Selection of applicants（host researcher）and candidate（invited overseas researcher）are done by JSPS International Program Committee made up of the Japan's frontline researchers. The selection is carried out through a document review in the first stage and a panel review in the second.
To ensure the integrity of the review process, any reviewer with a potential conflict of interest will be removed from the Review Committee for the relevant review. Moreover, all Members of the Review Committee are obliged to comply with confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement. 
For information on the members of the JSPS International Program Committee, please refer to the Committee Member List (Japanese Only).

1. That the collaboration will contribute to advancing science in Japan and other countries.
2. That the collaboration can be expected to advance research in the subject field. Evaluation should place emphasis on researchers invited from other countries.
3. That the applicant (host researcher) and candidate have established contact in advance and created a concrete research plan.
4. That the host institution has adequately prepared a system for receiving the candidate.
5. That the plan can be carried out within the period of the candidate's fellowship tenure.
6. That the plan has as its objective joint research or other collaborative activities between the researcher(s) in Japan and overseas researcher(s).
7. That, as much as possible, unbalance should avoided in the selectees' nationalities, host institutions and areas of specialization.
8. That not only the score of the document review but also the examiners' reasons and comments are to be given adequate consideration.
9. That the number of selectees with Japanese nationality be no more than about 3% of all the selectees under one recruitment for an application deadline.
10. That two selection judgements be made: (1) Selected and (2) Not-selected.

1. That the collaboration will contribute to advancing science in Japan and other countries.
2. That the collaboration can be expected to advance research in the subject field. Evaluation should place emphasis on researchers invited from other countries.
3. That the applicant (host researcher) and candidate have established contact in advance and created a concrete activity plan.
4. That the host institution has adequately prepared a system for receiving the candidate.
5. That the plan can be carried out within the period of the candidate's fellowship tenure.
6. That the plan has as its objective lectures, discussions or other exchange activities held not only in the host institution but also in some other institutions. That the plan also includes instructive opportunities to foster young researchers.
7. That, as much as possible, unbalance should avoided in the selectees' nationalities, host institutions and areas of specialization.
8. That not only the score of the document review but also the examiners' reasons and comments are to be given adequate consideration.
9. That the number of selectees with Japanese nationality be no more than about 3% of all the selectees under one recruitment for an application deadline.
10. That two selection judgements be made: (1) Selected and (2) Not-selected.

The applicant (host researcher) is to choose the category in which they want the application to be screened from the Review Section Table. When doing so please refer to the Review Section Set, which pairs the review section with the reviewers who will carry out the screening. 
Document screenings and panel reviews are conducted on an individual basis, with each unit based on Review Section Sets. The Review Section Sets are established in accordance with the Review Section Table and are grouped together based on the criteria of related review sections. This enables the Review Committee Members to conduct a fair and comparative assessment. Review Committee Members are selected in a balanced manner according to the relevant review section sets to ensure a diverse range of perspectives in the reviews. 
Please refer to the Application Guidelines (Open Call) page.

Document reviews are conducted by three examiners for each application. Based on contents of the application, experts in the subject field are assigned to conduct the review.
In the document review, a graduated scoring system is used on a scale 1 to 5, with 5 (superlative), 4 (excellent), 3 (good), 2 (fair), and 1 (poor).
Marks are made on a comprehensive basis, taking into account research achievements, the research plan, estimated research capacity, and future potential of the research. The averaged score in the document review is used as the primary screening criterion in the panel review.

Based on the document review scores, applications are referred for panel review, through which a specified number of applicants are selected in each of the panel review section.
For information on the  application schedule, please refer to the Application Schedule page.