Deadline: depends on the country
Open to: intellectuals (scholars, researchers, professionals) in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa
Scholarship: round-trip air ticket, allowance (accommodation, meals, local transport and research expenses) and insurance
The Fellowship Program for Intellectual Exchange 2011-2012 is designed to provide selected intellectuals in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa with an opportunity to visit Japan and conduct their own individual research on a chosen topic as well as networking/exchange activities. The program thus seeks to assist in the development of a new generation of Eastern European, Middle Eastern and African intellectual leaders who are familiar with Japan through established individual and institutional networks and are able to incorporate topics/elements related to Japan to their own field of research in future.
Research topics
The content must include surveys and/or individual research and/or collaborative research, in the fields of either the humanities or the social sciences. The research topic must be one that is appropriate for visiting Japan (i.e., there should be a reason the fellow wishes to conduct research in Japan).
The topic must fulfill at least one of these requirements:
1. It must incorporate Japanese issues into your area of specialization.
2. It must be of mutual interest to Japan – Eastern Europe (including Russia, Central Asia and Caucasus), or Japan – Middle East, or Japan – Africa.
3. It must be an international topic (global issue), related to Japan.
Eligibility
1. Scholars, researchers (except undergraduate and graduate students), journalists and professionals who are engaged in research activities in the fields of the humanities or the social sciences
2. Individuals with adequate English-language proficiency (Please attach a certificate showing the applicant’s English-language ability, if you have one.)
3. Applicants who are under 45 years old at the point of April 1, 2011 (as a general rule), and who are nationals or permanent residents with an active academic/professional affiliation in any of the following countries: Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa
4. Applicants who can find their own affiliated institutions and advisors in Japan
5. Applicants who intend to take Japanese-language training courses, industry training courses or courses in traditional culture (e.g., flower arranging, karate) are not eligible. Religious and political activities and training for governmental officials are not eligible as well.
Scholarship
Period
The fellows are required to start their fellowship within the period from May 20, 2011, to March 25, 2012. The duration of the fellowship must be between 30 days and 60 days.
* It is advised, however, that fellows should avoid visiting Japan from December 20, 2011 through January 6, 2012, because meeting and travel arrangements are virtually impossible.
Benefits
1. Round-trip, discount economy-class air ticket (PEX).
2. Allowance to cover accommodation, meals, local transportation, research expenses and other incidentals (17,000 Japanese yen per day).
3. Insurance: The insurance coverage provided will be in accordance with the general guidelines set forth by the Foundation.
4. Domestic Transportation: Domestic transportation expenses within Japan will be provided only when a Fellow needs to travel no less than 100 km from the airport to his/her site of research.
5. The Japan Foundation will directly pay the supervisor fee (JPY 50,000) to the academic advisor.
6. The Japan Foundation will directly pay the assistant fee (JPY 30,000) to the assistant to the fellow. Please note that the need for an assistant will be determined by the academic advisor.
Application
An application package should include the following documents:
1. Fully Completed Application Form
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of publications (optional)
4. One Letter of Recommendation
5. Letter of Affiliation (sent directly from your academic advisor in Japan to the Japan Foundation Headquarters)
An application package (except for the Letter of Affiliation. see below) must be sent through the Japanese Diplomatic Office in your country (*For applicants in Russia, Hungary and Egypt, the Japan Foundation Office instead). An application package directly sent to the Japan Foundation Headquarters will not be
accepted.
Contact
Program Secretariat
The Japan Foundation
Japanese Studies and Intellectual Exchange Department
Europe, Middle East and Africa Section
Attention: Takuya Sasaki (Mr.), Program Coordinator
Telephone: +81-3-5369-6071 FAX: +81-3-5369-6041
E-mail: Takuya_Sasaki@jpf.go.jp
Please read the Open call fellowship2010_annai.
