DAAD-JSPS Fellowships 2026, Japan (Short-Term Research Fellowship for International Scholars)

The JSPS Fellowships 2026 (Short-Term) is a prestigious international research program offered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service. This fully funded fellowship enables researchers based in Germany to conduct short-term research in Japan at leading universities and research institutes.

This program is ideal for doctoral candidates and early-career postdoctoral researchers seeking international collaboration, advanced research exposure, and access to Japanese laboratories.

The JSPS Short-Term Fellowship 2026 offers a competitive funding package:

Monthly Stipend

• Doctoral Students: حوالي 200,000 yen per month
• Postdoctoral Researchers: حوالي 362,000 yen per month

Additional Benefits

• Round-trip airfare
• Travel health insurance
• Settling-in allowance (~200,000 yen for stays of 3+ months)
• Access to advanced Japanese research facilities

• Postdoctoral Fellowship (Short-Term)
• Doctoral Research Fellowship
• Non-degree research program

The JSPS Fellowship is open to a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Natural Sciences
• Engineering and Technology
• Life Sciences and Medicine
• Environmental Studies
• Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
• Materials Science
• Seismology
• Social Sciences (limited fields)

Fellowship Duration

• Doctoral Candidates: 1 to 12 months
• Postdoctoral Researchers: 1 to 6 months
  

Open to international students from Germany.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a German citizen or permanent resident of Germany
• Be affiliated with a German university or research institution
• Have a confirmed Japanese host institution
• Submit a detailed research proposal

For Doctoral Candidates:

• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD program
• Expected to complete PhD within 2 years

For Postdoctoral Researchers:

• Must have obtained a PhD within the last 6 years

Restrictions:

• Japanese nationals (including dual citizens) are not eligible
• Applicants who previously received a standard JSPS fellowship are not eligible

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence
• Research proposal originality and feasibility
• Relevance of collaboration with Japanese host institution
• Alignment with applicant’s academic or career trajectory
  

Applications are submitted through DAAD, which nominates candidates to JSPS.

Required Documents:

• Research proposal
• Academic CV
• Host acceptance letter from Japan
• Academic transcripts and certificates

Steps:

1. Secure a Japanese host institution
2. Prepare application documents
3. Submit application to DAAD
4. Await nomination and final selection by JSPS

Application Deadlines

Deadlines depend on the intended start period:

• Start (July – September 2026): Apply by 31 October 2025
• Start (October – December 2026): Apply by 31 January 2026
• Start (January – March 2027): Apply by 30 April 2026

Why Choose the JSPS Fellowship in Japan?

The JSPS Short-Term Fellowship stands out because of its:

• Flexible duration (1–12 months)
• High monthly stipend compared to similar programs
• Strong academic collaboration between Germany and Japan
• Access to cutting-edge research infrastructure

This fellowship is especially valuable for researchers who want to:

• Work with leading Japanese scientists
• Access unique datasets, labs, or technologies
• Build international research networks