 286 applications were selected.

Host institution / country

The Japan Foundation describes itself as Japan’s only institution dedicated to comprehensive international cultural exchange. Its work covers culture, the Japanese language and dialogue between Japan and other countries. Fellows carry out their research in Japan with an advisor or research associate at a Japanese university or research institution, which they must arrange themselves before applying.

Financial benefits

Doctoral candidates and long-term researchers (4 to 12 months):

• Monthly stipend for living and research costs: 310,000 yen for doctoral candidates, 400,000 yen for researchers
• Settling-in allowance of 250,000 yen (one time)
• Departure allowance of 50,000 yen (one time)
• A round-trip discount economy air ticket
• Up to 50,000 yen for a health certificate
• Overseas travel insurance
• A dependent allowance of 10,000 yen per person per month, if applicable
• Up to 25,000 yen for enrolment fees, if applicable

Short-term researchers (21 to 89 days):

• 17,000 yen per day
• A round-trip discount economy air ticket
• Overseas travel insurance

Fellows already living in Japan before the start date receive only a one-way ticket home and no settling-in allowance. Fellows must find their own accommodation.

Eligibility criteria

• Citizen or lawful permanent resident of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan, and living in that country
• Working in the humanities or social sciences on a Japan-related topic
• Doctoral candidates: you have finished, or will finish, your PhD coursework before the fellowship starts
• Researchers: you hold a PhD or have equivalent professional experience
• Your advisor or research host in Japan is confirmed by the deadline
• Good health, and enough Japanese or English for your research
• You can, in principle, stay in Japan for the whole fellowship
• Former Japan Foundation fellows must wait three full years after their last fellowship (one year for short-term fellows), counted as of 1 April 2027
• Not eligible: natural sciences, medicine or engineering; undergraduate or master’s students; people mainly seeking language study, technical training or traditional arts training; people who will receive other funding for travel and stay in Japan during the same period
• Applicants affiliated with Southeast Asian institutions should apply to the separate JFJSA-ASEAN Fellowship instead

Required documents

From you:

• Application Form
• Applicant Information (personal and work history, language ability, referee details)
• Project Information, including a project summary of up to 2 pages, your research and career goals, and a short list of about 10 key achievements
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended (doctoral candidates only)

From others:

• Two Reference Forms from two different people. Neither can be your Japan host, and one must be an expert in your field. Doctoral candidates need one referee from their current institution
• A Letter of Affiliation Form completed by your advisor or research associate in Japan
• A Japanese-Language Ability Assessment Form (doctoral candidates only)

How to apply

1. Find an advisor or research associate in Japan and agree on your project and dates.
2. Ask your Japan host to complete the Letter of Affiliation Form.
3. Ask two referees to complete the Reference Forms. They upload them through a link issued in the portal.
4. Submit on the Japan Foundation Online Application Portal (apply.jpf.go.jp) by 1 December 2026, 1:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time.
5. US citizens and US permanent residents apply instead through the Japan Foundation New York portal by 1 December 2026, 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time.

Selection process and timeline

Applications are judged on the significance of the project, the need to do the research in Japan, and whether it is realistic in the time requested. Reviewers also look at your past achievements and your potential to grow as a researcher. Doctoral candidates who can work in Japanese and those under 35 get priority, and applicants who have already received two or more Japan Foundation fellowships get lower priority.

Results are sent by the end of April 2027. The Japan Foundation also informs the Japan host of successful applicants. It does not answer questions about the progress of selection or the reasons for a decision. During the fellowship you will submit quarterly reports and a final report.

Tips for a strong application

• Contact a possible host in Japan several months before the deadline. Without a confirmed affiliation, your application is not eligible.
• Explain clearly why the research must be done in Japan, such as specific archives, sources or fieldwork sites.
• Make your plan realistic. Show what you will do each month and what you will produce at the end.
• Choose referees who know your work well, and send them the forms early.
• If you are a doctoral candidate, show that you will submit your dissertation soon after returning.