January 2024
Sakura Science Program Headquarters, JST

Sakura Invitation Program(Open Application)
Application Guidelines for FY2024 (Overview)
Application should be made by the Japanese host organization.
1. Basic framework of the program
1.1 Purpose
Countries share the future challenge of promoting research and development and transforming results
into innovations. In 2014, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) started the “Sakura ScienceProgram.” Since then, the program has invited talented young human resources for short-term visits toJapan, giving them the opportunity to experience Japan’s cutting-edge science and technology as well as its
culture. The Sakura Science Program’s objectives include:
To support the development of talented human resources from overseas who have the potential tocontribute to innovation in science and technology.
To Accelerate the international brain cycle.
To promote continuous collaboration, cooperation and interaction between Japanese educational andresearch institutes and overseas ones.
To strengthen good relationship between Japan and other countries and regions that will help scienceand technology diplomacy.

1.2 Countries or regions for invitation
Generally, all countries and regions are eligible for invitation.

1.3 Fields of exchange
Science and technology (natural sciences, humanities and social sciences)
1.4 Requirements for main invitees
The main invitees must meet the following requirements.
(1) Affiliation / Agei. High school students, technical college students
ii. University students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and persons who areengaged in work related to science and technology at public institutions
iii. Those who are 40 years old or under.
* Those who were enrolled in an eligible organization at the time of application but graduated or left theirposition by the time of the exchange program will no longer be accepted as participants. Exceptions include
the case that the candidate’s enrollment to graduate school has been confirmed by the sending organization.

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Sakura Science Program Headquarters, JST* In principle, those who are working in private companies are not eligible for invitation for this program.
However, those who are deemed essential for public business promotion can be approved as invitees.
(2) Experience of staying Japan
Among those who were mentioned in the above “(1) Affiliation / Age"For high school and technical college students, invitation through the Sakura Invitation Program
must be their first stay in Japan. Those who have visited Japan only for short-term sightseeing (upto 10 days) or stayed only in their childhood (up to 12 years old) are still eligible.
For university students or others, invitation through the Sakura Invitation Program must be theirfirst stay Japan after entering university. Those who have visited Japan only for short-termsightseeing (up to 10 days) are still eligible.

1.5 Requirements for supervisor
The supervisor should be a person who can lead the main invitees and play the role of promoting theentire exchange plan safely and smoothly. It is preferable that the supervisor be 40 years old or under andbe visiting Japan for the first time.
1.6 Requirements for Japanese host organization
Universities, technical colleges, high schools, national research and development corporations,
independent administrative agencies, private enterprises, local public entities, organizations having
corporate status such as public corporation or general corporation in Japan.
*In the case of private enterprises, only the airfare can be covered by JST.

1.7 Requirements for invitation period
The start date of the exchange plan should be after the day in “3. recruitment period” shown below. The
end date should be before March 14, 2025.

1.8 Exchange plans not covered① Those not relevant to science and technology, e.g., exchange plans aiming merely at holding events.
② Those whose main purpose is participation in events sponsored by other organizations.
③ Those with the purpose of profit.
④ Those training employees of the host organization or its subsidiaries.

1.9 Other important requirements (advance notification)
When inviting from China, it is necessary for the Chinese sending organization to file a notification withthe China Science and Technology Center, China-Japan Technical Cooperation Center, before applying to JST.
■ Information on notification will be announced on the website below as soon as the procedure anddeadlines are fixed.
https://ssp.jst.go.jp/form/index.html■ Precaution statement
Applications without this notification will not be accepted.
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January 2024
Sakura Science Program Headquarters, JSTThis notification must be submitted even if the exchange plan includes the invitees ofcountries and regions other than China.
Notification is not necessary for invitations from Hong Kong or Macao.

2. Requirements for exchange plan
The Sakura Invitation Program is a short-term invitation program to motivate continuous mutual
exchanges in the future. JST offers three courses with different purposes. Each course must have content
that increases interest towards the advanced science and technology of Japan, and enables young people
to explore their interest in research activities in Japan.
(1) Science and Technology Experience Course (Course A)
This course promotes exchange activities to experience advanced science and technology and tointeract with Japanese researchers and students, which ideally leads to continuous collaborations in thefield of science and technology. Exchange plans that focus mainly on experience and learning activities arerecommended for this course even if they include minor research or training activities.
(2) Collaborative Research Activity Course (Course B)
This course promotes activities to start international collaborative research and to involve invitees in
specific ongoing research. Exchange plans that only visit the laboratories or only provide students withsome experimental skills are not eligible.
(3) Science and Technology Training Course (Course C)
This course promotes intensive training to acquire specific skills or abilities to meet needs of sending
countries/regions or to solve global issues.
(Reference) Limit of numbers of invitees supported by JST
Course(Upper limit ofnumbers of days)

Course A(≤7 days in principal)

Course B(≤ 21 days)

Course C(≤ 10 days)

Number ofsendingorganizations

SingleMultiple

SingleMultiple

SingleMultiple

Main invitees~8~8~8~8~8~12Supervisors~1~2~1~2~1~2Total~8~8~8~8~8~12* The number of main invitees from one organization must be 8 or less.
* Multiple supervisors cannot participate from one organization.

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January 2024
Sakura Science Program Headquarters, JST

3. Recruitment period
Acceptance start

Deadline

Result notification

1January 25 (Thu)

February 22 (Thu)Mid April

2

February 23 (Fri)May 16 (Thu)Mid July3

May 17 (Fri)

September 9 (Mon)

Early November

Invitation period
Late May~ March 14, 2025
Late August~ March 14, 2025
Mid December~ March 14, 2025

4. Selection criteria (Abstract)(1) Purpose and outline
Exchange plans should align with the purpose of each course (A, B or C) and the purpose of program
shown in “1.1 Purpose”.
(2) Invitees
The organization (institution, faculty, laboratory etc.) of the invitees should have excellent young people
matched with the objectives and content of the exchange plan.
(3) Content and its significanceThe contents of the exchange should match the purpose and outline of the exchange plan.
Opportunities for active experiences and communication are preferred to passive tours.

5. Related procedures
5.1 Visa
The host organization should take responsibility for the visas of invitees, so that they can be obtained
before the departure date.
5.2 Joining Sakura Science ClubJST is promoting friendship among invitees and sponsoring the "Sakura Science Club" to generate interestin Japanese science and technology, and encourage exchanges that continue even after the program. In
principle, the invitees are registered as members of this club and can receive from JST information about
the science and technology of Japan and related educational institutions. JST will occasionally send out
questionnaires in order to improve the program, and appreciates the cooperation of invitees.

6. Expenses covered by JST- Airfare- Transportation, accommodation and meal fee in Japan- Admission fee for science museums and cultural facilities- Expenses to conduct essential events*In the case the host organization is a private enterprise, only airfare can be covered by JST.
*There is an upper limit for each fee.
*Transportation fee in the country/region of the invitees is not covered.
*JST supplies funds to the Japanese organization, not to invitees.

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