Matsumae International Foundation Fully Funded Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Japan

Overview of Matsumae International Foundation (MIF).

The Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) which is a Japanese non profit that puts forward global academic exchange. In each year’s Research Fellowship Program MIF brings in preeminent postdoc researchers from all over the world to do in depth research for a period of 6 months at top Japanese institutions. Which is fully funded by MIF the fellowship which also covers living costs, travel related expenses, health insurance and also includes a study tour which is structured to better the fellow’s knowledge of Japan.

Which groups are eligible to apply for the Matsumae International Foundation (MIF)?

Non‑Japanese Nationals: Applicants are to be citizens of any country except Japan.

Ph.D. Holders: A doctoral degree should be completed at the time of application.

Age Limit: Candidates must have been born on or after January 1, 1980. which means they may not be older than 45.

Home‑Country Employment: Fellows which they are to be from their home countries and also will commit to return to help develop it.

Language Proficiency: Sufficient ability in English or Japanese for conduct of research and daily life in Japan.

Host Institution Approval: Before applying candidates must obtain an invitation or acceptance into a Japanese university, national research institute, or the like private sector entity.

Fields of Study Covered

MIF prioritizes cutting-edge research in: MIF is into the latest research in:.

Natural Sciences (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Materials Science)

Medicine (e.g., Biomedical Research, Public Health)

Universities Included in the Program

While MIF does not have a set list of host institutions, we do include:

Japan’s leading research institutions (eg. University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Osaka University).

National institutions like RIKEN, and National Institutes of Natural Sciences.

Industry and independent research centers which are private sector.

Applicants may put forth efforts to make contact with institutes which best have the expertise and resources to support your work.

Selection Process for Applicants

Document Review: MIF does an inital review of all application materials for eligibility and completion.

Peer Evaluation: A panel of Japanese and international scholars reviews research proposals which they base on originality, methodology, and also the value of the proposed research’s return to the applicant’s home country.

Host Endorsement: MIF reports back to the designated host institution which has given their ok also we see if the research plan will work.

Final Decision: Successful results are out by late November 2025.

Documents Needed for Application

Applicants should submit the below in English, as separate PDFs (each no bigger than 5MB) by email to application@mif-japan.org:

Filled out Application Form (with recent ID photo).

Statement of Purpose (max. 500 words)

Research Design (up to 5 pages which detail objectives, methodology, timeline, and expected impact).

Curriculum Vitae & Publication List

Letter of Recommendation (from home‑country institution)

Ph. D. Certification (or official translation into English).

Host Institution’s Note (a letter of confirmation from a Japanese professor or research supervisor).

Note: Emails that are either of compressed format (e.g., ZIP, RAR) or over 5 MB in size will be rejected.

Eligibility by Country

The fellowship is available for all nationalities except Japanese. We do not have country based quotas what we look for is that the candidate will return to and be engaged in their home country before and also during the fellowship period.

Benefits of MIF.

Monthly Allowance: JPY 220,000 for living and research expenses.

Arrival Allowance: In the range of JPY 120,000 for initial settlement costs in Japan.

Round‑Trip Airfare: Economy class ticket between his home country and Tokyo.

Comprehensive Insurance: Medical care and death benefits during the fellowship.

Cultural & Study Tour: Participation in experiences of Japanese society and culture.

Duration of the Scholarship

The Research Fellowship is for a term of six months which is to be taken up at any point between June 2026 and March 2027. Also to be determined by the Fellow and the host institution are the precise start and end dates.

Application Procedure

1. Identify a Host: Contact prospective supervisors in Japan and secure a formal acceptance letter.
2. Prepare Documents: Complete the application form, craft a concise statement of purpose, outline a detailed research plan, and collect all supporting letters and certificates.
3. Submit via Email: Send all materials as separate, correctly formatted PDF files to application@mif-japan.org between June 1 and June 30, 2025 (JST).

How to Apply for The Matsumae International Foundation (MIF)

1. Visit the official fellowship announcement page at mif-japan.org.
2. Download the application form and guidance notes.
3. Reach out to potential Japanese host institutions early (ideally by spring 2025).
4. Finalize and review your documents well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
5. Submit your complete application package by 11:59 PM JST on June 30, 2025.