Principles of the Matsumae International Foundation

The goal of the Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) is to provide overseas researchers who possess excellent academic ability, regardless of the rece, sex, religion, or ideology, with opportunities to carry out reseach activities in Japan, thereby contributing to development in Japan as well as international friendship and goodwill.

Features of the Fellowship Program

• Ths program is intended for young overseas researchers showing significant academic ability, regardless of sex, race, religion, ideology, or creed.
• Fellows are free to choose a host institution in Japan.
• Subject of research is left to the discretion of the fellows and their host professors / scholars.
• The fellows will take part in the study tour during their research stay. This tour is organized to contact the traditional culture and technology of Japan. It also gives the fellows opportunities to think about the importance of the peaceful use of technology and science.

I. 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 ageof 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.

II. Research Fields

Preferable research fileds are natural sciences, engineering, medicine, etc.

III. Fellowship Period

As a rule, six months between June 2026 to March 2027.

Please indicate the commencing and ending month in your Application Form (#1)

(E.g., Form September 2026 to February 2027.)

IV. Host Institution in Japan

Applicants are free to choose a host institution in Japan (universities, national research institutions, or equivalent facilities in the private sector) to carry out their research.

V. Fellowship Details

The following financial supports are provided to successful applicants.

Fellowships are provided to the successful applicants only, and intended for necessary living expenses and research activities in Japan. Under no circumstances, this fellowship is transferable.

• 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

​​​​​​​Oberseas travel insurance with medical treatment and death benefits is provided.

• Study Tour

​​​​​​​The MIF invites fellowship recipients in a study tour during thier fellowship to deepen their knowledge of Japan.

VI. Application

Applicants must submit their application documents to the MIF via e-mail., with copy to the International Affairs Office of the UTP.

• Email: [email protected] CC [email protected]
• Application Period: June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025 (Japan Standard Time)

IMPORTANT: Applications will not be accepted for any reason before or after the application period.

VII. 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.

Documents

1. Application Form (WORD, 41.66 KB): Please download the application form. An ID photograph taken within the past three months must be attached. Please make sure that the form is filled out precisely. Applications using anything but the prescribed form that has been signed and dated will not be accepted.
2. Reason for Application (EORD, 28.33 KB): Please download the form and write down your application reasons within 500 words.
3. Research Plan: You must submit the following research plan within 5 pages: (a) The content, purpose, and methodology of the research; (b) The road map of the research project; and (c) The benefit the research project will bring to your country. (a) and (b) should be described in detail based on discussions with your host professor / scholar in Japan.
4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) and List of Publications: Regarding the list of publications, please precisely include the authors and titles of the publications, the journal name, page(s), and year of publication. Please also clearly highlight in yellow the title of the publication related to the research project you intend to conduct in Japan.
5. Recommendation Letter: It must be from your current home institution (employer) and written on its letterhead. It should testify to your academic ability and achievements and confirm the availability of study leave during your fellowship period.
6. A soft copy of the Academic Certificate for Ph.D.: If the document is unavailable in English, please attach an English translation (Self-translation is unacceptable).
7. Letter from Host Professor / Scholar in Japan: The letter must state the reason for hosting you and indicate that the host professor agrees to arrange your accomodation during the fellowship. The MIF will accept a letter only using the host institution's letterhead and signed by the host professor.

< To host proffesors / scholars in Japan >

Please write your letter in Japanese or Englishusing your institution's letterhead.

1. The letter should be adressed to the Chairperson of the Matsumae International Foundation.
2. Please write your name and institutional affiliation, including the department and faculty, in Japanese and English.
3. Please include your contact information: postal coda, address, phone number, email.
4. Please email the applicant your signed etter so that thay can include it with their application documents.

VIII. Contact

• Interested students may contact o[email protected]
• Phone: 560-3201
• Attention in person at the International Relations Office from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.
• Find us on social networks as @dri_utp