Are you a passionate young researcher eager to influence sustainable regional policy between ASEAN and Japan? Here’s your chance to contribute meaningfully to the future of Southeast Asia and Japan through the ASEAN-Japan Young Experts Fellowship Program 2025–2026, proudly launched by the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC).
About the Fellowship
The ASEAN-Japan Young Experts Fellowship Program is an exciting initiative designed to empower early-career researchers from ASEAN member states and Japan. This program supports small-scale research focused on critical regional issues while offering a platform for cross-border, interdisciplinary collaboration.
Fellows will explore policy-relevant topics, contribute to institutional dialogue, and present their research through AJC-hosted webinars and published working policy briefs.
Program Objectives
- Promote stronger ASEAN-Japan economic cooperation
- Foster meaningful policy-relevant research
- Strengthen research networks and collaboration
- Innovate solutions for regional socio-economic and environmental challenges.
Research Areas
Your research must include at least one ASEAN country and/or Japan. Focus areas include but are not limited to:
- Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)/FTA Utilization
- Decarbonization
- AI Governance
- AI and Workforce Development
- Circular Economy
- Green Supply Chain
- Digital Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs
- Renewable Energy
- Carbon Trading
- Sustainable Tourism.
Fellowship Benefits
- Grant Amount: ¥150,000 JPY per project
- Number of Awards: 4 fellowships available
- Research Duration: June 2025 – March 2026
- Platform for Publication: AJC webinars and policy brief publication
- Networking & Regional Engagement: Engage with ASEAN and Japanese thought leaders
Who Can Apply?
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Citizens of ASEAN member states or Japan
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Within 5 years of completing a PhD, or
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Non-PhD holders with 5–10 years of professional experience in the region
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Proposals must involve ASEAN-Japan collaborative research
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Both individual and collaborative research projects are welcome
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Research must be completed by March 31, 2026/
Submit Application: https://www.asean.or.jp/en/event-info/20250527/
Application Timeline
The application for the ASEAN-Japan Young Experts Fellowship Program 2025–2026 opens on May 26, 2025, and the deadline to apply is June 15, 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews, which will be conducted in English between July 10 and July 15, 2025. The final list of selected fellows will be announced on July 31, 2025, followed by the grant disbursement on August 1, 2025.