Four Funding Opportunities in Japan for ASEAN Students and Researchers – 2026 Deadlines

Four funding opportunities in Japan are currently available to eligible students, postdoctoral researchers, university faculty members and researchers from ASEAN countries. The programmes cover doctoral study, research internships, postdoctoral research and academic visits to Japanese institutions.

1. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan – Standard Programme

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) offers the FY2027 Standard Postdoctoral Fellowship for researchers from countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Japan, including ASEAN Member States.

The fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers conducting collaborative research at eligible universities and research institutions in Japan.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Hold citizenship of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.

Have received a doctoral degree on or after 2 April 2021; or

Be scheduled to receive a doctoral degree before the fellowship begins.

Secure an eligible host researcher and host institution in Japan.

Applicants holding Japanese citizenship or permanent residence status in Japan are not eligible under the standard overseas-candidate conditions.

Fellowship duration

12–24 months.

Financial support

Monthly maintenance allowance: JPY 362,000.

Round-trip economy-class airfare.

Settling-in allowance: JPY 200,000.

Overseas travel insurance.

Research expenses may be available through a separate Grant-in-Aid application submitted by the host institution.

Application deadline

28 August 2026, 5:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time

This is the deadline for the Japanese host institution to submit the application to JSPS. Host institutions may impose earlier internal deadlines. Individual candidates cannot submit applications directly to JSPS.

Official information

JSPS FY2027 application schedule

FY2027 JSPS International Fellowships Application Guidelines

2. JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan

The JSPS Invitational Fellowships enable established researchers from overseas universities and research institutions to conduct collaborative research, deliver lectures and exchange academic knowledge with researchers in Japan.

Applicants from ASEAN countries may participate through eligible Japanese host researchers and institutions.

Two fellowship categories are available.

Long-term Fellowship

Duration: 2–10 months.

Monthly maintenance allowance: JPY 387,600.

Round-trip economy-class airfare.

Overseas travel insurance.

Research support allowance of up to JPY 150,000.

Short-term Fellowship

Duration: 14–60 days.

Maintenance allowance: JPY 18,000 per day.

Round-trip economy-class airfare.

Overseas travel insurance.

Research support allowance of up to JPY 150,000.

Eligibility

Candidates must normally be full-time researchers at overseas universities or research institutions and hold a position equivalent to an assistant professor, associate professor or professor in Japan.

Researchers holding other positions may apply if they received their doctoral degree at least six years previously and have continuously conducted research at an overseas university or research institution.

Application deadline

28 August 2026, 5:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time

Applications must be submitted by a host researcher in Japan through the host institution. Candidates cannot apply directly to JSPS.

Official information

JSPS Invitational Fellowships for Research in Japan

FY2027 JSPS International Fellowships Application Guidelines

3. OIST Research Internship Programme – Spring 2027

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University offers a funded research internship for students seeking practical research experience under the supervision of OIST faculty members.

Research areas include physics, chemistry, mathematics, computational science, neuroscience, biological sciences, environmental science, marine science and quantum science.

Eligibility

Applications are open to:

Students in the final two years of a bachelor’s degree.

Students enrolled in any year of a master’s degree.

Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Students at universities and eligible educational institutions in Japan or overseas.

Current doctoral students and applicants who have already completed a PhD are not eligible. Students who are currently enrolled must obtain approval from their home institution.

Internship period

The internship must last between four and six months and take place between 1 April and 30 September 2027.

Financial support

One direct round-trip air ticket.

Furnished accommodation funded by OIST or the host research unit.

Internship allowance of JPY 2,400 per working day.

OIST shuttle bus pass.

Administrative support for visa and registration procedures.

Application deadline

15 October 2026, 11:59 p.m. Japan Standard Time

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted online in English.

Official information

OIST Research Internship application and eligibility

OIST Research Internship programme and financial support

4. OIST Fully Funded PhD Programme

OIST offers a fully funded five-year PhD programme taught in English. The programme begins with laboratory rotations before students select their thesis research area and supervisor.

The programme covers a broad range of interdisciplinary research fields in science and technology.

Eligibility

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or equivalent qualification before the enrolment date. Applicants from ASEAN countries and other international applicants are eligible.

OIST does not require applicants to secure approval from a faculty supervisor before submitting the application.

Financial support

Financial support starting at approximately JPY 2.6 million in the first year.

Support increasing with academic progress to approximately JPY 3.6 million.

Tuition support as part of the fully funded programme.

Separate funding for approved domestic and international conference travel.

Subsidised on-campus accommodation.

Student accident and liability insurance.

Visa-document assistance for international students.

Financial support is taxable under Japanese regulations.

Application deadline

15 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. Japan Standard Time

Successful applicants may enrol on 1 May 2027, 1 September 2027 or 1 January 2028, according to the admission arrangements.

Official information

OIST PhD application, eligibility and schedule

OIST student and financial support

Important Application Information

The two JSPS programmes require applications to be submitted through host researchers and host institutions in Japan. Institutional deadlines may be earlier than the official JSPS deadlines.

The OIST Research Internship and PhD Programme accept direct online applications from eligible international candidates. Applicants should prepare academic transcripts, degree or enrolment certificates, statements of purpose, curricula vitae and academic recommendation letters before the respective deadlines.