JF Southeast Asia Partnership (JFSEAP) Program / Visiting Fellowship (Inbound)

JFSEAP logo

The Japan Foundation (JF) is pleased to announce a fellowship program, with the aim to support for the next generation of researchers and experts from ASEAN who are tackling global common issues faced by Japan and ASEAN.

Overview and Objectives of the Program

This program is designed to provide the next generation of researchers and experts from ASEAN who are tackling global common issues faced by Japan and ASEAN with opportunities to conduct research in Japan as Fellows of the host institutions, and to form and expand networks with people involved in international exchange through participation in workshops and other activities.

Application for FY2026

【Host Institutions and Priority Field/Theme for FY2026】

Host Institutions Priority Field/Theme Fellowship Start Date
Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University Research on common issues between Japan and ASEAN Between September 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO) Social sciences in general (politics, economics, society, etc.) focused on ASEAN countries Between June 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Policy oriented research related to Japan-ASEAN cooperation in general Between June 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) Foreign and security policy related to Japan, including non-traditional fields such as international economy and economic security, and Japan–ASEAN cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Between June 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027
Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) Sustainable Development, SDGs, Sustainability Investment, Earth System Governance, Future Earth Between June 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027

【Summary of Application】

Eligibility of applicants Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
  1. a.Applicants must be citizens of ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), or Timor-Leste;
  2. b.Applicants must hold a Ph.D., the highest academic degree in their field of expertise, or a Master’s Degree with five or more years of professional work experience in a field related to their proposed research;
  3. c.Applicants must be in good health and proficient in either Japanese or English;
  4. d.In principle, applicants must be able to stay continuously in Japan for the term of the Fellowship.
Eligible Projects
  • We are accepting applications for policy-oriented projects related to global common issues that should be jointly addressed by Japan, ASEAN and the international community.
  • Possible topics include climate change, disaster resilience, energy issues, economic security, maritime cooperation (e.g., maritime law), social and economic disparities, public health, AI, and urbanization; however, projects outside these categories can also be eligible if they meet the goals of the fellowship program.
Expected number of fellows and period of stay in Japan A small number of Fellows will be invited to stay continuously in Japan for over 3 months up to a maximum of 12 months.
The proposed start date for a Fellowship must fall between June 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. However, the start date for applicants to the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University must fall between September 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Benefits
  1. (1)One-time Benefits
    1. a.International Air Ticket: Round-trip discount economy-class ticket (the most direct route). Fellows already in Japan before the start of the Fellowship will receive only a one-way ticket for their return flight.
    2. b.Settling-in Allowance: JPY 250,000 (In principle, this allowance will not be provided to Fellows who are already in Japan before the start of the Fellowship.)
    3. c.Departure Allowance: JPY 50,000 (In principle, this allowance will not be provided to Fellows who will continue to stay in Japan after the termination of the Fellowship.)
    4. d.Insurance: JF provides overseas travel insurance based on its policy
  2. (2)Monthly Benefits
    1. a.Monthly Stipend (covering living and research expenses): JPY 400,000
    2. b.Dependent Allowance (if applicable): JPY 10,000 per certified person
    3. c.Enrollment Fees (if applicable): Up to JPY 25,000
Host Institution Applicants must review the priority fields and themes of the host institutions listed above, select one institution, and submit their application accordingly. Multiple applications to different host institutions are not permitted.
Selection Policy The following points will be emphasized in the selection process.
  • The project is about common issues that Japan and ASEAN should jointly address.
  • The purpose and goal of the research are clear, the theme of the research is appropriate, and the need to conduct research at the host institution can be recognized.
  • In addition to conducting their own research, all Fellows are expected to be willing to actively participate in research exchange projects.
  • The results of the research conducted in Japan can be expected to be disseminated during and after the Fellowship period. In addition, each Fellow can be expected to play an important role in interactions between Japan and ASEAN in the future.
Application Procedures
  1. (1)Application deadline: December 2, 2025 (Tue) 13:00 (Japan Time)
  2. (2)How to apply:
    1. a.Download the application documents from the website below:
      Japanese Studies Overseas and International Dialogue [Dialogue]
    2. b.Complete your application documents, following the Application Guidelines and the Instructions for Completing the Application Forms.
      1. (Form A) Application Form
      2. (Form B) Project Statement Form
      3. (Form C) Curriculum Vitae
    3. c.Upload your application documents to the Online Application Portal.
      * Visit the website to view the manual for this procedure.
      Online Application Portal: Login - 国際交流基金
    4. d.Please request that your referees upload their files (Confidential Reference Letters) to the dedicated URL, which you can issue via the Online Application Portal.
      (Form D) Confidential Reference Letters (Two Required)
  3. (3)Notes:
    The submitted data and documents will not be returned.
    In the event that multiple sets of data or documents are received, only the latest one received by the deadline will be considered.
Selection Procedures and Results notification JF and the host institutions will jointly screen the applications.
  1. (1)Preliminary round of selection: document review
    1. a.Selections will be made based on the submitted documents.
    2. b.Applicants who pass this preliminary round of selection will receive an e-mail invitation to the second round of selection by January 16, 2026.
  2. (2)Second round of selection: online interview
    1. a.Online interviews of approximately 20 minutes per applicant will be conducted in late January or February 2026 for those who pass the preliminary round of selection.
    2. b.The online interview will be conducted based on Japan time. If the interview schedule cannot be set, the interview will be considered declined. Please note that failure to respond to the interview during the arranged time slot may also be considered as an interview decline.
    3. c.The results of the second round will be notified by e-mail by April 2026.
Neither the reason for the results, nor the status of any application during the screening process, can be discussed.

List of Fellows

2025 JFSEAP Visiting Fellow

Contact Us

Secretariat of JFSEAP Fellowship Program
The Japan Foundation (JF)
Tel: +81-(0)3-5369-6072
E-mail: jfseap_vf＠jpf.go.jp
(When sending an e-mail, please replace the full-width "＠" with a half-width character.)

What We Do