Matsumae Postdoctoral fellowships in Japan (for non-Japanese nationality)

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The Matsumae International Foundation (MIF) is a nongovernmental organization. Its Fund is solely based on donations from many Japanese people who have responded with goodwill to Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae’s call. While many donations have been kindly offered by enterprises and groups, most of the donors are individuals who are sympathetic with the Founder’s ideals, and maintain contributions to the Fund from their limited incomes. Successful applicants are urged to seriously consider and understand the goodwill of those persons, and ensure that the provided fellowships are utilized effectively.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants of non-Japanese nationality who meet all of the following eligibility requirements are invited to submit the required application documents.

  1. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (Doctorate) degree, or be recognized by MIF as possessing equivalent academic qualifications.
  2. Applicants must be under 49 years old at the time of application.
  3. Applicants must have sufficient conversational ability in English or Japanese to prevent insurmountable difficulties during their research activities in Japan.
  4. Applicants should not have been in Japan in the past and/or in the present.
  5. Applicants should have firm positions and professions in their home countries, and should return to their countries on completion of their fellowship stay by MIF.
  6. Applicants must be of sound health and not physically handicapped in any way which would not prevent from carrying out research in Japan.

FIELDS OF STUDY Fields of study such as natural science, engineering and medicine are given first priority.

PERIOD & NUMBER OF FELLOWSHIPS Applicants indicate the period of Fellowship with the length of stay needed for the Research Project (Application Document #2) between 3 months to 6 months, and the commencing month and ending month between April 2016 to March 2017. (e.g. 5 months from June 2016 to October 2017) MIF plans to invite about 20 persons.

  1. HOST INSTITUTION IN JAPAN Applicants are free to select host institutions (university research laboratories, national research institutions or the corresponding facilities of private industry) in which to carry out their research. However, applicants are cautioned that they are obliged to obtain acceptance from such host institutions prior to submitting their applications. MIF cannot give counsel or advice to an applicant concerning his/her host institution in Japan.
  2. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applicants should obtain the current issue of the Fellowship Announcement from MIF. To obtain the announcement, write to MIF with name and address by postal mail, or by E-mail. Or, download the announcement from the webpage of MIF and print out the Application Form in PDF-format or MS Word file. MIF cannot entertain requests for waivers of the eligibility requirements and other conditions, listed in the Fellowship Announcement, and will not respond to such requests. Application must be submitted from the applicant’s home country. Under no circumstances will an application be accepted from a person already in Japan. MIF never receives applications by Fax or E-Mail. Applications must be received by MIF by August 31, 2015, at the latest.
  3. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS All of the following documents – A4 in size – should be submitted on one occasion by the applicant to MIF. All documents must be type-written in English. Documents written in any language other than English are not accepted. Submitted applications which do not contain all of the required documents will be automatically rejected. MIF will not be responsible for costs incurred in submitting an application, and reserves the right to request additional documents if necessary. All documents received become the property of MIF, and will not be returned. MIF will not respond to individual inquiry concerning the status/arrival of application documents.
  4. Application Form (Applicants should use the original Form provided by MIF, or an exact photocopy. A self made Form is not accepted.) The form is made of two pages. Applicant should attach photograph taken within three months. Applicants should ensure that every item in the application form, without exception, is properly filled in the spaces provided. (Please complete all questions.) Applicants should sign and date in the form.
  5. The Research Project Applicant should describe this document by oneself. This should include detailed information on the purpose, methodology, content of the research, and the schedule of the project. The research project must be discussed in detail with the host scientist, and the planned content must be consistent with the research facilities at the host institution.
  6. Complete List of Publications This should include full details of the publication: when and where published, co-authors’ names (where applicable), size and number of pages, etc. Please indicate in red the title of any publications on the list which are submitted as requested in item
  7. A reprint of what the applicant considers to be his/her the most important publication If the reprint in English is unavailable, please attach a brief abstract (summary) in English written by the applicant.
  8. Personal History (Curriculum Vitae)
  9. A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s employer and/or supervisor (e.g. Faculty Dean) testifying to academic ability and achievements, and confirming the availability of study leave covering the grant period.
  10. A certified copy of the applicant’s academic certificates (degrees of Ph.D., Master, Bachelor) issued by the university concerned. (These documents should be in English. If the certificate(s) is unavailable in English, please attach the translation in English.)
  11. An invitation letter with signature by the scientist of host institution confirming; the period of stay, the research project, the availability of research facilities/materials, and the arrangement of lodging accommodation, under MIF Fellowship Program. (The format is free. E-mail is not accepted.)

Deadline: August 31, 2015

Application form: http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~mif/

Further details: http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~mif/