Under JSPS’s RONPAKU Program, a two-step procedure is used for selecting RONPAKU Fellows. Applications are first screened through a document review. Taking into account these results, a category-based panel review is held on the applications.

1. Based on their record of scientific results(e.g.,publication of international journals, record of awards), applicants must be seen as “mature” researchers.
2. The applicant’s research proposal should be suited to pursuing a PhD degree through submission of a dissertation without matriculating a doctoral course. The feasibility should be very high that the applicant will obtain a PhD degree within a maximum of 3 years.
3. The advisor in Japan must be suitable for supervising the Fellow’s research; sufficient advance communication must have been carried out between the advisor and the applicant; the research supervision plan must be well-prepared and specific.
4. The host institution must have adequately prepared a system for receiving the candidate.
5. Not only the score of the document review but also the examiners’ reasons and comments are to be given adequate consideration.
6.  Two judgements are made: (1) Selected and (2) Not selected

In the first step of RONPAKU screening, JSPS has each application screened by three referees, chosen according to the applicant’s research area.

The first-step screening criteria are as follows: (1) Research ability, (2) Research plan, and (3) Japanese advisor’s suitability for supervising the RONAPKU Fellow.

Each referee scores applications by grades 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1.
  5: Highest possibility that applicant can obtain PhD degree within the allotted tenure
  4: High possibility that applicant can obtain PhD degree within the allotted tenure
  3: Possibility that applicant can obtain PhD degree
  2: Little possibility that applicant can obtain PhD degree
  1: No possibility that the applicant can obtain PhD degree

As the second step, JSPS holds panel reviews on the applications.

Notification of the selection results will be made in writing through the head of the applying institution to RONPAKU candidates. JSPS does not notify RONPAKU candidates of selection results directly.

Please see below for an overview of the program.