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Funding callLife sciences · Japan

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Short-term) - FY2027 2nd recruitment

The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Short-term) support pre- and postdoctoral researchers from North America and Europe in all fields to make a short-term research stay with a host researcher in Japan; the FY2027 second recruitment closes on 8 January 2027. This guide covers suitable research areas in the life sciences, eligibility and readiness checks, what reviewers typically value and how to plan an application with your host.

Pubrica InsightsEditorial team, reviewed by a subject specialist
Next deadline
8 January 2027
Last checked
10 November 2026
Funder
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Sources
1
Apply through the official call

Key dates

Application deadline
8 January 2027
Details last checked
10 November 2026
Apply through the official call

About the call

Funder
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Country
Japan
Scheme type
Fellowship
Funding
As stated in the call documents
Eligibility
Pre- and postdoctoral researchers from North America and Europe in all fields, applying through a host researcher in Japan for a short-term research stay.
Scope
Life sciences

Topics consistent with the call

  • Short experimental projects in molecular and cellular biology
  • Training in specialised techniques available in Japanese host laboratories
  • Collaborative data analysis in genomics and bioinformatics
  • Neuroscience projects using host-specific models or imaging facilities
  • Field or laboratory studies in ecology and environmental biology
  • Pilot experiments laying groundwork for longer-term collaboration

Based on the published scope; the official page sets out the full themes and requirements.

Is your work a fit? Check before you apply

  1. Confirm that you are a pre- or postdoctoral researcher from North America or Europe eligible under the JSPS rules.
  2. Secure agreement from a host researcher at an eligible institution in Japan.
  3. Design a focused project that can deliver results within a short-term stay.
  4. Check the host institution’s internal deadline, which may precede the JSPS deadline.
  5. Prepare a complete, institutionally approved application before the 8 January 2027 deadline.

Why This Funding Call Matters

Short-term research stays allow doctoral candidates and early postdoctoral researchers to learn new techniques, test ideas and establish international collaborations without committing to a long relocation. For researchers from North America and Europe, a stay in Japan can open access to distinctive expertise and facilities in the life sciences. This short-term fellowship can serve as a first step towards joint publications, longer fellowships or sustained partnerships between research groups.

Who Should Apply

Academic backgrounds

  • Molecular biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Bioinformatics
  • Ecology and evolution
  • Biomedical sciences

Institutions and sectors

  • Universities in North America and Europe
  • Japanese universities hosting fellows
  • Japanese research institutes

What Reviewers Typically Value

  1. A focused project with objectives achievable during the short stay.
  2. A clear explanation of what the host researcher and institution uniquely offer.
  3. Benefits for the applicant’s doctoral or postdoctoral training.
  4. Potential for continued collaboration after the fellowship.

Ideas You Could Develop

Live imaging techniquesA short stay to learn advanced live-cell imaging methods in a Japanese host lab and apply them to a thesis project.
Comparative genomics collaborationA project analysing genomic datasets with a Japanese group to compare gene regulation across related species.
Pilot experiments in ageingA stay to conduct pilot experiments on cellular ageing using a model system established at the host institute.

Your Plan to the Deadline

A suggested schedule working back from 8 January 2027. Adjust it to the stage your work has reached.

  1. By 13 Nov 2026

    Read the call documents; confirm eligibility, budget limits, assessment criteria and institutional requirements.

  2. By 27 Nov 2026

    Agree the research question, aims, team and partners; contact your research office.

  3. By 11 Dec 2026

    Draft the case for support, methods, impact and budget.

  4. By 25 Dec 2026

    Obtain internal review, letters of support and institutional sign-off.

  5. By 3 Jan 2027

    Final checks against the funder’s guidance and formatting rules.

  6. By 8 Jan 2027

    Submit through the funder’s system before the deadline.

What you gain

  • Funding for the research, team and resources it needs.
  • Recognition from a competitive, peer-reviewed process.
  • Reviewer feedback that strengthens future applications.
  • A track record for larger grants and fellowships.

What happens after you apply

  1. Eligibility check: the funder confirms the application meets the call rules.
  2. Peer review: external reviewers assess the proposal against the published criteria.
  3. Panel: a committee ranks proposals; some schemes include an interview.
  4. Decision: outcomes are released on the funder’s timetable.
  5. Award: successful applicants agree terms and reporting requirements before starting.

What the Funder Are Looking For

The fellowship seeks pre- and postdoctoral researchers from North America and Europe, in all fields, who will make a short-term research stay with a host researcher in Japan. Strong applications typically present a focused joint plan, a clear reason for the choice of host and benefits for the applicant’s training and future collaboration. Stay length, support provided and eligibility details should be confirmed in the JSPS application guidelines.

Read the official pageThis guide summarises the opportunity. Confirm deadlines, eligibility and requirements on the official page before you plan your work, and record the date you checked it.Open the official page

Expert help

How Pubrica Can Help

Pubrica’s subject specialists can help you prepare a competitive proposal, planned back from the deadline. You remain the author of your work.

Grant writingProposal writing structured to the funder’s guidance and assessment criteria. Literature review and gap analysisThe evidence base and the gap your proposal addresses. Study designStudy design and methods that reviewers can assess. Statistical analysis planSample size and analysis plans for the proposal. Data management planData management and sharing plans to funder requirements. Proposal editingEditing of the full proposal for clarity and consistency.
Go to the official page

FAQs

Questions Researchers Ask

The next published deadline is 8 January 2027. Dates can change, so confirm them on the official page before you plan your work.

The scheme is described as open to pre- and postdoctoral researchers, so doctoral candidates may be eligible if they meet the stated conditions. Check the JSPS application guidelines for the exact requirements on degree status and nationality or residence.

Pre- and postdoctoral researchers from North America and Europe in all fields, applying through a host researcher in Japan for a short-term research stay. Confirm the full eligibility rules in the call documents.

Yes. Pubrica’s specialists can review, write, edit and format your proposal. You remain the author and the person responsible for the submission.

Sources

  1. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). (2026). JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Short-term) - FY2027 2nd recruitment. Retrieved 10 November 2026, from https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-oubei-s/appliguidelines.html

How to cite this page

Pubrica Insights. (2026). JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Short-term) - FY2027 2nd recruitment. Pubrica. https://pubrica.com/insights/calls-and-conferences/jsps-postdoctoral-fellowships-for-research-in-japan-short-term-fy2027/

  • JSPS
  • Short-term fellowship
  • Japan
  • Doctoral researchers
  • Research mobility

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JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Short-term) - FY2027 2nd recruitmentNext deadline 8 January 2027

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