The application period for the 2009 fellowship programms has closed. Application forms and full details for next year's fellowship programmes will be available in January 2010.

1. Introduction
2. Fields of Research
3. Eligibility
4. Duration
5. Terms of Award
6. Eligible Host Institutions in Japan
7. Nomination of Candidates
8. Starting Date and Application Deadline  
9. To Apply

1. Introduction

The JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme was launched in 2002 and is jointly organised by UNU and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

It is designed to provide promising, highly qualified, young researchers the opportunity to conduct advanced research relevant to the main thematic focus of UNU-IAS (Institute of Advanced Studies), located in Yokohama, or UNU-ISP (Institute for Sustainability and Peace), located in Tokyo, and in co-operation with their host researchers at Japanese universities and research institutions. This fellowship is aimed at candidates who have completed their PhD in the past six years and also have professional and/or research experience.

UNU acts as the nominating authority for the JSPS-UNU Programme, and UNU-IAS administers the programme on behalf of UNU in the nominating process. Candidates apply to UNU-IAS. In addition to the prescribed application form, an essential part of the application is a detailed research proposal outlining the intended work in Japan.

Applicants also need to indicate a prospective host researcher at the time of submitting the application. (It is not necessary to obtain confirmation of acceptance from the prospective host researcher at this stage.) UNU will assist in securing acceptance from the host researchers for short-listed candidates. After the host researcher is secured for each short-listed candidate, UNU will make formal nominations to JSPS, which funds this programme. The final award decision will be made by JSPS and Awards Letters will be issued by JSPS to the fellowship awardees. An advisor for each fellowship awardee will be selected for the period of research in Japan from among the UNU (UNU-IAS or UNU-ISP) faculty members. 

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2. Fields of Research

UNU conducts research on all fields of the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Yet, research proposals for JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowships should relate clearly to one of the current research areas of UNU-IAS and UNU-ISP as well as aim to be policy relevant.

The following Research Programmes and Projects at UNU-IAS in Yokohama are accepting applications for JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellows:

1. Science and Technology for Sustainable Societies
2. Sustainable Urban Futures
3. Biodiplomacy Initiative
4. Sustainable Development Governance

The following Research Programmes at UNU-ISP in Tokyo are accepting applications for JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellows:

    5.   International Development and Co-operation
    6.   Global Change and Sustainability
    7.   Peace and Security

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3. Eligibility

Citizens of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. (JSPS treats Taiwanese and Palestinian researchers in this manner.) Japanese nationals that do not have citizenship or permanent residency of other countries are not eligible.

Holders of a doctoral degree when the Fellowship goes into effect, which must have been received on or after 2 April 2004 for the 2010 Fellowship or be scheduled to receive a doctorate degree before the Fellowship goes into effect.

Applicants with at least 10 months research and/or professional experience are especially encouraged to apply.

Those who have previously been awarded a fellowship under the “JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship program for Foreign Researchers" are not eligible. 

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4. Duration of the Fellowship

Fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 to 24 months.

5. Terms of Award

1. A round-trip air ticket (based on JSPS regulations)
2. A monthly maintenance allowance of 364,000 yen
3. A settling-in allowance of 200,000 yen, Overseas travel accident and sickness insurance coverage, etc. 

Note:

• The terms of the Awards indicated above are subject to change by JSPS.
• If the Fellow resides in Japan on the date his/her award letter is issued, the above-mentioned air ticket to Japan and settling-in allowance will not be provided.
• A research grant, “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research”, of up to JPY1,500,000 per year (total of JPY3,000,000 for two years. The amount varies depending on the areas/disciplines of research.) is available to cover cooperative research-related expenses. Application for these grants is made by the host researcher through his/her institution.

This award is provided by JSPS, and follows JSPS program guidelines.

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6. Eligible Host Institutions in Japan

Eligible host institutions in Japan are universities, inter-university research institutions, and other research institutions designated by JSPS. Click here for a list of prospective host researchers attached to UNU-IAS and their areas of specialisation.

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7. Nomination of Candidates

1. UNU will act as a nominating authority of the Programme, and application should be submitted to UNU-IAS.

          UNU-IAS nominates candidates to the JSPS based on the following criteria: 
            (i) The research objectives of the applicant and the quality of the research 
                proposal;
            (ii) the relevance of the research proposal to the ongoing or planned research 
                activities of the applicant's indicated Research Programme at UNU-IAS or 
                UNU-ISP;
            (iii)the applicant's academic merit and the potential for successful research 
                while in Japan.

    2.     UNU will try to inform the successful candidates of the results of 
            the nomination by the end of May.

    3.     JSPS takes about 2 months after receiving the nominations to 
            process its award decision.

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8. Starting Date and Deadline for Applications

The JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme begins on 1 September and the selected fellows are required to be in Japan by this date. The deadline for application for the 2010 Fellowships will be announced in January 2010.

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9. To Apply

Interested and eligible candidates are invited to complete the application form. Application forms can be downloaded as Portable Document Format (.pdf) file, and completed electronically or printed and completed by hand. The preferred method of submission is electronically by email. In addition to the application form, the following documents in English* must be received on or before the application deadline.  Failure to include these documents will render your application invalid. Additional relevant material may also be included.

1. Application Letter that clearly outlines how candidate’s qualifications and research proposal meet the requirements and objectives of the fellowship.
2. Certified copies of academic transcripts (Master’s and Ph.D. courses if applicable) and a copy of the doctoral degree certificate. If the degree has not yet been awarded, a letter is required from the candidate’s institution stating the date that he/she will officially receive the degree.
3. Two supporting letters of reference (Both references should be sent directly to UNU-IAS by the referees. One should be from the candidate’s PhD dissertation advisor or other supervisory faculty member. Not from prospective Japanese host researcher).
4. Evidence of English language proficiency if Ph.D. dissertation was not submitted in English (e.g. TOEFL score, certificate of proficiency).

* All documents must be in English. When the document is in another language, please be sure to attach an English translation. Above documents can be scanned and sent by email together with the application form at the stage of your application. Short-listed candidates will be requested to submit the originals.

Above documents can be scanned and sent by email to fellowships@ias.unu.edu
at the stage of application. Short-listed candidates will be requested to submit the originals.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted for a telephone interview. 

JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme
United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies
6F, International Organizations Center
Pacifico-Yokohama
1-1-1 Minato Mirai
Nishi-ku, Yokohama 220-8502
Japan

Email: fellowships@ias.unu.edu
Fax: +81-45-221-2303

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