Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

This page presents an easy-to-understand explanation of
JSPS and the support it provides.

Organization

Founding Year

December 1932December 1932

Founded in 1932 with an endowment of Emperor Showa, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), or Gakushin for short, is Japan’s sole independent funding agency, established by way of a national law for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of science in all fields of the natural and social sciences and the humanities.
JSPS is an independent administrative institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Related Information

Organization

Number of Executives and Employees
and Male/Female Ratio

The number of staff members is 278. Male 35%, Female 65%The number of staff members is 278. Male 35%, Female 65%

Excluding fixed-term employees, the number of staff members is 188.
In recent years, there have been about 10 newly hired staff members each year, and the percentage of permanent employee (excluding seconded employees) in the total workforce has been increasing.

As of April 1, 2024, including fixed-term employees

Organization

Average Age of Staff Members

The average age is 35.3 years old.The average age is 35.3 years old.

JSPS is an age-diverse workplace. Supervisors are approachable to their subordinates, being receptive to their opinions and ideas.

As of April 1, 2024

Organization

Number of Staff Members with
Postgraduate Degrees

The number of staff members with doctoral degrees is 8, with master's degrees is 71.The number of staff members with doctoral degrees is 8, with master's degrees is 71.

There are some staff members who have experience of Research Fellowships for Young Researchers (Doctoral Course Students; DC) of the JSPS programs.
Staff members well-versed in the front lines of research also engage actively at JSPS.

As of April 1, 2024

Organization

Staff Composition

The number of permanent employees is 98, seconded employees from MEXT is 32, seconded employees from universities is 53, and other employees is 15.The number of permanent employees is 98, seconded employees from MEXT is 32, seconded employees from universities is 53, and other employees is 15.

JSPS is composed of a diverse group of staff members, including those seconded from universities and other institutions across Japan and from the MEXT.

As of April 1, 2024

Organization

Annual Budget

Graph of annual budget from FY2020 to FY2024, FY2020 269.2 billion yen, FY2021 267.8 billion yen, FY2022 266.1 billion yen, FY2023 281.7 billion yen, FY2024 297.7 billion yen.Graph of annual budget from FY2020 to FY2024, FY2020 269.2 billion yen, FY2021 267.8 billion yen, FY2022 266.1 billion yen, FY2023 281.7 billion yen, FY2024 297.7 billion yen.

In recent years, the operating subsidy from the national government has remained at approximately 27 billion yen each year. The overall scale of JSPS projects, including the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research and other programs, is approximately 300 billion yen for FY2024.
※The figures are rounded to the nearest unit. Consequently, the gross total and the sum of the breakdown do not necessarily coincide.

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Supporting Research Funding

The Grants-in-Aid for Scientific
Research (KAKENHI)

The number of annual applications for KAKENHI is about 90,000, and the number of adoptions is about 30,000.The number of annual applications for KAKENHI is about 90,000, and the number of adoptions is about 30,000.

For the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) program, more than 8,000 researchers peer-review nearly 90,000 applications each year.

Supporting Research Funding

The Ratio of JSPS-supported
Researchers to the Japanese Nobel
Prize Winners in the Natural Sciences

21 of 2521 of 25

Of the 25 Japanese Nobel Prize winners in the natural sciences (physiology or medicine, physics, and chemistry), 21 winners are the researchers who have ever received support from the JSPS, including Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI).
Through the various continuous support from JSPS, including KAKENHI, many researchers have been honored with Nobel Prizes.

Encouraging International Exchange

JSPS Overseas Offices

10 overseas offices in 9 countries: Washington Office (USA), San Francisco Office (USA), Bonn Office (Germany), London Office (UK), Stockholm Office (Sweden), Strasbourg Office (France), Bangkok Office (Thailand), Beijing Office (China), Cairo Research Station (Egypt), Nairobi Research Station (Kenya), Tokyo Headquarters (Japan)10 overseas offices in 9 countries: Washington Office (USA), San Francisco Office (USA), Bonn Office (Germany), London Office (UK), Stockholm Office (Sweden), Strasbourg Office (France), Bangkok Office (Thailand), Beijing Office (China), Cairo Research Station (Egypt), Nairobi Research Station (Kenya), Tokyo Headquarters (Japan)

Main functions
・Collaborating with overseas science-promotion institutions, including those with which JSPS has signed cooperation agreements
・Organizing symposiums, colloquiums, and other events in collaboration with overseas scientific institutions
・Cooperating with Japanese universities and supporting their overseas activities
・Building and supporting networks connecting JSPS program alumni, including past fellowship recipients
・Disseminating scientific information from Japan and collecting information on overseas scientific trends, university reforms, and other science-related matters

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Encouraging International Exchange

Number of Researchers Sent Abroad

A total of 2,911 researchers were sent abroad in FY2022. The breakdown is: 1,198 to Europe, 126 to Africa, 64 to the Middle East, 723 to Asia, 74 to Oceania, 689 to North America, and 37 to South America.A total of 2,911 researchers were sent abroad in FY2022. The breakdown is: 1,198 to Europe, 126 to Africa, 64 to the Middle East, 723 to Asia, 74 to Oceania, 689 to North America, and 37 to South America.

JSPS programs have sent 2,911 researchers to 81 countries /regions around the world.
(FY2022 results)

Encouraging International Exchange

Number of Researchers Invited from Abroad

A total of 2,802 researchers were invited to Japan in FY2022. The breakdown is: 1059 from Europe, 1121 from Africa, 51 from the Middle East, 1,198 from Asia, 75 from Oceania, 274 from North America, and 33 from South America.A total of 2,802 researchers were invited to Japan in FY2022. The breakdown is: 1059 from Europe, 1121 from Africa, 51 from the Middle East, 1,198 from Asia, 75 from Oceania, 274 from North America, and 33 from South America.

JSPS programs have invited 2,802 researchers from 93 countries/regions around the world.
(FY2022 results)

Encouraging International Exchange

Number of International Joint Research Programs

A total of 8,453 programs received support in FY2022. The breakdown is: 4,215 with Europe, 273 with Africa, 211 with the Middle East, 2,936 with Asia, 520 with Oceania, 2,867 with North America, and 237 with South America.A total of 8,453 programs received support in FY2022. The breakdown is: 4,215 with Europe, 273 with Africa, 211 with the Middle East, 2,936 with Asia, 520 with Oceania, 2,867 with North America, and 237 with South America.

JSPS programs have supported 8,453 international joint research programs with 141 countries /regions around the world. (FY2022 results)
(Note: The total does not equal the sum of the programs in the circles, because there are some joint research programs conducted with multiple countries.)

Encouraging International Exchange

Researcher Community
(Alumni Community)

The total number of members is over than 7,000. The JSPS Alumni communities are located in Germany (established in 1995), France (established in 2003), the United Kingdom and Ireland (established in 2004), the United States and Canada (established in 2004), Sweden (established in 2005), India (established in 2006), Egypt (established in 2008), Eastern Africa (established in 2009), Korea (established in 2008), Bangladesh (established in 2009), Finland (established in 2009), Thailand (established in 2010), China (established in 2010), Philippines (established in 2013), Nepal (established in 2015), Denmark (established in 2015), Indonesia (established in 2016), Australia (established in 2017), Norway (established in 2019), Malaysia (established in 2019)The total number of members is over than 7,000. The JSPS Alumni communities are located in Germany (established in 1995), France (established in 2003), the United Kingdom and Ireland (established in 2004), the United States and Canada (established in 2004), Sweden (established in 2005), India (established in 2006), Egypt (established in 2008), Eastern Africa (established in 2009), Korea (established in 2008), Bangladesh (established in 2009), Finland (established in 2009), Thailand (established in 2010), China (established in 2010), Philippines (established in 2013), Nepal (established in 2015), Denmark (established in 2015), Indonesia (established in 2016), Australia (established in 2017), Norway (established in 2019), Malaysia (established in 2019)

There are 20 alumni communities around the world composed of researchers and related individuals who have been supported by JSPS programs. The alumni communities aim to form, maintain, and strengthen networks of researchers in Japan and other parts of the world.

Related Information

Fostering Researchers

Number of Research Fellowships for
Young Scientists

5,4105,410

Doctoral students and outstanding young researchers with doctoral degrees are offered “Research Fellowships”, which allow them to devote themselves to their research at research institutions.

As of FY2024

Fostering Researchers

Proportion of the JSPS
Research Fellows for Full-time Research
Career Positions

Over 80%Over 80%

Over 80% of the JSPS Research Fellowships recipients are in full-time research positions within 10 years after finishing their fellowships.

As of April 1, 2023

Enhancing University Education and Research

Research Centers established by World Premier
International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

A total of 18 WPI centers have been established in Japan. Tohoku University AIMR, The University of Tokyo Kavli IPMU, Kyoto University iCeMS, Osaka University IFReC, National Institute for Materials Science MANA, Kyushu University I2CNER, University of Tsukuba IIIS, Tokyo Institute of Technology ELSI, Nagoya University ITbM, The University of Tokyo IRCN, Kanazawa University NanoLSI, Hokkaido University ICReDD, Kyoto University ASHBi, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization QUP, Osaka University PRIMe, Hiroshima University SKCM2, Keio University Bio2Q, Tohoku University and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology AIMECA total of 18 WPI centers have been established in Japan. Tohoku University AIMR, The University of Tokyo Kavli IPMU, Kyoto University iCeMS, Osaka University IFReC, National Institute for Materials Science MANA, Kyushu University I2CNER, University of Tsukuba IIIS, Tokyo Institute of Technology ELSI, Nagoya University ITbM, The University of Tokyo IRCN, Kanazawa University NanoLSI, Hokkaido University ICReDD, Kyoto University ASHBi, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization QUP, Osaka University PRIMe, Hiroshima University SKCM2, Keio University Bio2Q, Tohoku University and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology AIMEC

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) established the WPI in FY2007. It commissioned JSPS to conduct the program’s grant selection and project assessments processes and to perform support functions aimed at maximizing the WPI Program’s achievements.
Starting from 2007, 18 WPI centers, hosted by universities and research institutions, have been established. They attract outstanding research talent from around the world and carry out research projects that produce excellent, milestone results.
All WPI centers have achieved its goal of 30% foreign researchers (in the supported period). In FY2022 the percentage of foreign researchers at the 14 WPI centers was 38.5%; that is, 669 foreign researchers out of a total 1,739 researchers.

As of April 1, 2024