JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarships for International Students

PhD Fully Funded Scholarships for International students

2021 / 2022 Scholarships in Japan

JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarships for International Students

The Japanese Government is offering scholarships for international students in Japan. This scholarship is intended to provide financial support to the most competent researchers all around Asia, Africa, and other specified countries (find the list below). Those who want to get their Ph.D. degrees from Japanese universities (by only submitting their dissertation) without getting enrolled in doctoral courses are welcome to apply for this scholarship. This scholarship invites the fellows to visit their Japanese advisors to get direct supervision at the respective university where they’ll be supposed to submit their Ph.D. thesis. This scholarship is being offered in cooperation with JSPS’s overseas nominating organizations in Asia and Africa. Under the RONPAKU program awardees are required to manage their research under joint supervision (an advisor in Japan and an advisor in their home country). The Japan advisor must visit the awardee’s home university or institute when it is obligatory to supervise the awardee’s research together with his or her home advisor. To conduct research under the direct supervision of the advisor in Japan, awardees must visit the Japanese university.

Field of Study / Subjects:

Applicants can choose any field for their dissertation of a Ph.D. degree under this scholarship. These fields can be:

• Humanities
• Natural sciences
• Social sciences

Other latest Scholarships in Japan are also offered for different degrees and subjects all over Japan.

Number of Scholarships:

Approximately 15 scholarships annually are offered for the international students to obtain their Ph.D. Degree.

Duration of Scholarship:

3 years maximum (starting from April 1, 2021).

Scholarship Description / Details:

Japanese Government scholarship is offering many benefits, which are given as follows:

• The applicants will be provided with a round international air ticket of economy class.
• Maintenance allowance
• Medical and accidental insurance
• All expenses during research conduction including travel within Japan (or to the applicant’s home country) will be covered by this scholarship.
• Total funding provided to Japanese host university Maximum of 3.6 million yen (Up to 1.2 million yen per fiscal year).

Eligible Countries:

ASIA (including Middle East countries):

• Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, and Yemen

AFRICA:

• Algeria, Angora, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

EUROPE (specified countries):

• Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Georgia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan JSPS also Taiwan, and Palestine.

Eligibility Criteria:

In order to be considered as eligible for this scholarship, applicants should possess the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be a researcher.
• Must hold nationality in any of the above-mentioned countries.
• The applicant has not obtained a Ph.D. degree from a university (if during, the time of JSPS support, the awardee obtains a Ph.D. degree through another program, JSPS will discontinue the ROMPAKU allowance) and wishes to obtain a Ph.D. degree from a Japanese university through submission of dissertation.
• Applicant should be employed full time at any research institution in his/her home country by April 1, 2021.
• Must be under 45 years of age as of April 1, 2021
• Detailed eligibility criteria can be found in the Application Guidelines.

How to Apply / Download Scholarship Form / Documents Required:

Applicants, who want to apply for the scholarship offered by the Japanese Government:

• Application forms can be downloaded from here.
• The applicant must get the consent of a prospective Japanese advisor prior to applying for this scholarship.
• Form 2 must be filled out by the applicant whereas Form 3 needs to fill out by the applicant’s home institute (Letter of Recommendation) and send it across to the Japanese advisor.
• Japanese advisors will fill out the Form 1 and submit all the forms together via their university.
• Applicant should submit their application form for scholarships before the final date of submission.
• Attach all necessary documents with the application form.

Procedure of Application:

Applicants to apply for this scholarship program is to use JSPS’s online application system. There are 3 different forms.

• Form 1 (Application Form 1) is prepared by the candidate’s advisor in Japan.
• Form 2 (Application Form 2) is prepared by the candidate.
• Form 3 (Letter of Recommendation) is prepared by the candidate’s advisor in the home country and by the president of his or her affiliated university or institute.

Applicant must contact to Japan advisor before applying for this program and discuss with him about this program. Then he or she should fill out form 2 and asked their home Institute or advisor to fill out form 3. After completing both forms, form 2 and form 3 submit (pdf files) application package to the advisor in Japan. Then the advisor in Japan will fill out the form 1 and submit it along with form 2 and form 3 (sent by applicant) via his or her university to JSPS.

Note: JSPS will not accept applications that are submitted by candidates themselves.

Contact Details:

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
5-3-1, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083JAPAN

Ph: +81(0)3-3263-2368

Fax: +81-3-3234-3700

Email: ronpaku@jsps.go.jp

Last Date to Apply / Deadline: 

17 to 21 August 2020.

Official Website: 

Visit the official website to get more details about the JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government scholarship:

http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-ronpaku/about.html

JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarships Application Process

Here are the details of JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarships for International Students:

Step 1:

• Application forms can be downloaded from here.
• The applicant must get the consent of a prospective Japanese advisor prior to applying for this scholarship.
• Form 2 must be filled out by the applicant whereas Form 3 needs to fill out by the applicant’s home institute (Letter of Recommendation) and send it across to the Japanese advisor.
• Japanese advisors will fill out the Form 1 and submit all the forms together via their university.
• Applicant should submit their application form for scholarships before the final date of submission.
• Attach all necessary documents with the application form.

Step 2:

Select the university related to your field and fill relevant university international students admission form.

Step 3:

Fill the JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarship’s application or scholarship form.

Go to this site https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-ronpaku/data/appli_forms/fy2021/Form2.pdf

Download the application form.

Here you will write your name and give details regarding your nationality, address, and current employment.

Here you will give details of your previous Higher Education, previous employment, and language proficiency information.

Here you will give details regarding the past course study in a Japanese university, past professional visit or visits to Japan, and year master’s degree was awarded (if applicable).

Here you will give details of your past and current research related to your dissertation research, and a list of your thesis and papers related to your dissertation.

Here you will give details about the expected Ph.D. degree, advisors, and dissertation thesis.

Here you will mention the list of your main publications not directly related to your dissertation, and give details regarding the awards and exchange visit plan.

Here you will write your dissertation research plan under the RONPAKU program.

Here you will provide an abstract of your latest publication related to your dissertation research.

JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarships Frequently Asked Questions

Students have lots of questions regarding the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarships for International Students. It is the scholarship program offered by the Japanese government to international students who want to study in Japan. Here are the answers to your questions regarding this scholarship program.

(Q) Is it easy to apply for this scholarship program?

(A) Yes.

(Q) Is it easy to be selected for this scholarship program?

(A) Yes, if you are an eligible candidate.

(Q) What is the aim of this scholarship program?

This scholarship is intended to provide financial support to the most competent researchers all around Asia, Africa, and other specified countries (find the list below). Those who want to get their Ph.D. degrees from Japanese universities (by only submitting their dissertation) without getting enrolled in doctoral courses are welcome to apply for this scholarship.

(Q) How to apply for the JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarship for International Students? Or procedure to apply for this scholarship program?

(A) Application forms can be downloaded from here.

(Q) Host country of this scholarship program?

(A) Japan.

(Q) Is it necessary to submit a hard copy of your application?

(A) No.

(Q) What is the duration of this scholarship program?

(A) 3 years maximum.

(Q) Is it a fully funded scholarship program?

(A) Japanese Government scholarship is offering many benefits, which are given as follows:

• The applicants will be provided with a round international air ticket of economy class.
• Maintenance allowance
• Medical and accidental insurance
• All expenses during research conduction including travel within Japan (or to the applicant’s home country) will be covered by this scholarship.
• Total funding provided to Japanese host university Maximum of 3.6 million yen (Up to 1.2 million yen per fiscal year).

(Q) Is it possible to submit your application after the deadline?

(A) No.

(Q) Who can apply for this scholarship program?

(A) International students who want to study in Japan.

(Q) Scholarship will be awarded on merit?

(A) Yes.

(Q) Which fields of education does this program offers?

(A) Applicants can choose any field for their dissertation of a Ph.D. degree under this scholarship. These fields can be:

• Humanities
• Natural sciences
• Social sciences.

(Q) What is the eligibility criteria for this scholarship program?

(A) Order to be considered as eligible for this scholarship, applicants should possess the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be a researcher.
• Must hold nationality in any of the above-mentioned countries.
• The applicant has not obtained a Ph.D. degree from a university (if during, the time of JSPS support, the awardee obtains a Ph.D. degree through another program, JSPS will discontinue the ROMPAKU allowance) and wishes to obtain a Ph.D. degree from a Japanese university through submission of dissertation.
• Applicant should be employed full time at any research institution in his/her home country by April 1, 2021.
• Must be under 45 years of age as of April 1, 2021.
• Detailed eligibility criteria can be found in the Application Guidelines.

(Q) What if an applicant submits only their application form and not the documents?

(A) Then their application will not be considered.

 (Q) A person who already is availing any other scholarship, can apply for this scholarship program?

(A) An applicant may apply for other scholarship programs but cannot hold two scholarships at the same time.

(Q) What is joint supervision?

(A) Under the RONPAKU program awardees are required

• To manage their research under joint supervision (an advisor in Japan and an advisor in their home country). The Japan advisor must visit the awardee’s home university or institute when it is obligatory to supervise the awardee’s research together with his or her home advisor
• To conduct research under the direct supervision of the advisor in Japan, awardees must visit the Japanese university.

(Q)  How many scholarships are awarded per year?

(A) Approximately 15 scholarships annually are offered.

(Q) Which countries are eligible to apply for this scholarship program?

(A) ASIA (including Middle East countries):

• Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, UAE, Vietnam, and Yemen

      AFRICA:

• Algeria, Angora, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

    EUROPE (specified countries):

• Azerbaijan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Georgia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan JSPS also Taiwan, and Palestine.

(Q) What is the procedure of application?

(A) Applicants to apply for this scholarship program is to use JSPS’s online application system. There are 3 different forms.

• Form 1 (Application Form 1) is prepared by the candidate’s advisor in Japan.
• Form 2 (Application Form 2) is prepared by the candidate.
• Form 3 (Letter of Recommendation) is prepared by the candidate’s advisor in the home country and by the president of his or her affiliated university or institute.

Applicant must contact to Japan advisor before applying for this program and discuss with him about this program. Then he or she should fill out form 2 and asked their home Institute or advisor to fill out form 3. After completing both forms, form 2 and form 3 submit (pdf files) application package to the advisor in Japan. Then the advisor in Japan will fill out the form 1 and submit it along with form 2 and form 3 (sent by applicant) via his or her university to JSPS.

Note: JSPS will not accept applications that are submitted by candidates themselves.

(Q) For a RONPAKU fellowship, what should a candidate do?

(A) Candidates must prepare forms 1 and 2 and send it to the Japanese advisor. Then Japanese advisor should prepare form 3 and submit all three forms to JSPS via his or her university.

(Q) Is the candidate allowed to apply to JSPS directly?

(A) No.

(Q) Is a candidate allowed to apply for this scholarship program if he or she already has a Ph.D. degree from a university in their home country?

(A) No.

(Q) Can a candidate ask JSPS to introduce them to an advisor in case if they don’t know anybody to be their advisor in Japan?

(A) No.

(Q) What is the eligibility of a Japanese advisor?

(A) A Japanese advisor should be an associate professor or full time professor who is engaged in implementing a doctoral course at the Japanese university where candidate will submit their Ph.D. thesis.

(Q) Can a candidate submit the application form by himself or herself?

(A) No.

(Q) When will the names of shortlisted (selected) candidates announced?

(A) JSPS will inform the institution of the Japanese advisor of the result by the end of next January.

(Q) What happens if any information is found to be untrue?

(A) Then the process of your application will be terminated.

(Q) What is the deadline or last date of this scholarship program?

(A) 17 to 21 August 2020.

(Q) How to contact the JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarship for International Students?

(A) Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
5-3-1, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083JAPAN

Ph: +81(0)3-3263-2368

Fax: +81-3-3234-3700

Email: ronpaku@jsps.go.jp

Want to know more about the JSPS RONPAKU Japanese Government Scholarship for International Students?

• Visit their official website:
• http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-ronpaku/about.html

By- Syed Pashmina Dolly.