Selection Process for Applications Recruited in Japan under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan (Standard)

1. Selection Process
   Selection of applicants (Japanese host researchers) recruited in Japan under the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research in Japan is done by JSPS International Program Committee and 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.
2. The fellowship’s selection policy
   The fellowship’s selection policy is as follows:
   
   1. Collaboration by the applicant (host researcher) and candidate (foreign researcher) will contribute to advancing science in Japan and counterpart country.
   2. Collaboration by the applicant and candidate must be expected to advance the subject research.
   3. The applicant and candidate must have established contact in advance and created a concrete research plan.
   4. The applicant's institution must establish a suitable place for the candidate to work and stay.
   5. As much as possible, unbalance should avoided in the selectees' nationalities, host institutions, areas of specialization. Care should be taken to allow people from a wide diversity of countries to come to Japan. 
   6. That not only the score of the document review but also the examiners' reasons and comments are to be given adequate consideration.
   7. That two selection judgements be made: (1) Selected and (2) Not-selected.
3. Document Review Section and Panel Review Section
   As the screening of the applicant's (host researcher's) application will be carried out based on the screening category that s/he chooses, be sure to select the appropriate "Document Review Section" and "Panel Review Section" in accordance with the Review Section Table.
   Please refer to the Application Guidelines website.
4. Document Review
   Document reviews are conducted by six 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.

5. 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.

   Two recruitments are held each year. The selection for the first is conducted in November of the previous year, with the results notified to the head of the host institution in late in December. The selection for the second recruitment is conducted in July of the same year, with the results notified to the head of the host institution in the middle of August.

6. Schedule
   The application and selection schedules are as follows: