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Funding callLife sciences · Japan

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

The JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Standard) support foreign early-career postdoctoral researchers in all fields to conduct research with a host researcher at a Japanese institution; the FY2027 second recruitment closes on 23 April 2027 for host institutions’ submissions to JSPS. 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
23 April 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
23 April 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
Foreign early-career postdoctoral researchers in all fields, applying through a host researcher at a Japanese institution (the deadline is for the host institution's submission to JSPS).
Scope
Life sciences

Topics consistent with the call

  • Molecular and cellular biology research in Japanese host laboratories
  • Stem cell, regenerative medicine and developmental biology
  • Neuroscience and brain science using advanced experimental methods
  • Immunology, microbiology and infectious disease research
  • Structural biology, biochemistry and chemical biology
  • Plant science, ecology and environmental life sciences

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 meet JSPS nationality and early-career postdoctoral eligibility requirements.
  2. Secure agreement from a host researcher at an eligible Japanese institution.
  3. Note that the 23 April 2027 deadline applies to the host institution’s submission, so internal deadlines will be earlier.
  4. Develop a joint research plan showing how the collaboration benefits both sides.
  5. Prepare a complete, institutionally approved application in time for the host’s internal deadline.

Why This Funding Call Matters

Japan hosts internationally recognised research groups in many life science fields, and a postdoctoral fellowship there can offer access to distinctive techniques, facilities and collaborators. The JSPS Standard fellowship gives foreign early-career researchers an opportunity to build research independence while developing long-term links with Japanese science. For applicants and hosts alike, the scheme can lay the foundation for continuing collaboration, joint publications and further exchanges beyond the fellowship period.

Who Should Apply

Academic backgrounds

  • Molecular and cell biology
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Plant biology

Institutions and sectors

  • Japanese national and private universities
  • Japanese public research institutes
  • Inter-university research institutes

What Reviewers Typically Value

  1. A well-designed research plan developed jointly with the host researcher.
  2. A clear rationale for conducting the research in Japan and with the chosen host.
  3. A strong publication and research record for the applicant’s career stage.
  4. Potential for lasting collaboration between the applicant and Japanese researchers.

Ideas You Could Develop

iPS cell disease modellingA project with a Japanese host lab using induced pluripotent stem cells to model a rare neurological disorder.
Circadian biology in metabolismA study examining how circadian clock genes regulate metabolic tissues using mouse models available at the host institute.
Plant–microbe interactionsA project investigating root microbiome signalling in rice in collaboration with a Japanese plant science group.

Your Plan to the Deadline

A suggested schedule working back from 23 April 2027. Adjust it to the stage your work has reached.

  1. By 26 Feb 2027

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

  2. By 12 Mar 2027

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

  3. By 26 Mar 2027

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

  4. By 9 Apr 2027

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

  5. By 18 Apr 2027

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

  6. By 23 Apr 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 foreign early-career postdoctoral researchers in all fields who will conduct research with a host researcher in Japan. Applications are submitted through the host institution, which sends them to JSPS by the stated deadline. Strong applications typically show a high-quality joint research plan, a clear reason for the choice of host and the applicant’s potential. Stipend, duration 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 23 April 2027. Dates can change, so confirm them on the official page before you plan your work.

The call states that applications are submitted by the host institution, and the deadline refers to that submission. Agree a timeline with your host researcher and check the JSPS application guidelines for the exact procedure.

Foreign early-career postdoctoral researchers in all fields, applying through a host researcher at a Japanese institution (the deadline is for the host institution's submission to JSPS). 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 (Standard) - FY2027 2nd recruitment. Retrieved 10 November 2026, from https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-ippan/appliguidelines.html

How to cite this page

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

  • JSPS
  • Postdoctoral fellowship
  • Japan
  • Life sciences
  • International collaboration

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JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan (Standard) - FY2027 2nd recruitmentNext deadline 23 April 2027

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