Seeking fully funded research opportunities abroad? Well, wait no more as one of the most prestigious fellowships in Japan is now accepting applications. You heard it right! Application call for the Matsumae (MIF) Research Fellowship Program for the session 2026-27. The Matsumae International Foundation has recently announced applications for its fellowship through its official portal, and is inviting applications from outstanding researchers from all around the world to participate and experience cutting-edge research in the areas of Natural Science, Engineering, and Medicine in the prestigious Japanese Research institutes.
The duration of the fellowship is six months, which is scheduled from June 2026 to March 2027 in Japan. The objective of the fellowship is to provide research opportunities to outstanding researchers in Japan, thereby contributing to the academic development and fostering friendship and goodwill. The MIF Japan Fellowship offers comprehensive financial support, the fellowship will receive Monthly Allowance, Study tours, insurance, Arrival funds, with other perks and benefits. There is no Application fee associated with the fellowship program; applicants interested in this Japanese fellowship need to submit their online application by June 30th, 2025. To know more about the MIF Fellowship eligibility criteria, coverage, benefits, and application process, read the details below.
Details About Matsumae (MIF) Research Fellowship 2026
| Host Country | Japan |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | Matsumae International Foundation |
| Duration | 6 Months |
| No. of Awards | 15 |
| Dates | June 2026 to March 2027 |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Application Deadline | June 30th, 2025 |
Also, Check: Bonn International Fellowships 2026 in Germany
Fellowship Period
- The duration of the fellowship is 6 months, which will take place from June 2026 to March 2027
Fellowship Coverage
The Japan MIF Fellowship covers all the costs related to the program, the coverage includes:
- A monthly allowance of JPY 220,000 to cover expenses related to research
- An Arrival fund of JPY 120,000 to cover the initial costs in Japan
- Round-trip airfare coverage
- Overseas travel insurance
- Participation in study tours to experience the Japanese culture
Areas of Research
The fellowship is offering research in the areas of:
- Medicine
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants meeting the following criteria are eligible for the MIF fellowship:
- The fellowship is accepting applications from all foreign nationals
- Applicants holding Japanese nationalities are not eligible to apply
- Applicants must have completed their PhD studies at the time of application
- Age requirement: max 40 or younger at time of application
- Demonstrate interest in pursuing research in Japanese institutes
- Possesses an excellent academic record
- Applicants must have sufficient English and Japanese language abilities
- Willing to return to their home countries after the completion of a fellowship
Host Institutes in Japan
Interested applicants can select any host institution in Japan, including universities, national research institutes, to carry out their research for the duration of the fellowship. To be considered for the fellowship, applicants must have to obtain acceptance from the host institute before applying.
Required Documents
The following documents need to be submitted in English:
- Application Form
- Research Plan
- An Updated CV
- Recommendation Letter
- Academic Certificate for PhD
- Letter from Host Professor
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How to Apply?
Applicants who are interested in the fellowship need to submit their required documents to the MIF via email: application@mif-japan.org
The application window is currently open and will last till June 30th, 2025.
For more details regarding the fellowship, visit the official link below.
