JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme 2026

Application Deadline: January 31, 2026

Start Date: By November 30, 2026

Location: Japan

Program Overview

Advanced postdoctoral fellowship program for early-career researchers from developing countries to conduct sustainability research in Japan.

Organizations: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and United Nations University (UNU) Host: UNU-IAS (Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies) Duration: 24 months Focus: Sustainability research in four thematic areas Applicants: Primarily from developing world (70% of fellows historically)

Who Should Apply

• Early-career researchers (PhD received within past 6 years)
• Scholars from developing countries
• Researchers with professional or research experience
• Citizens of countries with diplomatic relations with Japan
• Those interested in sustainability research
• Interdisciplinary researchers

NOT eligible:

• Japanese nationals or permanent residents of Japan
• Previous JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship awardees
• ABDs (All But Dissertation) - must have completed PhD

Eligibility Requirements

Education:

• Doctoral degree received on or after April 2, 2020
• OR scheduled to receive PhD by July 31, 2026
• Maternity/paternity leave can be subtracted from timeline (4 weeks = 1 month)

Citizenship:

• Must be citizen of country with diplomatic relations with Japan
• NOT available to Japanese nationals or permanent residents
• International applicants welcome

Experience:

• Professional and/or research experience required
• Demonstrated research skills
• Publication record in relevant field

Fellowship Terms

Monthly Allowance: JPY 362,000/month

Additional Support:

• Round-trip airfare to Japan (based on JSPS regulations)
• Settling-in allowance: JPY 200,000
• Overseas travel insurance
• Research grant (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research) available

Note: If already living in Japan or obtaining resident status before fellowship, airfare and settling-in allowance not provided

Award amounts subject to change by JSPS

Research Thematic Areas

1. Governance for Climate Change and Sustainable Development (GCSD)

Focus:

• Governance for climate change mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• International sustainability law and climate policy
• Climate-security nexus
• Decarbonization strategies
• Food system transformation
• Carbon market mechanisms

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in sustainability-related field (geography, law, IR, natural sciences, economics, social science)
• Strong research skills and publication record
• Experience in climate governance
• Policy communication ability
• Fluency in English

2. Biodiversity & Society (BDS)

Focus:

• Human-nature interrelationship
• Biodiversity and human well-being
• Landscape and seascape approaches
• Biocultural diversity
• Sustainable food systems
• Circular economy
• Social-ecological resilience

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in applied social or environmental sciences (environmental policy, development studies, ecosystem management, environmental economics, landscape planning)
• Research and publication record
• Ability to design and implement fieldwork research
• English fluency

3. Water & Resource Management (WRM)

Focus:

• Sustainable water and sanitation (SDG 6)
• Water and climate change
• Water and disasters
• Water-food-energy nexus
• Transboundary water issues
• Water and gender
• Human rights to water and sanitation
• WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene)
• Water financing

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in related field (global environment, water science/engineering, water resources management, ecological research, public health, international policy)
• Desk and fieldwork research ability
• Excellent English (oral and written)
• Strong organizational and team skills

4. Innovation & Education (IVE)

Focus:

• Innovative and inclusive education for sustainable development
• Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
• Climate change competency and teacher training
• Educational technology for sustainability
• AI and higher education
• Sustainable consumption and production
• Inclusive learning technologies

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in related field (education, educational technology, teacher training, computer science, environmental policy)
• Research and communication skills
• Desk and fieldwork research ability
• English fluency (Japanese language desirable)

How to Apply

Deadline: January 31, 2026 (23:59 JST)

Process:

1. Find and confirm host researcher at eligible Japanese institution
2. Complete online application form in English

Important: Applicants responsible for finding host researcher - UNU-IAS cannot assist. UNU-IAS researchers cannot be host researchers.

Eligible Host Institutions: Check list on UNU-IAS website

Application Timeline

January 31, 2026: Application deadline

February-March 2026: UNU-IAS Fellowship Committee reviews applications

May 2026: Successful candidates notified

May-June 2026: Official JSPS application submission (through UNU-IAS)

July-August 2026: JSPS processing (up to 3 months)

By November 30, 2026: Fellowship start date (all fellows must start by this date)

2026-2028: 24-month fellowship period

Fellowship Duration

Length: 24 months (2 years) in full-month units

Residence: Must reside continuously in Japan during fellowship

Start Date: By November 30, 2026

Selection Criteria

UNU-IAS evaluates:

• Research objectives and proposal quality
• Academic merit
• Potential for successful research in Japan
• Policy relevance of research
• Gender considerations in research agenda

Assessment Process:

1. Application review
2. Shortlisted candidates called for online interview
3. Host researcher intention reconfirmed
4. Final selection

For More Information

Email: fellowships@unu.edu for Questions about application, eligibility, thematic areas, or program details

Visit: the JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme web page