JSPS Researcher Exchange Program 2027

Want to conduct research in Europe with fully funded international mobility support? The JSPS Researcher Exchange Program 2027 offers eligible researchers affiliated with Japanese institutions the opportunity to undertake funded research visits to Estonia or Lithuania while building long-term international collaborations. Administered by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), this competitive bilateral programme provides monthly living support, travel funding, accommodation assistance, and other eligible benefits while helping researchers establish sustainable international research partnerships and future joint projects. Whether you are an early-career researcher or an established academic, this programme offers an excellent opportunity to expand your international research network and strengthen your global research profile.

JSPS Researcher Exchange Program 2027-Overview

Category	Details
Host Countries	Estonia, Lithuania
Administered By	Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Programme	JSPS Researcher Exchange Program FY2027
Research Type	Bilateral Research Exchange
Eligible Researchers	Researchers affiliated with eligible Japanese research institutions
Duration	Estonia: 6–12 months • Lithuania: 1–12 months
Funding	Fully Funded including Airfare, monthly maintenance allowance, accommodation support, family allowance, domestic travel (country-specific)
Application Deadline	3 September 2026, 5:00 PM (JST)
Application Method	JSPS Electronic Application System

About the JSPS Researcher Exchange Program 2027

The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) created this programme to strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation between Japan and partner countries. Rather than supporting degree studies, the programme enables researchers to visit overseas institutions to conduct collaborative research, exchange expertise, and establish sustainable international research partnerships. Moreover, the programme emphasizes research activities that continue beyond the funded visit. Therefore, applicants should prepare research proposals that clearly demonstrate long-term collaboration and future networking potential.

According to the official FY2027 call, applications are available for research visits to:

Counterpart Country	Partner Organization	Maximum Researchers
Estonia	Estonian Research Council (ETAG)	1
Lithuania	Research Council of Lithuania (RCL)	1

Available Research Fields for JSPS Research Fellowship

Applicants may conduct research in:

Humanities
Social Sciences
Natural Sciences

Who Can Apply (JSPS Researcher Exchange Program eligibility)?

Researchers must hold an eligible affiliation with a Japanese research institution, satisfy nationality or residency requirements, and meet the country-specific eligibility criteria before submitting an application. In addition, applicants should already have established communication with their overseas research partner and prepare a realistic research plan.

Applicants must satisfy the following requirements.

Academic Affiliation

You must be affiliated with one of the following institutions:

University
Joint research institute
National College of Technology
Research organization designated by MEXT
Research organization eligible for KAKENHI funding

Furthermore, applicants should be full-time researchers (tenure is not required) who are eligible to receive KAKENHI or who aspire to hold such a position in the future.

Nationality

Applicants must be:

Japanese citizens, or
Foreign nationals with permanent residency in Japan.

Previous Participation

Researchers selected under this programme during FY2024, FY2025, or FY2026 cannot apply again for the same destination country under the same bilateral agreement.

Country-Specific Academic Requirement

For both Estonia and Lithuania, applicants must:

Hold a doctoral degree, or
Be expected to obtain a doctoral degree by 31 March 2027.

This also includes eligible researchers in the humanities and social sciences who will complete the required doctoral coursework by that date.

How to Apply for the JSPS Researcher Exchange Program 2027

Step 1: Identify an eligible host researcher and institution in Estonia or Lithuania for Japan research mobility funding.

JSPS Researcher Exchange Program 2027 Application Guidelines

Step 2: Develop a concrete research proposal together with your overseas collaborator.

Step 3: Obtain the required institutional approval from your affiliated Japanese institution.

Step 4: Complete the online application before the institutional deadline and the official JSPS deadline via JSPS Electronic Application System. Download the Application form FY2027 and submit it along with the required documents to the online system.

Apply Here for JSPS Researcher Exchange in Europe

Selection Criteria

JSPS evaluates applications using several core criteria.

Reviewers consider:

Scientific value of the proposed research
Concreteness and feasibility of the research plan
Evidence of communication with the overseas collaborator
Potential to establish sustainable future collaborations

In addition, applicants who previously conducted long-term research in the same country should clearly explain why another visit remains scientifically valuable.

Careers Help Desk Expert Insights

Many bilateral exchange programmes focus only on mobility. However, the JSPS Researcher Exchange Program places equal emphasis on future collaboration.

Therefore, your proposal should do more than describe the research itself. It should also explain:

Why this collaboration benefits both research groups.
How the partnership will continue after the visit.
Whether future joint publications or grant applications are expected.
Why the selected host institution provides unique expertise.

Likewise, applicants should communicate closely with their overseas collaborators before submitting the application. The official selection criteria explicitly evaluate the clarity and feasibility of the jointly developed research plan.

Funding and Financial Benefits

The financial support varies slightly depending on the host country.

Estonia (ETAG)

Selected researchers receive:

International airfare up to EUR 5,000 (actual expenses)
EUR 1,600 per month maintenance allowance
EUR 500 per month family allowance
Accommodation reimbursement up to EUR 1,000 per month
Domestic travel support within Estonia up to EUR 650
Domestic travel expenses within Japan provided by JSPS

Research costs at the Estonian host institution and institutional overheads are not eligible.

Lithuania (RCL)

Selected researchers receive:

International airfare (actual expenses)
EUR 1,600 per month maintenance allowance
EUR 500 per month family allowance
Accommodation support up to EUR 1,000 per month
Domestic travel support up to EUR 650 per year
Domestic travel expenses within Japan provided by JSPS

Accommodation costs above the stated limit remain the researcher’s responsibility.

Apply Now-JSPS Europe research

The JSPS Researcher Exchange Program FY2027 offers an excellent opportunity for researchers affiliated with Japanese institutions to build long-term international collaborations through funded research visits to Estonia or Lithuania. In addition to financial support for travel and living expenses, the programme prioritizes high-quality research with lasting scientific partnerships. Because only a limited number of researchers will be selected, you should begin discussing your research proposal with your overseas collaborator as early as possible. At the same time, confirm your institution’s internal application deadline and complete all required research integrity declarations before submitting your application.

Official Source: JSPS Researcher Exchange Program FY2027 Call for Proposals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the JSPS Researcher Exchange Program fully funded?

Yes. Selected researchers receive financial support that may include airfare, monthly maintenance allowance, accommodation assistance, family allowance, and domestic travel support depending on the destination country.

Can international researchers in Japan apply?

Yes. Foreign nationals with permanent residency status in Japan may apply if they satisfy the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Do I need a PhD?

Yes. Applicants must either hold a doctoral degree or expect to obtain one by 31 March 2027 for the participating countries listed in this call.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 3 September 2026 at 5:00 PM (JST). Applicants should also confirm whether their affiliated institution sets an earlier internal deadline.