1. The Nippon Foundation International Fellowship Program
1. Program Background and Objective: Globalization has had an enormous impact on every conceivable aspect of
Japanese society. These changes have in turn engendered a need for insightful leaders with the ability to swiftly
react, answering the challenges of the evolving global environment. The Nippon Foundation International
Fellowship Program aims to fill this developing gap, providing highly motivated Japanese working in the public or
private sectors with opportunities to further develop their abilities through mid-career study at overseas research or
educational institutions. It is expected that, upon returning from their fellowship, fellows will take initiative
individually as well as collectively in addressing social issues both within Japan and abroad, and in becoming vital
sources of knowledge and information, capable of transmitting them beyond national boundaries in order to
contribute to the betterment of societies in the world.
2. Program Outline:
Ø Fellows are responsible to search for an appropriate educational, research or other specialized institution
abroad that will deepen the knowledge of their specialization and help to build human networks. Obtaining
admission approval from the relevant institution must be done by the fellows themselves.
Ø Fellows are to equip themselves with the communication skills, knowledge and experience necessary to
contribute to solving social challenges in both Japan and overseas.
Ø Researchers are to seek for posts for visiting research fellows, while practitioners and administrative officials
are eligible to take training programs and graduate courses.
3. Eligibility:
Ø Researcher, practitioner or administrative official specialized in the areas of politics, economics, law,
information and civil society.
Ø Candidates should be between the ages of 30 – 40 years, with either Japanese nationality or
permanent/ long-term resident status.
Ø Candidates should have a strong desire to serve the public interest and sufficient proficiency in the language
they will take their fellowships in.
Ø Upon returning from their fellowships, fellows are expected to pursue a career in their specialization with a
connection to the international community. Administrative officials must return and work at their former post
for at least 3 years.
Ø Candidates are required to be residing in Japan at the time of application.
4. Duration: Maximum 2 years
5. Scholarship: Full scholarship, which includes tuition, monthly living allowance and travel expense. The
scholarship will provide additional funding for living allowance and travel expense if the scholar should have a
dependent family member.
6. Number of Fellows : No prefixed number (6 Fellows selected for Year 2012-2013)
7. Selection Process: Selection Committee makes selection based on applicant information and interview.

2. 8. 2012 Selection Schedule
2012 Mid April Call for Applications
July 31st Deadline for submission of application
Sept. Preliminary Selection: All complete application packages are reviewed by the
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Selection Committee and a short-list is developed.
Final Interview and Selection: Short-listed applicants are interviewed at The
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Nippon Foundation. Selection will be made based on the application and
interview.
End of Sept. Applicants selected will be notified by mail.
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October ~ Selected fellows will apply to their chosen universities or institution to either
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enroll into a graduate/training program or attain a seat as a visiting researcher.
Selected fellows will be formally recognized as The Nippon Foundation
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International Fellowship Fellow after he or she is able to obtain an official
admission approval from the relevant institution.
The Nippon Foundation and fellows will sign an official written agreement.
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2013 April ~ ・
Fellows will start to leave for their chosen universities once all required
documents are completed and submitted to The Nippon Foundation.
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All fellows must start their fellowships at their chosen foreign institution by
September 2013.
The Nippon Foundation
The Nippon Foundation was established in 1962, as a non-profit philanthropic organization active in Japan and around the
world. Initially our efforts focused largely on the maritime and shipping fields, but since then the range of activities has
expanded to education, social welfare, public health, and other fields—carried out in more than 100 countries to date.
Together with our more than 20 partner organizations in Japan and worldwide we are funding and assisting such
initiatives to realize a more peaceful and prosperous global society.
Related articles: http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/eng/current/New_Fellowship_Program.html
http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/inter/fellowship.html (Text in Japanese)
Further information about The Nippon Foundation: http://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/eng/who/index.html