Japan Opens JSPS Short-Term Fellowships 2026 for German Doctoral Candidates and Early-Career Postdocs

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has officially reopened applications for the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme (Short Term) for the 2026 intake, offering German researchers an opportunity to conduct focused research stays of up to 12 months in Japanese laboratories.

This bilateral programme, which strengthens scientific ties between Germany and Japan, allows doctoral candidates to spend between 1 and 12 months at a Japanese host institution, while postdoctoral researchers can receive funding for 1 to 6 months.

The short-term format is designed for agility, differing from the standard JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship that typically requires longer commitments of 1–2 years.

Competitive Funding Package

The JSPS Short-Term Fellowship provides a funding package that is considered competitive within Japanese standards:

Doctoral candidates: Approximately 200,000 yen per month
Postdoctoral fellows: Approximately 362,000 yen per month

Postdocs who complete their doctorate during the fellowship period receive an automatic upgrade to the higher postdoctoral stipend. In addition, the programme covers:

• A round-trip air ticket
• Travel health insurance
• A starting allowance of about 200,000 yen for stays of three months or longer

Funding is disbursed strictly in full-month modules and is non-renewable, positioning the fellowship as a strategic launchpad rather than a long-term residency option.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility is selective. Applicants must:

Hold German nationality or a permanent residence permit in Germany (Japanese citizens and dual nationals are excluded)

For postdoctoral researchers: Be within six years of obtaining their doctorate as of 1 April 2026
For doctoral candidates: Be formally enrolled in a PhD programme and expected to defend their thesis within two years of the fellowship start date

Applicants must also secure a written agreement for a research plan with a Japanese host researcher and obtain a confirmed position at an eligible Japanese institution listed by JSPS.

Excellent English proficiency is required, while knowledge of Japanese is considered an advantage but not mandatory. Candidates who already hold a Japanese residence permit or have previously received the standard JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship are not eligible.

Strategic Opportunity for German Researchers

With growing bilateral science collaboration between Berlin and Tokyo, the 2026 intake comes at a time when short, targeted research stays are viewed as increasingly valuable compared to traditional long-term postdoc positions abroad. The programme’s flexibility makes it particularly attractive for mid-thesis PhD students and early-career researchers seeking focused international experience without extended relocation.

Applications are now open through the DAAD. Interested candidates are encouraged to review the full guidelines and prepare their research proposals in coordination with potential Japanese hosts.

This initiative continues JSPS’s long-standing commitment to fostering international research mobility and deepening Germany-Japan academic partnerships.