The Japan Student Services Organization (“JASSO”) provides the Follow-up Research Fellowship for Former International Students in Japan to researchers who have previously come to study in Japan from a developing country, region, etc., and are currently active in education, research, or government in their home country, region, etc. (“former international students”). The fellowship extends to those researchers an opportunity to conduct short-term research with academic advisors at universities (except junior colleges) in Japan, and is intended to assist the development of education, research, and public administration in developing countries, regions, etc., and to advance the academic/scientific research and international exchange for Japanese universities.

Former international students who wish short-term research in this fellowship program must satisfy all the following conditions (1)-(10).

(1) To have nationality of a country/region listed in the attachment.

(2) To belong to a university or other educational or governmental institute in the relevant country or region, and be currently working in education, research, or government in their home country. (Employees of private businesses are not eligible.)

(3) Previous resident status in Japan was a “College Student.”

(4) To have completed master/doctoral course in a Japanese university or obtained all the necessary credits before graduation (coursework doctor).

(5) Age is 45 or younger as of April 1, 2012 (i.e., born on April 2, 1966 or after).

(6) At least 1 year has passed since they returned home after studying in Japan as of April 1, 2012 (i.e., returned home on March 31, 2011 or before).

Note: If the candidate has stayed for more than 90 consecutive days in other countries/regions after returning to his/her home country, the length of that stay must be excluded from the total length of period after returning home.

(7) There is a research advisor for the follow-up research fellowship program at the host Japanese university. Such a research advisor conducted research activity of a former international student during his/her study in Japan and also is currently a full-time worker in a Japanese university (except Japanese junior college).

1) If the teacher has transferred, the individual can be accepted at the new location.

2) If the teacher has transferred or resigned, the individual can be accepted by a teacher that was involved in instruction at the time or a teacher who has taken over supervision of that laboratory.

(8) To have been accepted by the president of the host university as foreign researcher in accordance with the aims of this fellowship program.

(9) To be certainly able to obtain a visa to enter Japan if it is required.

Note: If the acquisition of the visa is not certain as of November 1, the acceptance of the application may be voided.

(10) To have never been a recipient of this fellowship in the past.

The length of stay for this fellowship applicable to former international student (“recipient”) is 60-90 consecutive days between May 15, 2012 and March 31, 2013.

1) The period must be at least 60 days, excluding any days during which the recipient must unavoidably return home.

2) The number of days may not be increased from the period of stay indicated on the application.

Fellowships will be awarded to approximately 54 recipients.

 (The number of fellowships to be awarded will be determined in accordance with the budget for Fiscal 2012.)

JJASSO will bear the following expenses: (1) Round-trip airfare and (2) Daily allowance for the recipient and (3) Remuneration for cooperation for the research advisor.

(1) Round-trip Airfare

JASSO provides an economy-class round-trip air ticket to the recipient for the most economical route between the international airport nearest to the recipient's university in his/her home country/region and the airport nearest to the Japanese host university.

Note: The airline company and travel route shall be selected from among those specified by a travel agency contracted by JASSO.

(2) Daily allowance

JASSO provides living allowance of ¥11,000 to the recipient for each day of the recipient's stay.

(3) Remuneration for cooperation

JASSO will provide the fixed 50,000 yen to research advisor as remuneration for cooperation in receiving the recipient.

[Notes regarding financial support]

1) When travel expenses are not provided.

Travel expenses will be withheld if any of the following conditions apply to the recipient.

The recipient receives financial support from a public institute other than JASSO (applicable to round-trip airfare).

When the recipient goes home to his/her country/region during the follow-up research fellowship program (applicable to round-trip airfare).

If the recipient does not go home to his/her country/region immediately after the completion of the follow-up research fellowship program (applicable to airfare for returning home).

Acceptance to this program has been revoked.

2) When daily allowance is not provided.

All or part of the daily allowance will be withheld if any one of the following conditions apply to the recipient.

The recipient receives financial support from a public institute other than JASSO.

The duration of the follow-up research fellowship program is changed due to illness or other personal reasons.

When the above conditions apply, the director of the program is to demand the return of the daily allowance for the duration of the applicable time if it has already been paid to the recipient.

Acceptance to this program has been revoked.

When the above conditions apply, the president of JASSO is to demand the return of the daily allowance for the duration of the applicable time if it has already been paid to the recipient.

3) Other

(1) Be aware that an airline cancellation fee may be charged if the application is withdrawn immediately before the departure date.

(2) Be aware that the amount paid for the return airfare may need to be returned if the departure or return airline ticket is changed without first applying for such a change with JASSO.

(3) Be aware that an acceptance period of under 60 days disqualifies the recipient and the amount paid for the recipient’s daily allowance and return airfare may need to be returned.

The president of the Japanese university who wishes to accept a recipient in Japan through this fellowship program recommends him/her to the president of JASSO with the following documents (1)–(3).

(1) Answer Sheet for Follow-up Research Fellowship for Fiscal 2012 (Excel:22KB) / （PDF:71KB)

(2) Application Form for Follow-up Research Fellowship for Former International Students for Fiscal 2012 (Form 2-1/2-2)

(3) Recommendation Form for Follow-up Research Fellowship for Former International Students for Fiscal 2012 (Form 3)

Form 2-1/2-2/ and Form 3 are in the same file. Download here. (Excel: 207KB） / （PDF: 182KB）

If a university recommends more than one candidate, the university has to rank each candidate by level of recommendation.

[Notes regarding application]

* The same former international student cannot file two or more applications at a different host university.

* Applications shall not be accepted from individuals who do not meet the requirements stipulated in Section 2. "Qualifications."

* Be aware that the airport listed on the application form cannot be changed at a later date.

Applications must be received by Friday, February 10, 2012.

Note: The deadline is just for JASSO. The deadline at your host university might be different. Please confirm the deadline for your host university.

(1) Selection

Selection is made by JASSO’s international student selection committee under the following policy. There may be cases in which the selections do not comply with the recommendation rankings assigned by the university.

[Examination policy]

1) The application is to contribute to the progress of education, academic research, and administration of developing nations, regions, etc., and academic research and international exchange at universities in Japan.

2) The invitation extended to the recipient can be expected to further advance research activities.

3) Advance negotiations between the recipient and the research advisor are clear and activity plans are detailed.

4) The recipient is to visit not only the host university, but many others to widely engage in discussion with local researchers, exchange opinions, and attend lectures. The application must be designed to address educational matters such as the promotion of exchange with young researchers.

5) There should be diversity in the nationality of the recipient, host university, and areas of expertise.

6) Concerning privately financed international students, priority shall be given to prior recipients of an Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students.

Note: The Honors Scholarship for Privately Financed International Students is a scholarship program implemented by JASSO for international students in Japan.

(2) Notification

The president of the host university will be notified of the result of selection in writing by JASSO.

Notification schedule: Early April, 2012 (planned)

The recipient will be notified of the result by the host university. No individual inquiries about the selection result will be accepted.

[Note regarding selection]

(1) When falsehoods have been included in the application

(2) When the period of stay is shortened to less than 60 days

(3) Be aware that an airline cancellation fee may be charged if the application is withdrawn immediately before the departure date.

(1) The research advisor, with help from the host university’s administration director, makes necessary preparations for the recipient for the follow-up research fellowship activities. If necessary, the research advisor advises the recipient on his/her entry into Japan, finding lodgings, and other activities in Japan.

(2) After the completion of the follow-up research fellowship, the recipient and the research advisor each submit a research report and a project survey using the required form before leaving the country.

(3) When giving a lecture in this program, the recipient needs to mention that it is being given as part of the JASSO operations.

(4) During the follow-up research fellowship program, the recipient devotes himself/herself to the research work and not engage in other activities regardless of remuneration.

Individual information contained in the application form will be kept confidential in accordance with the law on the protection of individual information possessed by independent administrative corporations and others and JASSO’s rules on the protection of individual information. It will be used for the execution of this work (including the supply of individual information so that an external private firm can electronically process and control data). When the application is selected, the names of the recipient, research topic, and host university that engages in the follow-up research fellowship program shall be disclosed. The name, job, and report of the research advisor shall also be released.

Follow-up Services Unit
Exchange Follow-up and Housing Division, Student Exchange Department
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
2-2-1 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8630 JAPAN
TEL +81-3-5520-6033
FAX +81-3-5520-6034
E-mail: ef3@jasso.go.jp

* See the following website for details and application forms.

  (http://www.jasso.go.jp/exchange/sgtj_rf.html)

• Form1: Answer Sheet for Follow-up Research Fellowship for Fiscal 2012 (to be made by Japanese host university)

       (Excel:22KB) / （PDF:71KB)

• Form2-1 / 2-2 : Application Form for Follow-up Research Fellowship for Former International Students (to be made by former international student)
• Form3: Recommendation Form for Follow-up Research Fellowship for Former International Students (to be made by research advisor)
• Form2-1 / 2-2 and Form 3 are in the same file. Download here. (Excel: 207KB）  / （PDF: 182KB）
  
• List of eligible countries / regions (PDF:75KB)
  Note: Form2-1 / 2-2 and Form 3 must be submitted in excel data.

Note: Personal information in the application form is used for the purpose of this program and follow-up services for former international students, and is not used for other purposes.

How to read PDF files

Please download plug-in for Adobe Reader (free of charge) from the following web site:

Download Adobe Reader>>

*If you are unable to encode the fonts on this PDF format, please download Japanese fonts from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrasianfontpack.html and reload the file.

Eligibility and Conditions
Q: Are honorary professors eligible to apply to be research advisor?
A: Only individuals that are recognized by a university as full-time faculty members are eligible to become research advisor.

Q: Qualifications (1) states that individuals must “be currently working in education, research, or government in their home country. (Employees of private businesses are not eligible.)” Does this include individuals in part-time positions?
A: Individuals in either full-time or part-time positions are eligible.

Q: I work at a private research institute; can I apply for the program?
A: A condition of the program is current employment in education, academic research or government in your home country. Applications will not be accepted from those employed in the private sector.
Refer to section 2. Qualifications (2)

Q: Do I need to have completed the thesis or full coursework component of a doctor’s degree to apply?
A: You may apply if you have completed the thesis or full coursework component of a master’s or doctor’s degree from a graduate school in Japan.
Refer to section 2. Qualifications (4)

Q: I studied in Japan for two years as a research student, but did not attain any credits. Can I still apply?
A: No. A master’s or doctor’s degree from a Japanese graduate school is a pre-requisite of the program.
Refer to section 2. Qualifications (4)

Q: I completed my doctor’s degree in March, 2008 in Japan. Since then I visited Japan again for short term study, returning to my country in August, 2011. In the guidelines, it says at least one year must have passed. From when is this one year counted?

A: At least 1 year must have passed since the you returned home. In this case, since returning home in August, 2011 one year has not passed meaning application conditions have not been met.
Refer to section 2. Qualifications (6)

Research advisor
Q: How do I find a research advisor?
A: The teacher from your previous studies in Japan or any teacher who has taken over supervision of that laboratory may become a research advisor. Applicants are required to contact teacher themselves and seek approval for nomination as a research advisor.

Q: Is it possible to apply even if the teacher from my previous studies in Japan is no longer working?
A: You may apply for the program if a teacher involved with your tutelage during your previous studies in Japan or any teacher who has taken over supervision of that laboratory can accept your nomination as a research advisor.
Refer to section 2. Qualifications (7)

Q: Can I nominate someone as a research advisor from whom I did not receive tutelage during my previous studies in Japan?
A: The research advisor must be a teacher who was involved with your tutelage during your previous studies in Japan or has taken over supervision of that laboratory.
Refer to section 2. Qualifications (7)

Q: Can I nominate a university other than the one at which I previously studied?
A: As the research advisor must be the teacher from your previous studies in Japan, you cannot nominate a different university. However, where the teacher has transferred to a different university, you may nominate that university.
Refer to section 2. Qualifications (7)

Period of Fellowship

Q: The period of stay is indicated as 90 days. When does this begin and end?
A: The period indicates the 90 days from the date of arrival in Japan to the date of departure from Japan.

Application form

Q: In form 2-2 it says the Outline of Research and Schedule is required to be written in 800 characters or less. For English, shouldn’t this be 800 words?
A: No, in English it is also required to be completed in 800 characters or less.

Application
Q: What should I do with the completed application form?
A: The completed application form should be sent to your host university, which will then send it to JASSO. Applications sent directly to JASSO cannot be accepted.

Q: The instructions say to use file security. What does this entail?
A: See “Submitting Excel Data.” The method for making settings differs according to the software version that is used. Refer to the manual provided with the software.