Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) Research Fellowship Program 2026 for Study in Japan (Fully Funded)

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Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

Applications are now open for the 2026 Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) Research Fellowship Program. The goal of the Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) is to provide overseas researchers who possess excellent academic ability, regardless of race, sex, religion, or ideology, with opportunities to carry out research activities in Japan, thereby contributing to academic development in Japan as well as international friendship and goodwill.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants of non-Japanese nationality who meet all the following requirements are eligible to submit application documents.

• Applicants who empathize with the core values of the MIF.
• Applicants must obtain acceptance from a host institution in Japan before application.
• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (Doctoral Degree) at the time of application.
• Applicants must be at the age of 45 years old or younger at the time of application. (The birth year must be in or after 1980.)
• Applicants must have sufficient English or Japanese language ability.
• Applicants should not have past or current experiences of staying in Japan. (other than short-term stays such as for sightseeing or conferences)
• Applicants must have an occupation in their home countries, return there upon completing their fellowship tenure, and contribute to the development of their own country.

RESEARCH FIELDS
Preferable research fields are natural science, engineering, medicine, etc.

FELLOWSHIP PERIOD
As a rule, six months between June 2026 to March 2027.cPlease indicate the commencing and ending month in your Application Form (#1). (E.g., From September 2026 to February 2027.)

NUMBER OF FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS: Around 15

Fellowship Worth:

Monthly Allowance

• A monthly allowance of JPY 220,000 is provided to cover expenses for research activities (including materials) and living expenses in Japan.
• Arrival Fund: JPY 120,000 is provided to cover part of the initial living costs in Japan.
• Round-trip Air Transportation: Round-trip economy class airfare is provided between the nearest international airport from a grantee’s domicile and Tokyo, Japan.
• Insurance: Overseas travel insurance with medical treatment and death benefits is provided.
• Study Tour: The MIF invites fellowship recipients to participate in a study tour during their fellowship to deepen their knowledge of Japan.

Application Procedure:

Applicants must submit their application documents to the MIF via e-mail.

• Email: [email protected]
• Application Period: June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025 (Japan Standard Time)
  Applications will not be accepted for any reason before or after the application period

  APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
  The following documents must be submitted as PDFs to the MIF via e-mail. Please do not combine all documents into one PDF.

• All documents must be typed in English.
• Neither inadequate documents will be accepted nor subject to screening.
  The following will be automatically rejected without notice.
• Emails over 5 MB in size.
• Emails with attachments with file extensions other than “PDF.”
• Emails with attachments in any compressed format such as “zip” or “rar.”
• Emails including any program files or downloadable links.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) Research Fellowship Program