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JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

The JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme provides the opportunity for excellent postdoctoral researchers to conduct cooperative research in Japan, with leading research groups in Japanese universities and Japanese institutions, under the guidance of a host. The programme aims to help early career researchers advance their own research while contributing to the progress of research in Japan and counterpart countries. For further information about JSPS and the programme, please visit the JSPS website.

The Royal Society is an overseas nominating authority for this scheme, which is funded entirely by JSPS. In this capacity, the Royal Society nominates a designated number of candidates to JSPS each year.

The Royal Society recognises that diversity is essential for delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Society wants to encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to maximise innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity. We regularly review and revise policies and processes to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles in all aspects of our grant making process and ensure all talented applicants have an equitable chance to succeed as per the assessment criteria.

See below for details of adjustments we can provide for disabled applicants.

What does the scheme offer?

Fellowships can be held for between 12 and 24 months.

Funds can cover:

round-trip air ticket
monthly maintenance allowance of 362,000 yen (approximately £1,900)
settling-in allowance of 200,000 yen (approximately £1,000)
overseas travel insurance
a research grant, “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research” (Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Research Fellow), is available to cover cooperative research-related expenses. Application for this grant is made by the Japanese host researcher through their institution

Please note that the duration of the fellowship may not be divided into multiple stays. This scheme is offered by JSPS and is subject to their terms and conditions. Applicants should read through all the information offered on the JSPS website before applying to ensure they fully understand the terms of the award. Please visit the JSPS website for more information.

Full funding details can be found in the scheme notes.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1️⃣ Scientific Excellence & Originality (Top Predictor)

Across all JSPS schemes, reviewers prioritize:

Clear, original research questions

Strong theoretical or empirical grounding

Potential to advance fundamental knowledge (not just incremental work)

Tip: Clearly articulate what is new and why Japan (or your host lab) is essential to answering the question.

2️⃣ Strong Fit With the Specific JSPS Scheme

JSPS programs are highly stratified by career stage and purpose.

KAKENHI (Early-Career) → independence, feasibility, trajectory

Postdoctoral Fellowships → training value, mentor quality

International Fellowships → mutual benefit & mobility rationale

Predictor: Applications that are precisely calibrated to the scheme’s intent score higher.

3️⃣ Quality of the Host Research Environment (Critical)

For fellowships and international programs, reviewers scrutinize:

Host PI’s track record

Complementarity between applicant and host

Access to unique techniques, data, or facilities in Japan

Strong predictor: A host lab that clearly enables research you cannot do elsewhere.

4️⃣ Feasibility & Methodological Clarity

JSPS panels expect:

Well-defined aims and methods

Realistic timelines

Clear risk mitigation strategies

Over-ambitious or vaguely described projects—even if innovative—are downgraded.

5️⃣ Applicant Track Record Relative to Career Stage

JSPS evaluates potential, not just raw output:

Publications appropriate to career stage

Evidence of independence or emerging leadership

Prior international experience (helpful but not mandatory)

For early-career schemes, trajectory matters more than volume.

6️⃣ Clear Training & Capacity-Building Value

Especially important for:

Postdoctoral Fellowships

DC/PD programs

International Fellowships

Predictor: Explicit description of new skills, techniques, or perspectives the applicant will gain—and how these will shape their future career.

7️⃣ International Collaboration & Mutual Benefit

For bilateral and international schemes, reviewers look for:

Genuine two-way collaboration (not “lab tourism”)

Knowledge transfer between Japan and partner country

Long-term partnership potential

Projects framed as joint intellectual efforts perform better than one-sided visits.

8️⃣ Alignment With Japan’s Strengths (Implicit but Powerful)

While JSPS is bottom-up, successful proposals often:

Leverage Japan’s strengths (materials science, robotics, life sciences, mathematics, disaster science, etc.)

Fit well within the host institution’s strategic expertise

This alignment increases reviewer confidence in impact.

9️⃣ Clear, Structured, Concise Writing

JSPS applications are densely competitive and reviewed quickly.

Predictor:

Logical structure

Clear figures or work plans

Minimal jargon (especially for interdisciplinary panels)

❌ Common Reasons for Rejection

Weak or generic host justification

Project could be done anywhere (no Japan-specific rationale)

Poor match between applicant and scheme level

Overly ambitious scope for fellowship duration

Vague methods or outcomes

📊 Summary Table: JSPS Success Predictors

Predictor	Why It Matters
Original, high-quality science	Core JSPS mission
Scheme–career stage fit	Prevents misalignment
Strong host PI & lab	Ensures feasibility & training
Clear, realistic methods	Builds reviewer confidence
Applicant trajectory	Identifies future leaders
Training & skill development	Central to fellowships
International collaboration value	Key JSPS mandate
Japan-specific rationale	Distinguishes strong proposals
Clear writing & structure	Affects reviewer scoring

🎯 Practical Tips to Maximize Competitiveness

Contact your host PI early and co-develop the proposal

Explicitly answer: Why Japan? Why this lab? Why now?

Keep aims tight and feasible

Emphasize future impact beyond the fellowship period

For KAKENHI: highlight intellectual independence

Specialties

Others

Technology Development

Eligibility Requirements

This scheme is for you if:

You have a PhD or will have a PhD by the time the funding starts
You have not received your PhD more than six years prior to application
You are a UK resident and citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan
You have a research proposal agreed with a Japanese host scientist
Your research is within the Royal Society’s remit of natural sciences, which includes but is not limited to biological research and biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics. For a full list, please see the breakdown of subject groups and areas supported by the Royal Society.

The scheme is not open to applicants who have previously been awarded a fellowship under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Research in Japan (excluding the Postdoctoral Fellowship (Short Term) for North American and European Researchers and the Summer Programme).

Read the scheme notes for further information on eligibility. Please ensure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.

Eligible Countries:

Japan

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Kojimachi Business Center Building 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

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