Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Invitation Fellowship

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) offers the JSPS Invitation Fellowship for Research in Japan (Long Term) to promote international scientific cooperation and exchange. The Fellowship allows researchers employed at designated Japanese research institutions and universities to invite fellow researchers from Australia to Japan to conduct cooperative research work with scientists at Japanese research institutions and laboratories. These visits presuppose the existence of contacts between scientists in Japan and Australia, a condition considered favourable to the promotion of future scientific cooperation and exchange.

Fields of research:

Applications are invited from suitably qualified researchers in any field of natural sciences, including technology, engineering and medicine.

Host researchers and host institutions in Japan:

To be eligible, host researchers in Japan must be employed full time at an institution of the types listed in Table 1. Fellows must conduct their research at the host's affiliated institution.  An official letter of invitation (original) from the host researcher should be included with the application form.

Table 1- Host institutions

Eligibility:

1. Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents living in Australia at time of application. (If you were not born in Australia, please provide proof of Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency). .
   
• Note: Persons of Japanese nationality are not eligible to apply, nor those of dual nationality if one is Japanese.
• Note: Researchers who have already visited Japan under the JSPS Invitation Fellowship Programs (Long-term) may not reapply for the same fellowship until three years have elapsed. Therefore, researchers who were awarded an invitation fellowship in FY 2010, 2011 or 2012 are not eligible to apply for the same fellowship in FY2013 (i.e. this current round).
2. Have a research background equivalent to that of a professor, assistant professor or research associate in a Japanese university. Other researchers may be eligible if they have held a doctorate degree for a period of more than six years prior to 2 April 2013.

Duration and commencement of fellowships:

1. Fellowships are awarded for a period of 2 months (61 days) to 10 months.
2. Successful candidates must start the Fellowship in Japan between: 1 August 2013 – 31 March 2014

Terms of award (Fellows only):

The amounts of the Awards indicated below are subject to change.

1. A round-trip air ticket (based on JSPS regulations)
2. A monthly maintenance allowance of ¥369,000
3. Domestic research travel allowance of ¥100,000
4. Research expenses of ¥40,000
5. Overseas travel accident and sickness insurance coverage

Note:

• The amounts of the Awards indicated above are subject to change.
• If the Fellow resides in Japan on the date his/her award letter is issued, the air ticket to Japan and settling-in allowance will not be provided.
• Host's cooperation allowance of ¥50,000 is paid to hosts.

Reporting obligation:

1. Fellows are expected to devote themselves full time to their research during the term of the Fellowship, and may not accept employment in Japan with or with remuneration.
2. The fellowship awardees and their host researchers must submit a research report within one month of the competition of the fellowship tenure to JSPS and a copy to the Australian Academy of Science.

Note

• The names of the awardees and their host researchers as well as their research themes and reports are subject to public disclosure.
• The awardees will also be asked to participate in surveys aimed at improving the fellowship program.

NUMBER OF FELLOWSHIPS AWARDED

JSPS has advised that Australia has a quota of one (1) Fellowship for FY 2013-2014.
The Academy will assess and rank applications but the final selection of successful applicants will be made by JSPS.
The Academy cannot guarantee that the current quota will be maintained by JSPS. Please note this program is fully funded by JSPS.

Materials to be submitted in the following order

1. An original hand-signed and dated application form (Format 2 – Invitation) – single sided. No digital signatures please.
2. A certified copy of document detailing Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency status (for applicants not born in Australia) e.g. Certificate of Citizenship, passport or visa.
3. An original hand-signed letter of acceptance/invitation from the candidate’s prospective host researcher in Japan, stating that he/she accepts the candidate at his/her institution. No digital signatures please.
4. An original hand-signed Referee Report (see Notes for Referee and Referee Report Form) – single sided. No digital signatures please.
Referees should not be from the applicant’s department or division, or from the host institution.  Only one written reference is required.  Please provide the name, address and contact details of one referee (Australian or overseas) who will provide the Academy with a written report.
Please provide the names, addresses and contact details of two additional referees (Australian) who may be contacted by the selection committee if further information is required.

5. Supplementary documents (if necessary).

Note:

• All documents except those confirming Australian citizenship or Australian permanent residency status must be the original.
• All documents must be in English. 

More Information : HERE