Q1-1 |
Why am I only eligible for a PD fellowship within a certain number of years after obtaining my PhD? |
A1-1 |
The purpose of this fellowship program is to support young researchers at an initial stage of their careers. This program focuses on supporting young researchers just after they obtain their doctorates. Accordingly, we set a time limit on the eligible period after obtaining a PhD.
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Q1-2 |
I was selected as a JSPS Research Fellow in the past. Can I apply for this fellowship again? |
A1-2 |
It depends on the fellowship category that you will apply for. A former DC fellow can apply for a PD fellowship, but cannot apply for a DC fellowship again. In the same manner, a former PD fellow cannot apply for a PD fellowship again.
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Q1-3 |
I was selected as a DC fellow after which my fellowship category changed from DC to PD as I have obtained a PhD. May I apply for a PD fellowship in this case? |
A1-3 |
Yes, however, applicants need to meet both the nationality and selecting host institution’s requirements for the PD fellowship.
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Q1-4 |
Upon earning my doctoral degree and changing my fellowship category from DC to PD, I changed my host research institution from the doctorate granting institution. Will I need to change my host research institution again to apply for PD Fellowship? |
A1-4 |
You do not need to change your current host research institution again as you are selecting a research institution other than the doctorate granting institution as your host research institution after being awarded PD Fellowship. However, your academic advisor of record at your research institute during graduate studies cannot be your host researcher after you have been awarded PD Fellowship. |
Q1-5 |
I do not currently belong to any research institution. May I apply for the Fellowship? |
A1-5 |
Yes. For both the PD and DC fellowships, applicants are not required to be affiliated with an institution at the time of application. The only thing needed is to meet the eligibility requirements stipulated in the fellowship application guidelines on April 1 of the first fiscal year of the fellowship.
The institution to which applicants apply varies by their current status:
- PD and DC2:
Host institution (the institution to which your prospective host researcher belongs)
- DC1:
- Master’s students in Japan
The university in which you are enrolled in at the time of application
- Master’s graduates in Japan
The university from which you graduated
- Master’s students/graduates of a university outside Japan
Host research institution (the university in which you will be enrolled)
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Q1-6 |
I’ve been employed by a company since graduating from a master’s course and am not currently affiliated with any university. May I apply for a DC1 fellowship? |
A1-6 |
Yes. Applicants are not required to be enrolled in a university at the time of application. The only thing needed is to meet the eligibility requirements stipulated in our application guidelines on April 1 of the first fiscal year of the fellowship.
Your application should be submitted by the university from which you graduated.
When filling in your [current academic supervisor (現在の研究指導者)] in the application form, please follow the below instructions, which are based on your current status.
1) If you are currently working in a research-related job……
→Fill in the name of your workplace supervisor.
2) If you are NOT working in a research-related job……
→Fill in the name of your latest academic supervisor.
The evaluation statement for your DC application must be written by the above-named person.
You will need to resign your current job before your fellowship starts as JSPS Research Fellows are not allowed to hold other positions during their tenure. However, you do not need to resign you job at the time of application.
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Q1-7 |
I did not enter the doctoral course in April (for example: entered in October). Can I apply for either the DC1 or DC2 fellowship? If I can, which category should I apply for? |
A1-7 |
Yes, but only if you meet the DC eligibility requirements. Eligibility for both DC1 and DC2 is based on the aggregate period of your enrollment in the doctoral course on April 1 of the first fiscal year of the fellowship.
Leave periods are not counted as enrollment in DC eligibility. As an exception, leaves of less than six months are counted.
●DC eligibility chart based on months of enrollment
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3-year doctoral course |
4-year doctoral course |
5-year doctoral course |
DC1 |
Less than 12 |
From 12 to less than 24 |
From 24 to less than 36 |
DC2 |
From 12 to less than 36 |
From 24 to less than 48 |
From 36 to less than 60 |
●Example A student who was admitted into a 3-year doctoral course in October of the previous year (with no leave) may apply for DC1, as his/her total enrollment period will be six months as of April 1 of the first fiscal year of the fellowship.
As the treatment of students’ grade levels may differ by university, we adopt an aggregate enrollment period for DC eligibility, not based on the student’s grade level.
Please inquire at the academic affairs section of your university if you have questions about the period of your enrollment. The way of calculating periods of enrollment and/or leave may differ by university.
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Q1-8 |
I am neither a citizen nor permanent resident of Japan, can I apply for this fellowship? |
A1-8 |
Yes, you can for a DC fellowship, but not for a PD and RPD fellowship. There is no nationality requirement for DC applicants. PD applicants must be either a citizen or permanent resident of Japan at the time of application. Non-Japanese PhD holders may apply for JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan. See the following URL for details.
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-fellow/index.html
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Q1-9 |
Does JSPS introduce applicants to host institutions? |
A1-9 |
We are sorry but JSPS is not in a position to introduce prospective host institutions to applicants. They must find their own host research institution and host researcher by themselves before applying. It is highly recommended to establish close contact with a prospective host researcher and institution in advance.
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Q1-10 |
May I apply for more than one fellowship category (PD, RPD, Overseas Research Fellowships) at the same time? |
A1-10 |
Yes, however, you cannot be selected as a fellow in multiple fellowship categories. If you receive more than one preliminary selection notice, you will have to choose one of the fellowships and decline the others.
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