Matsumae Research Fellowships
What is the Matsumae Research Fellowship?
Matsumae Research Fellowships 2026 (MIF) grants annually up to 15 fellowships to highly qualified non-Japanese researchers in natural science, engineering or medicine. Fellows are expected to spend 6 months on their research visit in Japan. For more details see MIF summary![](/doc/cms_library/143.gif" alt=)
Who can apply for the Matsumae Research Fellowship?
Postdocs, junior researchers, senior researchers in natural science, engineering, medicine who are of non-Japanese nationality up to 45 years old.
Why to apply for the Matsumae Research Fellowship?
- It is a nice opportunity for IOCB researchers to spend 3–6 months on a research visit at an excellent research institution in Japan.
- You can establish new cooperation with Japanese researchers.
- You can develop your professional career & improve your skills.
- You can get financial support Y220,000 per month to cover allowance for research stay: tuition payment, materials, living costs.
- You can get financial support Y120,000 to cover the initial costs to start a new research stay in Japan.
- You can get financial support to cover travel costs & health insurance.
- You can attend MIF Study Tour to discover Japan´s culture, tradition and history.
- You can attend a fellows meeting held in the MIF Reception House.
- You can become a member of MIF global network and continue your contact with MIF & other fellows.
- You will receive various publications and reports issued by MIF.
When to apply for the Matsumae Research Fellowship?
The nearest Matsumae Research Fellowships 2026 deadline is on Mon 30 June 2025 17:00 Japan standard time.
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Please inform the Project Office about your intention.
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How to apply for the Matsumae Research Fellowship?
- Find and read programme guidelines:
- Find an outstanding supervisor at an excellent Japanese research institution, negotiate your research project and the institutional support with him/her and ask him/her for the Invitation Letter to confirm the specific period of stay, the research project, the availability of research facilities/equipment, and the arrangement of accommodation facility.
- Contact your IOCB supervisor, negotiate your research project and your research stay in Japan with him/her and ask IOCB Project Office for the Letter of Recommendation to confirm academic ability and achievements, and the availability of study leave during the fellowship period.
- Complete and finalise your application in pdf form.
- Application form with a photo 4×3 cm taken within the past 3 months (use MIF template) (applicant)
- Research Plan: purpose, methodology, content, road map of the project (applicant & host supervisor)
- CV including a complete list of publications; highlight in yellow the title of publications related to the research project that you intended to conduct in Japan (applicant)
- Letter of Recommendation from the current employer to confirm academic ability and achievements, and the availability of study leave during the fellowship period (IOCB Project Office)
- Certified copies of all academic certificates (PhD, MSc, Bc) in English (applicant)
- Invitation Letter signed by the supervisor from the host institution to confirm the specific period of stay, the research project, the availability of research facilities/equipment, and the arrangement of accommodation facility (host supervisor)
- Submit mandatory parts of your application all together in by e-mail before Mon 30 June 2025 17:00 Japan standard time.
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Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application at the end of November 2025.
Applicants may realise their research visits in Japan between June 2026 and March 2027.
The Matsumae International Foundation
4-14-46, Kamiogi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, 167-0043 Japan, contact@mif-japan.org
