JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026: ¥362,000/Month, Eligibility & How to Apply

What is the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026?

The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan 2026 is one of the most prestigious international research fellowship programs in the world, offered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). It provides excellent postdoctoral researchers from across the globe with the opportunity to conduct collaborative research at leading Japanese universities and research institutions.

The program is designed to advance scientific research, foster international academic exchange, and help overseas researchers build strong professional connections within Japan's world-class research ecosystem. Researchers from all fields — humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences — are eligible to apply.

Indian researchers looking for international fellowship opportunities can explore this and other global research fellowships listed on ProjectSarthi.com — India's leading government schemes and fellowship discovery portal.

Types of JSPS Fellowships 2026

JSPS offers four categories of fellowships to match different research goals and career stages:

This article covers the Standard [P] and Short-term PE [PE] programs in detail, as these are the most relevant for early-career researchers including those from India.

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 — Application Deadlines

Standard [P] Fellowship Deadlines

Short-term PE [PE] Fellowship Deadlines

Important: Each host institution may have its own internal deadline — often more than one month before the JSPS deadline. Always check with your host institution first.

Financial Support — JSPS Fellowship Stipend & Benefits

Standard [P] Fellowship Benefits

Short-term PE [PE] Fellowship Benefits

Eligibility Criteria — JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

Host Researcher (Applicant) Eligibility

The host researcher in Japan must satisfy both conditions below at the time of application, selection, and throughout the fellowship period:

• Must be affiliated with a MEXT-designated research institution eligible for KAKENHI (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research) — such as universities, inter-university research institutes, MEXT-affiliated institutions, colleges of technology, or MEXT-designated institutions.
• Must be a full-time researcher (or equivalent, as determined by the host institution).
• Each host researcher may submit up to three applications per recruitment.

Candidate (Overseas Researcher) Eligibility — Standard [P]

The following conditions must be satisfied as of April 1, 2026 and throughout the fellowship period:

• Must be a citizen of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan (Taiwan and Palestine are included). This includes Indian researchers.
• Must have obtained a doctoral degree within 6 years of the fellowship start date — i.e., on or after April 2, 2020.
• Whether or not the candidate is currently employed full-time is not considered.

Who is NOT eligible for Standard [P]:

• Candidates who have previously been awarded and started a fellowship under JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship [P] or [PU] programs.
• Foreigners permanently residing in Japan with permanent residence status.
• Japanese nationals (except those who have resided abroad for 10+ years for invitational programs).

Note on maternity/parental leave: Time taken for maternity or parental leave is deducted when calculating the 6-year PhD eligibility window. Every 4 weeks of leave counts as 1 month. Separate submission documents are required — consult JSPS via the host institution in advance.

Candidate Eligibility — Short-term PE [PE]

• Must be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible country: USA, Canada, EU countries (as of April 1, 2025), UK, Switzerland, Norway, or Russia.
• Also eligible: Researchers who have been continuously engaged in research for at least 3 years at a university in one of these countries (from a country with diplomatic ties with Japan).
• Must have obtained a PhD within 6 years of the fellowship start date (on or after April 2, 2020), OR currently be enrolled in a doctoral program and scheduled to receive a PhD within 2 years of starting research in Japan.
• Must not have a mailing address in Japan (Residence Card holders are not eligible).

Note for Indian researchers: The Short-term PE program is limited to US, Canada, and European countries. Indian researchers should apply under the Standard [P] program. For more fellowships available to Indian scholars, visit ProjectSarthi.com's Fellowship section.

Required Documents — JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Application

Standard [P] Program Forms

Note: Form 2 and the Letter of Recommendation must be uploaded in PDF or Word format. Forms may be filled in English or Japanese unless otherwise specified.

How to Apply for JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

1. Find a Host Researcher in Japan: Applications cannot be submitted directly by overseas candidates — a Japanese host researcher affiliated with an eligible institution must submit the application on your behalf.
2. Prepare Application Forms Together: The host researcher and overseas candidate jointly prepare the required forms — especially Form 2 (by the candidate) and Form 1 (by the host researcher).
3. Obtain a Letter of Recommendation: Your doctoral supervisor or another qualified recommender (not the host researcher) must provide a signed one-page letter of recommendation.
4. Host Researcher Logs into JSPS System: The host researcher logs into the JSPS Electronic Application System, completes Form 1, and uploads Form 2 and the Letter of Recommendation.
5. Submit to Host Institution: The host researcher submits the application to the host institution by its internal deadline (which may be 1+ months before JSPS's official deadline).
6. Host Institution Submits to JSPS: The host institution verifies the application, gets approval from its head, and submits to JSPS by the official application deadline.

Important: Applications sent after the deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Selection Process

• Selection is conducted by the JSPS International Program Committee through a two-stage process: a document review (Stage 1) followed by a panel review (Stage 2).
• For Standard [P]: 6 examiners review each application. For Short-term PE and Invitational: 3 examiners per application.
• Experts are assigned based on the applicant's subject field.
• Two outcomes are possible: Selected or Not Selected.
• For [P], [L] and [S] programs, unsuccessful applicants can see their approximate ranking on the JSPS Electronic Application System (Non-selected A = top 20%, B = 21–50%, C = below 50%).
• Results are notified to the head of the host institution. Unsuccessful candidates are notified by the host researcher, not directly by JSPS.

Screening Criteria (Standard [P])

• The collaboration contributes to advancing science in Japan and other countries
• Both the candidate's and applicant's research work will be advanced
• The applicant and candidate have established prior contact and created a concrete research plan
• The host institution has prepared a suitable research environment (laboratory, space, facilities)
• Diversity in nationalities, host institutions, and research specializations is maintained

Obligations of Fellows

• Fellows must reside in Japan continuously throughout the fellowship tenure — temporary absences require prior JSPS approval.
• Fellows must concentrate on their research and not engage in other paid work. Permitted activities include: research-related teaching at the host institution, participating in closely related research projects, outreach activities relevant to their research, and JSPS-organized events.
• Fellows must submit a research report before the JSPS deadline using the prescribed format.
• When publishing research results obtained under the fellowship, fellows must acknowledge JSPS in their papers using the following format: "This work was supported by JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan."
• Fellows must comply with Japan's laws and research ethics guidelines, including prohibitions on fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
• Fellows must not commit any human rights violations — including racial or gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or abuse of authority.

Important Rules & Conditions

• A successful candidate must start their fellowship during the period specified in their Award Letter — if not, the fellowship is revoked.
• Selected candidates must submit their doctoral diploma or degree certificate before the fellowship starts. If not submitted, the fellowship is cancelled.
• Generative AI may be used in preparing applications, but risks of copyright infringement and information leakage are the applicant's responsibility.
• Parallel applications by the same candidate through different host researchers in the same call: only one application is accepted.
• A candidate may apply for only one of [P], [L], or [S] in a given call.
• Host researchers who are punished for unethical conduct are banned from applying for JSPS fellowships for 5 years.

JSPS Fellowship for Indian Researchers

Indian researchers are eligible for the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Standard [P] program, as India has full diplomatic relations with Japan. The Standard fellowship offers ¥362,000 (~₹2.4 lakh) per month — making it one of the highest-paying postdoctoral fellowships available to Indian scientists and social science researchers.

Key things Indian researchers should know:

• You cannot apply directly — you need a Japanese host researcher to initiate the application.
• The PhD must have been obtained on or after April 2, 2020 to be eligible for the 2026 cycle.
• The Short-term PE program is NOT open to Indian researchers — it is limited to US, Canada, and European countries.
• Tuberculosis (TB) screening (JPETS) applies to Indian nationals planning medium-to-long term stay in Japan.

Looking for more fellowship opportunities in India and abroad? Browse the complete fellowship database on ProjectSarthi.com, which covers government schemes, scholarships, and fellowships for Indian researchers across all disciplines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026?

Any researcher who has obtained a doctoral degree within 6 years of the fellowship start date (on or after April 2, 2020) and is a citizen of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Applications must be submitted through a Japanese host researcher at an eligible institution.

What is the monthly stipend for JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship?

The monthly maintenance allowance is ¥362,000 for PhD holders, plus a one-time settling-in allowance of ¥200,000 and round-trip airfare under the Standard [P] program.

Can Indian researchers apply for JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship?

Yes. Indian researchers are eligible for the Standard [P] fellowship. However, they are not eligible for the Short-term PE [PE] program, which is restricted to researchers from the US, Canada, and European countries.

What is the deadline for JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 (2nd Recruitment)?

The deadline for the 2nd recruitment of the Standard [P] and Short-term PE programs is April 28, 2026 at 5 p.m. JST. Note that your host institution may have an earlier internal deadline.

Can I apply directly to JSPS for this fellowship?

No. Applications must be submitted by the host researcher in Japan via the host institution. Overseas candidates cannot submit applications directly. You need to first find a willing host researcher at a Japanese university or research institute.

How long does the JSPS Standard Fellowship last?

The Standard [P] fellowship duration is 12 to 24 months. The fellowship must be taken continuously — it cannot be split into multiple stays.

Can I work during the JSPS fellowship?

Fellows must concentrate on research and cannot engage in other paid employment. Limited activities are permitted: teaching at the host institution, participating in closely related research projects, outreach activities, and JSPS events — but fellows must not be hired for these activities.

What happens if I fail to submit my PhD certificate before the fellowship starts?

The fellowship will be cancelled or withdrawn. The PhD diploma or degree certificate must be submitted to arrive at JSPS before the fellowship's start date.

Is the JSPS fellowship renewable?

No. Once the fellowship tenure is completed, it cannot be renewed. Researchers who have previously been awarded and started a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship under [P] or [PU] are not eligible to apply again.

Where can I find more research fellowships for Indian scholars?

Visit ProjectSarthi.com — a comprehensive portal covering government schemes, scholarships, and research fellowships for Indian citizens across all disciplines and career stages.

Conclusion

The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 is a world-class opportunity for early-career researchers to conduct advanced collaborative research in Japan with a monthly stipend of ¥362,000, return airfare, and a settling-in allowance. For Indian researchers with a PhD obtained after April 2020 and a collaborative research interest, the Standard [P] program is the most accessible route. The 2nd recruitment deadline is April 28, 2026 — begin your host researcher outreach well in advance.

For Indian researchers looking to explore other funding opportunities alongside JSPS, browse the full list of research fellowships and government-funded schemes at ProjectSarthi.com.