Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Overseas Researchers (Pathway to University Positions in Japan)

Fellowships are awarded to conduct research under the guidance of their hosts, cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions. Fellowships are offered for 12 to 24 months (April 1, 2015–November 30, 2015). Application for these grants is made by the host researcher through his/her institution.
Study Subject(s): All fields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences are included under this program.
Course Level: Fellowships are awarded for postdoctoral researchers to conduct research under the guidance of their hosts, cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions.
Scholarship Provider: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Scholarship can be taken at: Japan
Eligibility:
-Be a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan (JSPS treats Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers in this manner.)
-Hold a doctorate degree when the Fellowship goes into effect, which must have been received on or after April 2, 2005, or be scheduled to receive a doctorate degree before the Fellowship goes into effect. As of April 1, 2015, hold a position as an associate professor or equivalent.
-Have a desire to continue engaging in research and education at the host institution in a full-time employment capacity.
Scholarship Open for International Students: International applicants (a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan) can apply for these JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Scholarship Description: The fellowship’s purpose is to provide opportunities for young and excellent postdoctoral researchers from other countries to conduct, under the guidance of their hosts, cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions. The program allows such researchers to advance their own research while contributing to the progress of research in Japan and the counterpart countries.
Number of award(s): Approximately 20 postdoctoral fellowships will be offered.
Duration of award(s): Fellowships will be offered for 12 to 24 months (April 1, 2015–November 30, 2015).
What does it cover? Pathway fellowships will include:
-A round-trip air ticket (based on JSPS’s regulations)
-¥387,600 per month
-A settling-in allowance of ¥200,000, Overseas travel insurance, etc. A Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Tokubetsu Kenkyuin
Syoure-hi) of up to ¥1,500,000 per year (total of ¥3,000,000 for two years) is available to cover cooperative research-related
expenses. Application for these grants is made by the host researcher through his/her institution.
Selection Criteria: That the applying institution has established a clear vision and plan for internationalizing its research and education programs by employing in full-time positions overseas researchers, and is implementing a concrete program for that purpose (including providing an environment for promoting the full-time employment of overseas researchers).
-That concrete consideration is given by the host institution to employing the overseas fellow in a full-time position after his/her tenure under the fellowship ends.
-That the collaboration will contribute to advancing science in Japan and the
counterpart country.
-That the collaboration can be expected to advance research in the subject field.
-That the host researcher and candidate have established contact in advance and devised a concrete research plan.
-That a suitable space is prepared and facilities arranged at the host institution for the fellow to conduct research during his/her tenure
Notification: Applicants will be notified by late January 2015.
How to Apply: Applicants (host researchers) will be required to use JSPS’s web application system to apply for fellowships. Applications for this program must be submitted to JSPS by a host researcher in Japan through the head of his/her university or institution. Foreign postdoctoral researchers wishing to participate in this program are advised to establish contact with a Japanese or foreign-resident researcher in their field and to ask him/her to submit an application. They should make this contact well in advance of the host institution’s application deadline indicated below. The application process is as follows:
-Contact made between candidate and applicant (host researcher)
-Applicant (host researcher) submits an application to institution’s head office
-Office submits application to JSPS
Materials to be submitted: Materials to be prepared by the applicant (host researcher) and submitted to his/her institution
-Application form to be filled in by the host researcher (Form 1)
-Application form to be filled in by the foreign candidate (Form 2)
- A letter of reference/recommendation from the candidate’s current or previous academic supervisor (not from his/her prospective host researcher in Japan)
Note: Only successful candidates will be required to provide a doctoral degree certificate or a copy of their diploma if already received.
Materials to be prepared by the administrative office of the host institution:
-Number of applications
-List of candidates
Scholarship Application Deadline: The application submission periods for the host institution’s administrative office are as follows: Arrive by 1 – 5 September 2014.

• FY2015-2016 Application Guidelines
  
• FY2015-2016 Application Form
  
• FY2015-2016 Points to Keep in Mind
  
• FAQ for Candidates
  

 
http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/postdoctoral_pup.html

外国人特別研究員（一般・欧米短期･定着促進・戦略的プログラム）諸手続の手引

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平成26年度から、外国人特別研究員事業に係る採用後の様式及び手続きを大幅に変更しております。 平成25年度以前の外国人特別研究員（一般、欧米短期、戦略的プログラム、定着促進）事業の採用者にも適用することとなりましたのでご注意ください。 『平成２６年度 外国人特別研究員事業 諸手続の手引』の適用について(通知）（PDF) 新旧対照表(抜粋）はこちら(PDF) 参考　過去の外国人特別研究員諸手続の手引

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※このQ&Aは平成25年度採用者に配布した「日本学術振興会外国人特別研究員事業諸手続きの手引（Program Guidelines）」の内容を詳しく説明したものです。 「手引」をよく読んでから利用してください。
※このQ&Aは外国人特別研究員(一般)事業用です。他の外国人特別研究員事業には必ずしも当てはまらない場合がありますので、ご注意願います。

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