Matsumae International Foundation Research Fellowship
Funding
Fully Funded
Covers
stipend + travel
Stipend
JPY 220,000 per month, plus a JPY 120,000 arrival fund
Deadline
Usually in June

Matsumae International Foundation Research Fellowship 2026

About this scholarship

Fully funded postdoctoral research fellowship in Japan for non-Japanese researchers in agriculture, natural science, engineering, and medicine.

The Matsumae International Foundation Research Fellowship is a postdoctoral research programme offered by the Matsumae International Foundation in Japan. It supports non-Japanese researchers who wish to carry out research at a Japanese host institution while building international academic exchange and mutual understanding.

This fellowship is designed for postdoctoral-level researchers and is typically open in fields such as agriculture, natural science, engineering, and medicine. Applicants must first secure acceptance from a host institution in Japan, which may include universities or national research institutes, before submitting their fellowship application.

The programme is fully funded based on the referenced postings. Support includes a monthly allowance for living and research expenses, an arrival fund, round-trip economy airfare between the applicant's nearest international airport and Tokyo, overseas travel insurance, and a study tour to Hiroshima. The fellowship is intended to help cover essential living costs and research-related activity during the stay in Japan.

To be eligible, applicants must be non-Japanese nationals, hold a Ph.D. at the time of application, and generally be age 45 or younger. The programme also expects applicants to have a full-time position in their home country and to plan to return there after the fellowship. Candidates with a past or current long-term stay in Japan are usually not eligible, although short visits such as tourism or conference attendance may be acceptable.

Applications are generally made through the foundation after obtaining consent from a Japanese host. Prospective applicants should review the latest official guidance carefully, prepare their research plan and supporting documents, and confirm all current conditions directly with the foundation before applying.

Eligibility

Who can apply for this scholarship

Applicants must be non-Japanese nationals, hold a Ph.D. by the time of application, be 45 years old or younger, have a full-time occupation in their home country, and intend to return there after the fellowship. They must not have had a past or current long-term stay in Japan, except for short visits such as sightseeing or conferences, and they must secure acceptance from a host institution in Japan before applying.

Study levelPostDoc
Age limitUp to 45
Host countryJAPAN
Eligible subjectsAgriculture, Biology, Chemical_Eng, Civil_Eng, Electrical_Eng
Open toInternational applicants

Requirements

Documents typically needed to apply

01Applicants are expected to arrange acceptance from a Japanese host institution in advance and submit the foundation's required application materials
02typically including a research proposal
03academic and professional information
04and supporting documents demonstrating eligibility and host acceptance. A Ph.D. is required at the time of application.

Language requirements

Sufficient English or Japanese ability to conduct research in Japan.

Fully FundedPostDoc
Applications close
Usually in June
Annual
Last updated: Jun 2026
What’s covered
Tuition fees
Maintenance stipend
Travel allowance
Accommodation
Duration
Currency
JPY

Where you can use this

Open positions accepting Matsumae International Foundation Research Fellowship.