Program Overview and Objectives

The Fellowship Program for Intellectual Exchange is designed to provide selected intellectuals in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa with an opportunity to visit Japan and conduct their own individual research on a chosen topic as well as networking/exchange activities from 30 days up to 60 days. The program thus seeks to assist in the development of a new generation of Eastern European, Middle Eastern and African intellectual leaders who are familiar with Japan through established individual and institutional networks and are able to incorporate topics/elements related to Japan to their own field of research in future.

 

Eligibility of Applicants

1. Scholars, researchers (except undergraduate and graduate students), journalists and professionals who are engaged in research activities in the fields of the humanities or the social sciences, or who have practical experience in research, media, or non-profit organizations. In this fellowship, the applicant’s specialization should not be Japanese studies, but he/she should aim to conduct research that is related to Japan.

2. Individuals with adequate English-language proficiency to take part in collaborative interaction and to conduct research in Japan (Japanese-language ability is not assessed.)

3. Applicants who are under 45 years old (as a general rule), and who are nationals or permanent residents with an active academic/professional affiliation in any of the following countries and areas:

 

[Eastern Europe]: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Republic of Kosovo, Kyrgyz, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

 

[Middle East]: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

 

[Africa]: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

 

4. Applicants who can find their own affiliated institutions and advisors in Japan.

5. Japanese-language students, students of industry training courses, or students of courses in traditional culture (e.g., flower arranging, karate) are not eligible. Also, training for governmental officials will be excluded.

 

Contents of Fellowship Award

1. Round-trip air ticket (discount economy-class).

2. Allowance to cover accommodation, meals, local transportation, research expenses and other incidentals.

3. Travel Insurance

 

Application Procedure

An application package must be sent through the Japanese Diplomatic Office in your country (*For applicants in Russia, Hungary and Egypt, the Japan Foundation Office instead). Otherwise, they will not be accepted. Please refer to the following chart for application.

List of the Intellectual Exchange Fellows of 2011 (PDF)

List of the Intellectual Exchange Fellows of 2010 (PDF)

List of the Intellectual Exchange Fellows of 2009 (PDF)

List of the Intellectual Exchange Fellows of 2008 (PDF)

List of the Intellectual Exchange Fellows of 2007 (PDF)

List of the Intellectual Exchange Fellows of 2006 (PDF)

List of the Intellectual Exchange Fellows of 2005 (PDF)