About the scheme
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 other 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.
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.
You will apply through our application and grant management system, Flexi-Grant®.
See the ‘Application and assessment process’ page for a general overview of the application and selection steps and below for details specific to this scheme.
Assessment of your application will be overseen by the International Exchanges Panel. The Royal Society is an overseas nominating authority for this scheme. In this capacity, the Royal Society nominates a designated number of candidates each year.
Following eligibility checks, applications are initially reviewed and assessed by two members of the International Exchanges panel who have the most appropriate scientific expertise. A shortlist of nominated candidates is then drawn up with oversight from the Panel Chair and sent to JSPS for a final decision.
Applicants will be notified of the result by JSPS.
Full details of the application and assessment process are available in the scheme notes.
The Royal Society welcomes applications from disabled applicants and provides support and adjustments to ensure that they can participate fully in the selection process. If you require support or an adjustment when accessing the application form, attending interviews, or for any other part of the application process, please contact the Grants Team on international.jsps@royalsociety.org or +44 20 7451 2666. All requests for adjustments are made in confidentiality. Any request for an adjustment will not normally be shared with panel members unless it becomes relevant to the assessment process itself. If we need to share your request with anyone (for example if panel members are required to implement any adjustments during interviews), we will ask for your permission first.
Adjustments can include, but are not limited to:
- Extension of the deadline
- Additional support to complete the application form
- Receiving the application form in a different format, such as on a Word document
- Support during interviews as required, including technical support for candidates requiring accessibility software or services
- Additional costs that candidates may incur on account of their particular disability to attend an interview
If you have further questions regarding the scheme, please contact the Grants team on international.jsps@royalsociety.org or visit our contact us page.
