RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only

The Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship Program
Application Guidelines & Instructions

1. Purpose
In order to promote Japanese Studies overseas, this program provides support to outstanding
scholars in the field by providing the opportunity to conduct research in Japan.

2. Categories and Duration of Fellowship
The minimum and maximum durations for the Fellowship are indicated in parentheses.*• Scholars and Researchers (Long-Term) (4-12 months): Scholars and researchers in thehumanities or social sciences. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional
experience at the time of application.
• Scholars and Researchers (Short-Term) (21-89 days): Scholars and researchers in thehumanities or social sciences who need to conduct intensive research in Japan. Applicants must
hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience at the time of application.
• Doctoral Candidates (4-12 months): Doctoral candidates in the humanities or social sciences.
Applicants must have achieved ABD status by the time the Fellowship begins.
* Please note that for awardees in the Research (Long-Term) and Doctoral Fellowship categories, there is apossibility that the duration of the Fellowship may be adjusted to a whole-month unit or reduced by theFoundation. In such cases, the approved duration of the Fellowship will be as stated in the grant letter.

3. Eligibility
Basic Eligibility Requirements• Applicants must be American citizens, American citizens temporarily residing abroad, or
permanent residents of the United States.
• Americans who hold U.S. citizenship and permanent resident status in another country in which
they are residing (except for Japan) should upload their application documents to a different
Online Application Portal at https://www.apply.jpf.go.jp by 1pm (Japan Standard Time) on
December 3, 2024 using a different form.
• Applicants residing in the United States who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents
should upload their application documents to the Online Application Portal at

1

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only

•
•

•

•
•
•
•
•
•

https://www.apply.jpf.go.jp by 1pm (Japan Standard Time) on December 3, 2024 using a
different form.
Doctoral Candidates must have achieved ABD status by the time the Fellowship begins.
Applicants for the Scholars and Researchers program (both Long-Term and Short-Term) must
hold a Ph.D. or equivalent professional experience in research, teaching and writing in the fieldsof the humanities or social sciences at the time of application.
Previous recipients of Japan Foundation Fellowships, such as the Japanese Studies Fellowship,
Abe Fellowship, etc., are eligible to reapply only if, on April 1, 2025, a full three years haveelapsed since the termination of their most recent Fellowship. Previous Short-Term Research
Fellows may reapply after one full year from the termination of their most recent Fellowship.
Applicants must have the capacity to conduct research activities required for the Fellowship
program.
Applicants must be proficient in either Japanese or English.
Applicants must secure all affiliation arrangements by the application deadline.
In principle, applicants must be able to stay continuously in Japan for the term of theFellowship.
Applicants may receive funding through only one Fellowship sponsored by the JapanFoundation during any one Japanese fiscal year, which runs from April 1 through March 31.
Applicants may only apply to one category of the Fellowship Program. Multiple applications
from the same applicant will make all applications invalid.

*Please be informed that applicants for the following three programs are eligible to apply for theJapan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship: 1) the JF-GJS Fellowship program, which is forpost-doctoral researchers and is co-organized with the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia of the
University of Tokyo; 2) the JF-Nichibunken Fellowship program, which is also for post-doctoral
researchers and is co-organized with the International Research Center for Japanese Studies; or 3)
JF-CIJS-EAJS Fellowship program, which is for doctoral candidates in Europe and is co-organizedwith the Center for Integrated Japanese Studies of Tohoku University with the support of European
Association for Japanese Studies. For further information on these three programs, please inquire at
r_info@jpf.go.jp by e-mail.
Ineligibility
Individuals meeting any of the following conditions are not eligible to apply:• Scholars or researchers in the natural sciences, medicine or engineering;• Undergraduates; Master’s degree candidates; those intending to enroll in Undergraduate or
Master’s courses at universities in Japan; or graduates intending to enroll in Ph.D. courses inJapan;• Those who intend to use the Fellowship for political or religious purposes;• Those who primarily intend to enhance their Japanese language ability or technical skills;• Those who intend to develop and/or produce Japanese language teaching materials;

2

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only•••Those who intend to acquire artistic training in the area of Japanese traditional culture (teaceremony, flower arrangement, etc.)*;Those who plan to receive other grants covering expenses for travel to and accommodation in
Japan concurrently with the Fellowship;
Those who will have been in Japan continuously for at least one year between April 1, 2024 andApril 1, 2025.

*Specialists and/or professional practitioners of Japanese visual arts who wish to conduct short-term(21 to 59 days) research in Japan should apply to the Ishibashi Foundation/The Japan Foundation
Fellowship for Research on Japanese Art program.

4. Selection Criteria
Project quality is evaluated on the basis of the following:a. The project’s significance to the field and to the applicant’s professional development
b. The project’s feasibility in terms of time and resourcesc. The securing of appropriate affiliationd. Evidence that residence in Japan is necessary for completion of the projecte. Plans to disseminate research findings, etc., in Japan and abroad
Training, academic history, academic rank or position, professional reputation, andaccomplishments are evaluated.
The project’s contributions to diversity in the field will also be considered.
Former Japan Foundation Fellows who have been awarded two or more Foundation Fellowships
will be put under particularly rigorous examination.
To the extent permitted by program requirements and selection criteria, efforts are made to maintaindisciplinary, geographic, and institutional diversity. (Applications from Social Science fields arehighly welcomed.)
Incumbent politicians will not be selected.
5. Priorities•••

Doctoral Fellowship: higher priority will be given to those who are expected to submit theirdissertation shortly after the completion of the Fellowship, and to those who show promise of
future achievement as Scholars of Japanese Studies.
Research Fellowship (Long-Term): higher priority will be given to relatively junior scholars
and researchers, and to those with less research experience in Japan.
Research Fellowship (Short-Term): higher priority will be given to relatively experienced
scholars and researchers who are expected to publish their research results shortly after thecompletion of their Fellowship.
3

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only

6. Benefits
Research and Doctoral Fellowships
Research Fellows (LongDoctoral Fellows
Term)
Discount economy class airline ticket to and fromJapan (most direct and economical route)
Up to JPY50,000
Traveler’s insurance policy
JPY250,000
JPY50,000
JPY400,000
JPY310,000

International Airline Ticket (seeNote (1))
Certificate of Health
Insurance
Settling-in allowance (see Note (2))
Departure allowance
Monthly stipend (covering living
and research expenses)
Dependent allowance (see Note (3)) JPY10,000/month for each dependent
Dependent Insurance
Provided by JF
Enrollment fees
Up to JPY25,000/monthNotes(1) Grantees already residing in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship will
receive only a one-way airline ticket to their home countries.

(2) Grantees already residing in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship are noteligible for this allowance.
(3) This allowance will be provided to Fellows whose dependents (spouse and children 18 years oldor under only) reside in Japan with the Fellow continuously for more than three months.
Research Fellowship (Short-Term)
International Airline Ticket (seeDiscount economy class airline ticket to and from Japan
Note)(most direct and economical route)Insurance
Traveler’s insurance policy
Stipend
JPY17,000/day
Note
Grantees already residing in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship will receive only aone-way airline ticket to their home countries.

7. Basic Terms and Conditions
The Japan Foundation Fellowships are tenable only in Japan.
Fellows are expected to devote their full time to the research project described in their applications.

4

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only
The proposed commencement date for a 2025-2026 Fellowship must fall between June 20, 2025
and March 31, 2026. However, the commencement date might change depending on the availabilityof the institutional affiliate.
In principle, no change in the month of the commencement of the Fellowship will be allowed. If a
grantee must change their commencement date due to unavoidable circumstances, he/she mustobtain the Foundation’s approval beforehand, in writing. Under no circumstances is it possible tochange the commencement month from a later date to June, due to the timing of visa application
procedures between the Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In principle, arrival in Japan prior to the “beginning date” indicated on the application is not
permitted. The date of arrival in Japan is considered the beginning date of the Fellowship.
The Fellowship cannot be received concurrently with other grants that provide funds for travel toJapan or for a stipend during the Fellow’s stay in Japan. If a grantee is offered any other grant
whose duration overlaps with that of the Foundation’s Fellowship, he/she must decline either theFoundation’s Fellowship or the other grant for the overlapping period.
No extension of the duration of the Fellowship can be allowed for any reason whatsoever.
Applicants are responsible for making the necessary arrangements for institutional affiliation.
Fellows are also responsible for securing their own long-term accommodations.

8. Selection and Notification of Results
1. Applications will be reviewed with the confidential assistance of the American Advisory
Committee, which is comprised of distinguished scholars from various cultural and educational
institutions across the United States and Japan.
2. During the screening process, the Japan Foundation, New York staff may ask the applicant
questions as the need arises.
3. Principal awardees will be notified of the results in April, 2025 through the Japan Foundation.
Alternate awardees will be notified as Fellowships become available. The Foundation will send
notification results to the advisors/affiliates of successful applicants, but will not inform theirrecommenders/language evaluators, nor advisors/affiliates of unsuccessful applicants.
4. The Foundation cannot discuss the status of any application during the screening process, orprovide feedback about the results.

9. Terms of Agreement
By applying to this program, the applicant will be deemed to have agreed to the following
statements:

5

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only
(1) Obligations of Fellows
a. Fellows are expected to devote their full time to their research in Japan.
b. In the case of being introduced to public relations media during the Fellowship period, Fellows
are, in principle, to specify that they are in Japan on a Japan Foundation Fellowship.
c. The Japan Foundation does not tolerate any fraudulent activity by applicants during theapplication process throughout the Fellowship period. Committing any form of fraud with regard
to the Japan Foundation subsidies, etc., could result in penalty measures such as a revocation of
the decision to provide Fellowships in whole or in part, the required return of benefits including
additional charges, late payment charges, suspension of the applicant’s eligibility to apply for a
grant for a certain period of time, and/or other legal actions (Ref. “Act on Regulation of
Execution of Budget Pertaining to Subsidies, etc.” (Act No. 179 of 1955)).
d. The Japan Foundation does not tolerate any fraudulent activity by applicants during theapplication process throughout the Fellowship period. Committing any form of fraud with regard
to the Japan Foundation subsidies, etc., could result in penalty measures such as a revocation of
the decision to provide Fellowships in whole or in part, the required return of benefits including
additional charges, late payment charges, suspension of the applicant’s eligibility to apply for a
grant for a certain period of time, and/or other legal actions (Ref. “Act on Regulation of
Execution of Budget Pertaining to Subsidies, etc.” (Act No. 179 of 1955)).
(2) Disclosure of information on the projecta. If the project is selected, the information such as the name of the applicant/organization and theoutline of the project will be made public in the Detailed Annual Reports of the JapanFoundation (Kokusai Koryu Kikin Jigyo Jisseki), the Annual Report, on the JF’s website and inother public relations materials.
b. When the JF receives a request for disclosure of information in accordance with the “Act on
Access to Information Held by Incorporated Administrative Agencies” (Act No. 140 of 2001),
application forms submitted to the JF, except for non-disclosure information stipulated in suchact, will be disclosed.
c. There may be cases in which project reports, deliverables, and other related publications are
released to the public for publicity purposes.
(3) Handling of personal informationa. Compliance with applicable laws
To the extent applicable, the Japan Foundation will comply with the “Act on the Protection of
Personal Information” (Act No. 57 of 2003) (the “Act”), relevant cabinet and ministerial orders,various guidelines stipulated by the Personal Information Protection Commission or otherorganizations to which the Personal Information Protection Commission has delegated authority,
the “EU General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”),” the Personal Information
Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China and related laws and regulations (the “ChineseLaws”), and other laws and regulations in relation to protection of personal information in
relevant countries and regions, etc., and when handling any personal information, the Japan
6

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only
Foundation will properly collect, use and control the same. For more information on the JapanFoundation’s efforts to protect personal information (privacy policy), please visit the following
websites:(Related to the Act): (Japanese) https://www.jpf.go.jp/j/privacy/(English) https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/privacy/(Related to the GDPR): https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/privacy/index.html#gdrp(Related to the Chinese Laws): https://www.jpfbj.cn/jp/personal_information/b. Acquisition of personal information
The Japan Foundation may acquire the following personal information (the “Personal
Information”) from the applicants through the application forms, attachments, project reports,
deliverables, etc. (the “Project Materials”). In addition, the Japan Foundation may acquire theapplicants’ Personal Information through publicly available websites.
[Basic information of applicants]Name, date of birth, nationality, permanent residence, gender, place of employment, job andwork duties, home address, postal code, telephone number (including mobile phone number), fax
number, e-mail address, ID number, passport number, family structure, names of family
members, dates of birth of family members, nationalities of family members, genders of family
members, addresses of family members, jobs of family members, photographs taken during or
prior to the program, etc.
[Information on applicants’ educational background, career history and abilities]
Resume (including educational background and career history), major achievements, foreign
language proficiency, overseas residence history, overseas residence plan, contact information
during the residence period, etc.
[Sensitive data on applicants]
Personal data such as medical history, medical examination results, other health-related
information and bank account information.
* The Japan Foundation may acquire the Personal Information of the applicant’s family members
from the applicant. On such occasion, the applicant must obtain consent from his/her family
members regarding the content of this “Handling of personal information” section before
providing such Personal Information to the Japan Foundation.
c. Purposes of use and period of personal information(a) Based on the consent of the applicant and his/her family members, the Japan Foundation will
use the Personal Information acquired from the applicant for screening, notification of
screening results, implementation of the project, post-evaluation, communication to successful
applicants and for any and all other purposes for management of applicants and successful
applicants (the “Purposes of Use”).
(b) For the proper and smooth operation of the Japan Foundation projects, any information such as
the applicants’ names, genders, jobs, titles, affiliations, project periods, project content, etc.
will be: posted on published materials, such as the Detailed Annual Reports of the JapanFoundation (Kokusai Koryu Kikin Jigyo Jisseki), the Annual Report and the Japan

7

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only
Foundation’s website; used for preparation of statistics materials; and used for formulation of
future Japan Foundation projects.
(c) In addition to the information specified in (b) above, the applicants’ contact information (i.e.,address, e-mail address and phone number) will be used to: request the applicants to answer
questionnaires as follow-up to the project after completion thereof; provide a notice regarding
other Japan Foundation projects; request the applicants to provide information for formulationof future Japan Foundation projects, and so on.
(d) The Japan Foundation will handle the Personal Information of the applicants and their family
members for the period necessary to achieve the Purposes of Use stated above.
d. Provision of personal information(a) The Japan Foundation may provide the Personal Information acquired from the applicants tothe following organizations, to the minimum extent necessary. The Japan Foundation will
make sure that the recipients take measures to ensure the security of the Personal Information.
i. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Embassies or Consulates-General of Japan, etc.
(for arrangement of visas, handling of security control, support for project implementation,
etc.)
ii. Airlines, insurance companies and the agencies thereof, etc. (for procurement of overseas
travel accident insurance, etc.)
iii. Evaluators such as outside experts, etc. (for screening, post-evaluation, etc.)
iv. News media and other organizations (for public relations for the projects)
v. Other organizations and individuals who receive the information as needed for the projects(b) The applicant’s medical examination results and health information may be provided to
medical institutions, medical professionals, insurance companies, organizations or individuals
who provide cooperation for training (including host families) and relevant government
agencies for immigration procedures, procurement of overseas travel insurance and claims
therefor, and health care and safety control after entry into or departure from Japan.
(c) The Personal Information acquired from the applicants may be used or provided for purposes
other than those specified in the Purposes of Use, in accordance with Article 69, Paragraph 2 of
the Act, such as providing such Personal Information for administrative organs, otherincorporated administrative agencies, local public entities or local incorporated administrative
agencies (the “Administrative Organs”) as long as the Administrative Organs use the same
within the scope necessary to conduct the affairs or services prescribed by applicable laws andregulations and where there is a reasonable ground for such use.
e. Cross-border transfer of personal information(a) The Japan Foundation may handle the Personal Information acquired from the applicants bytransferring the same to the base located in Japan (including the Japan Foundation
headquarters) or other countries or regions for the Purposes of Use specified above. The JapanFoundation shall appropriately control the Personal Information in such countries or regions.
(b) In addition to the case specified in the preceding paragraph, the Japan Foundation may provide
the Personal Information acquired from the applicants to necessary organizations or individuals

8

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants onlyin Japan or other countries or regions for the Purposes of Use specified above as needed for the
projects, only when the conditions stipulated in laws and regulations are satisfied.
f. Security control of personal information
The Japan Foundation shall endeavor to prevent unauthorized access and leakage of the Personal
Information of the applicants by way of taking appropriate security control measures and control
means.
g. Rights pertaining to personal information of applicant
The applicant has the right to access his/her Personal Information, correct inaccurate Personal
Information, suspend the use of the Personal Information, etc., to the extent that the Act, theGDPR, the Chinese Laws and other laws pertaining to protection of the Personal Information in
the relevant country or region apply.
h. Filing of objections against handling of personal information
In the case where the applicant is dissatisfied with the handling of the Personal Information in
the Japan Foundation, such applicant may state his/her objections to the Japan Foundation to theextent permitted by the applicable laws and regulations. In accordance with the applicable laws
and regulations, the applicant may also file objections to the authority that has jurisdiction overprotection of the Personal Information in the country to which the applicant belongs.
i. Personal information of persons involved in the project
The Personal Information of persons involved in the project other than the applicant, which is
submitted by the applicant to the Japan Foundation, shall also be handled in the same manner as
stipulated in a. to h. above, and therefore, the applicants should provide explanations in advanceto the persons involved in the project and obtain their consent.
j. Contact information
Please contact the Japan Foundation, New York by e-mail at jpf.go.jp for any opinions,questions, etc. regarding any matters specified in this “Handling of personal information”
section. any matters specified in this “Handling of personal information” section.
k. Revocation of consent
The applicant has the right to revoke his/her consent to any matters specified in this “Handlingof personal information” section at any time. The revocation of consent does not affect thelegality of the handling of the Personal Information prior to the revocation. In addition, when theapplicant does not provide his/her consent or revokes his/her consent, such applicant may not beable to receive necessary information and/or services from the Japan Foundation.
(4) Response to the spread of infectious disease
Depending on the spread of infectious disease, appropriate measures may be required when
implementing a project in accordance with the regulations and instructions of the relevant
authorities. Please understand that the Japan Foundation may unavoidably change the substance ofits grant or the conditions attached, or ask Fellows to modify their plan, including their original
Fellowship commencement date, as a result of changes in circumstances that have occurred after thedecision to provide the grant.

9

RJS-FW (US)For fiscal 2025-2026
For US applicants only
(5) Ensuring the necessary safety and security of projects
Considering the recent instability in global security, with the increase of terrorist attacks inparticular, the Japan Foundation highly recommends that you take the necessary security measures
to ensure safety when you carry out your projects, including the following:a. Check if there are any security alerts issued in the countries and/or cities where your project is tobe conducted;
b. Share information on security and safety issues with people concerned with your research
project (if any).
10. Past Japanese Studies Fellows
You can refer to the past recipients of the Japanese Studies Fellowship at
https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/intel/study/fellowship/index.html

11. Application Procedures
The application deadline is 11:59pm EST on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Applications must be
submitted online at https://jfnyfellowship.smapply.io/. For further information or questions, pleasecontact:
Japanese Studies Fellowship Program
The Japan Foundation, New YorkE-mail: NY_jf_fellowship@jpf.go.jp
Tel: 212-489-0299

10