If you are a young researcher dreaming of spending your summer inside Japan’s most advanced universities and laboratories, this is one of the most exciting academic opportunities of 2026.
The JSPS–SOKENDAI Summer Program (implemented under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships framework and carried out in partnership with The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI) is now drawing major attention worldwide as a prestigious, fully funded research fellowship designed for talented pre-doctoral and postdoctoral scholars from North America and Europe.
This is not just a short academic visit. It is a two (02) month research immersion in Japan where selected fellows can pursue independent research under the guidance of an expert host researcher at a Japanese university or research institute—while also receiving an orientation on Japanese culture and access to Japanese language learning.
For researchers who want international exposure, strong mentorship, and a serious boost to their academic career trajectory, the JSPS–SOKENDAI Summer Program can be the kind of opportunity that turns a “good research profile” into a global one.
What the JSPS–SOKENDAI Summer Program Offers?
Winning the JSPS–SOKENDAI Summer Program Fellowship means you are fully supported to focus entirely on research without financial stress, while living and working in Japan for two summer months.
This fellowship is structured to remove major cost barriers for international researchers by covering travel, living expenses, insurance, and additional research support—making it one of the strongest short-term fully funded research programs available for young scholars targeting Japan.
Selected fellows benefit from Japan’s research excellence, structured program support, and SOKENDAI’s role in implementing the orientation and academic coordination elements that help visiting researchers settle quickly and perform at their best.
The Financial Support Includes:
-
Round-trip international airfare (a round-trip air ticket)
- Maintenance allowance of 534,000 JPY for the full program period
- Overseas travel insurance coverage
- Optional research support allowance of up to 158,500 JPY (applied by the host researcher through their institution)
- Orientation on Japanese culture and Japanese language learning opportunities (program-supported).
Eligibility Requirements (Who Can Apply?)
The JSPS–SOKENDAI Summer Program is designed for outstanding young researchers who want to grow into long-term academic professionals through international collaboration.
To qualify, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, or Sweden
- Applicants from other countries may be considered only if approved by a nominating authority in one of the listed countries
- Must not have a residential address in Japan at the time of the application deadline set by the nominating authority (including residence card holders)
- Must not have Japanese nationality (even if holding resident status in an eligible country)
- Must meet one academic status condition by the program start date:
- Enrolled in a university graduate program, or
- Earned a PhD within the past six years (on or after April 2, 2020)
- Must obtain prior acceptance from a host researcher in Japan
- Must aspire to become a researcher in the future
- Must not have previously been awarded a fellowship under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan
- Must be able to arrive and depart according to the schedule designated by the JSPS–SOKENDAI Summer Program.
How to Apply for the JSPS–SOKENDAI Summer Program 2026 (Step-by-Step Process)
The application is simple in structure but strategic in execution, because candidates must secure a host first and then apply through their official nominating authority.
Here’s the streamlined process in an interactive, SEO-friendly format:
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility
Check your nationality rules, academic status, and the “PhD within six years” condition (if applicable).
Step 2: Identify a host researcher in Japan
Search for a suitable supervisor at an eligible Japanese university or research institute.
Step 3: Secure host acceptance (required)
Obtain confirmation from your host researcher—this is mandatory before nomination.
Step 4: Apply through your nominating authority
Submit your application to the official overseas partner/authority responsible for your country pathway.
Link: https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/e-summer/index.html
Step 5: Nominating authority screening and nomination
Your national partner evaluates applications and nominates selected candidates to JSPS.
Step 6: Final decision and program placement
JSPS makes the final selection and confirms participation for the two-month summer research stay, implemented with SOKENDAI program support.