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

The Japan Foundation (JF) is pleased to announce a new 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
• Application for FY 2025
• Contacts

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.

HOST INSTITUTIONS IN JAPAN

1. a.Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University
   https://kyoto.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/
2. b.Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO)
   https://www.ide.go.jp/English.html
3. c.The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)
   https://www.jiia.or.jp/en/
4. d.National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
   https://www.grips.ac.jp/en/
5. e.Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Tokyo University
   https://esrp.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp/?lang=en

Application for FY2025

Applications for FY2025 are now closed.
Please refer to Application Guidelines for more information.

【Application Guidelines】

1. a.Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University
   CSEAS Guidelines(PDF:309KB)
   Priority field/theme: Research on common issues between Japan and ASEAN with an interdisciplinary approach.
2. b.Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO)
   IDE-JETRO Guidelines(PDF:304KB)
   Priority field/theme: Social sciences in general (politics, economics, society, etc.) focused on ASEAN countries.
3. c.The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)
   JIIA Guidelines(PDF:297KB)
   Priority field/theme: Foreign policy and international relations related to Japan.
4. d.National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
   GRIPS Guidelines(PDF:303KB)
   Priority field/theme: Policy oriented research related to Japan-ASEAN cooperation in general.
5. e.Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), Tokyo University
   Guidelines (FY2025 RCAST)(PDF:307KB)
   Priority field/theme: Research on economic security (i.e. Policy-oriented studies focused on the overlap between economy and security issues such as: critical and emerging technologies; supply chains; economic coercion; food security; energy security; strategic communication/ countering disinformation; etc.).

【Summary of Application】

Summary of Application

Eligibility of applicants	Applicants must meet all of the following criteria: a.Applicants must be citizens of ASEAN countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), or Timor-Leste; b.Researchers must hold a Ph.D. or the highest academic degree in their field of expertise. Non-research professionals must have a total of seven or more years of work experience in a field related to their proposed research; c.Applicants must be in good health and proficient in either Japanese or English; 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 grant program.
Expected number of fellows and fellowsip period	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 commencement date for a Fellowship must fall between June 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Benefits	(1)One-time Benefits a.International Air Ticket: Round-trip discount economy-class airfare (the most direct route). Fellows already in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship will receive only a one-way ticket for their return flight. b.Settling-in Allowance: JPY 250,000 (In principle, this allowance will not be provided to Fellows who are already in Japan before the commencement of the Fellowship.) 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.) d.Insurance: Overseas traveler's insurance policy (2)Monthly Benefits a.Monthly Stipend (covering living and research expenses): JPY 400,000 b.Dependent Allowance (if applicable): JPY 10,000 per certified person c.Enrollment Fees (if applicable): Up to JPY 25,000
Host Institution in Japan	Please refer to the application guidelines for each institution.
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)Application deadline: December 2, 2024 (Mon) 23:59 (Japan Time) (2)How to apply: a.Download the application documents from the followings: Application Guidelines Application Form:A~D(ZIP:440KB) b.Submit the following application documents (a)-(d) by e-mail attachment to jfseap_vf＠jpf.go.jp. (When sending an e-mail, please enter a half-width character instead of a full-width character "＠.") For efficient processing, please include “JFSEAP Visiting Fellowship Application” in the subject line of the e-mail: (a)(Form A) Application Form (b)(Form B) Project Statement Form (c)(Form C) Curriculum Vitae (d)(Form D) Confidential Reference Letters (At least two are required) Please ask two or more referees to prepare a reference letter using Form D. The referees must directly send the letter to jfseap_vf＠jpf.go.jp as an e-mail attachment by the application deadline. Please have them include the applicant name in the subject line of the e-mail. (When sending an e-mail, please enter a half-width character instead of a full-width character "＠.") (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 applicants. (1)Preliminary round of selection: document review a.Selections will be made based on the submitted documents. b.Applicants who pass this preliminary round of selection will receive an e-mail invitation to the second round of selection by January 17, 2025. (2)Second round of selection: online interview a.Online interviews of approximately 20 minutes per applicant will be conducted in late January or February 2025 for those who pass the preliminary round of selection. 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. c.The results of the second round will be notified by e-mail by April 2025. Neither the reason for the results, nor the status of any application during the screening process, can be discussed.