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Fellowships
The International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken) makes use of several programs offered by Japanese and international organizations, such as the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science or the Japan Foundation, that support research by providing foreign scholars with opportunities to conduct research at academic institutions in Japan. This Center receives foreign scholars as Visiting Research Fellows in the following categories:
JF-Nichibunken Fellowship Program
* Application has been closed.
（The application guideline for 2026 will be available on this page after April 2025. Please wait for a while.）
1. Purpose
In order to promote Japanese Studies overseas, this program, jointly organized by the Japan Foundation (herein referred to as "JF") and the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, National Institutes for the Humanities (herein referred to as "Nichibunken"), provides post-doctoral researchers in the field of Japanese Studies with opportunities to conduct research in Japan while belonging to Nichibunken. The Fellows will also be expected to gain experience as project facilitators through operation and management work at various meetings or workshops, and to form and expand networks with people involved in international exchange.
2. Application Guidelines and Application Form
3. Expected Number of Fellows and Period of Stay in Japan
A few (about three) Fellows will be invited to stay continuously in Japan for from over 6 months to a maximum of 24 months. The proposed commencement date for a Fellowship must fall between September 1, 2025 and March 1, 2026.
4. Application Deadline
Sunday, December 1, 2024(JST)
5. Application Procedures
Download the application form data, fill out the downloaded form, and then submit the completed and signed form as email attachment to JF at the following address (any questions are appreciated by email as well).
JF-Nichibunken Fellowship Program
The Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Department
1-6-4 Yotsuya, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Email: r_info＊jpf.go.jp（Please replace＊with @.）
6. Terms and Conditions at Nichibunken
- a. Nichibunken's library, computers, and other facilities including office space to be shared with other researchers will be made available at Nichibunken.
- b. Fellows will be able to apply for accommodations at the Nichibunken House. (There are charges for the use of these facilities.) Please note that Nichibunken cannot guarantee to reserve a room.
- c. The host advisor/research associate will be designated by Nichibunken after the selection of the successful applicants, taking into consideration their field of expertise, research theme, and other factors.
- d. The Fellows' research activities in Japan will be conducted at Nichibunken and they are expected to devote their full time to their research in Japan.
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Contributions Expected of JF Fellows at Nichibunken 】
For inquiries regarding the terms and conditions at Nichibunken, please contact:
International Research Center for Japanese Studies
Research Cooperation Division, International Research Promotion Unit
3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 610-1192
Phone: +81(0)75-335-2041 Fax: +81(0)75-335-2092
Email: vrsinquiry＊nichibun.ac.jp（Please replace＊with @.）
JF Research Fellow
1.Purpose
Please refer to the Japan Foundation's website, where you can also download the application forms:
[ Japan Foundation ]
In Japanese 
In English
2.Terms and Conditions at Nichibunken
- The Center's library, computers, and other facilities including office space to be shared with other researchers will be made available at the Center.
- Housing accommodations will be available on the site of the Center. (There are charges for the use of these facilities.) Please note that we cannot guarantee to reserve a room.
3.Application Deadline and How to Apply
Applicants must submit the designated application documents to Japan Foundation before the deadline designated by JF.
*Please note that applicants must get informal consent from the counterpart (one of full-time faculty members of the Center).
4.For details, please contact
International Research Center for Japanese Studies
Research Coopeation Division
3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 610-1192
Phone: +81(0)75-335-2041 Fax: +81(0)75-335-2092
Email: vrsinquiry@nichibun.ac.jp
JSPS Fellowship Programs
1.Contents
Purpose, Targeted Academic Specializations, Criteria for Eligibility, and Duration of Research:
Please refer to the JSPS's website, where you can also download the
application forms:
[ Japan Society for the Promotion of Science ]
In Japanese
In
English
2.Terms and
Conditions at Nichibunken
- The Center's library, computers, and other facilities including office space to be shared with other researchers will be made available for the use of the JSPS Research Fellow, in the same way as for a staff researcher at the Center.
- Housing accommodations will be available on the site of the Center. (There are charges for the use of these facilities.)
3.Application
Procedure
Applicants must submit the designated application documents.
4.Application
Deadline for Nichibunken
The application varies according to the program, so please confirm by checking with Nichibunken directly before you apply. (The deadline is different from that of JSPS, so please pay attention. In general, the Nichibunken deadline is approximately two months prior to the JSPS deadline.)
5.Other
Information
Nichibunken will apply for assistance from JSPS after selecting several candidates from among all those who applied to Nichibunken
6.For details,
please contact
International Research Center for Japanese Studies
Research Coopearation Division
3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 610-1192
Phone: +81(0)75-335-2041 Fax: +81(0)75-335-2092
Email: vrsinquiry@nichibun.ac.jp
Visiting Research Fellows (fellow of other supporting organizations, or researcher supported by a foreign government)
1.Purpose
To provide opportunities for highly qualified foreign researchers to conduct research at Nichibunken, allowing them to advance their own research while participating in at least one of the Center's team research projects (one of full-time faculty members of the Center must be the counterpart of the applicant).
2.Targeted Field
Japanese Studies in the humanities and social sciences
3.Eligibility
Applicants should meet either one of the following criteria:
(1) Researchers of any nationality employed by a foreign university or a foreign research institution in possession of a doctoral degree.
(2) Those whom the Director-General deems to have qualifications or research ability equivalent to those in (1) above.
4.Research Period
In principle, up to, but no longer than, twelve months
5.Terms and Conditions at Nichibunken
- The Center's library, computers, and other facilities including office space to be shared with other researchers will be made available at the Center.
- Housing accommodations will be available on the site of the Center. (There are charges for the use of these facilities.) Please note that we cannot guarantee to reserve a room.
6.Application Deadline and How to Apply
By a date one month prior to the deadline for application to the organization that will provide financial assistance, the applicant for a Visiting Research Fellow appointment must apply to Nichibunken. Please send a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, the title of your proposed research, and a description of your research plan to the member of the Nichibunken faculty who will serve as your counterpart. The application will be submitted to the Director-General of this Center.
7.Other Information
Nichibunken will consider applications for Visiting Research Fellow case by case as it receives them.
8.For details, please contact
International Research Center for Japanese Studies
Research Cooperation Division
3-2 Goryo Oeyama-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 610-1192
Phone: +81(0)75-335-2041 Fax: +81(0)75-335-2092
Email: vrsinquiry@nichibun.ac.jp
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