JSPS Strategic Program for Researchers from India

Program Outline

1. Program Outline

This fellowship program is aimed at capacity building and human resource development in frontier areas of Science & Technology, developing connectivity and new networks between the next generation of scientific leadership in India and Japan, and promoting cultural fraternity and immersion through people-to-people ties. This program has been carried out in cooperation with the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) ,based on agreed guidelines with Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India (DST).

2. Target Fields

Fields of the sciences

3. Fellow Eligibility

(1) postdocs and/or scientists/faculty member working in a regular capacity in a UGC (Universities Grants Commission) recognized University/Deemed University/Academic Institute or National Research & Development Laboratory/Institute, with a PhD in Science (received within the past 6 years),actively engaged in research in the related area.
Minimum academic qualifications: Candidates on the Indian side should be a
PhD in Science (received within the past 6 years). Applicant should be actively engaged in research in the related area.
(2) Persons who have been accepted in advance by a Japanese host researcher.
* Overseas researchers who have already been selected under JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Overseas Researchers (i.e., Standard, Pathway to University Position in Japan, Short-term for North American and European Researchers, Strategic Program) are not eligible for this program.
* JSPS does not introduce host researchers to candidates.

4. Host Researcher/Institution Eligibility

The host researcher must be a researcher who is employed full-time or classified as being employed full-time at a university or research institution that is eligible to apply to MEXT for funding under the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific-Research Program (Kakenhi).

Eligible host institutions include the following:
(1) Universities and inter-university research institutes
(2) The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-affiliated institutions that conduct scientific research
(3) Other institutions designated by the Minister of MEXT
* Full-time employment classification is determined by regulations of the host institutions.

5. Number of Scheduled Selections

Up to 10

6. Period of Tenure and Arrival in Japan

(1) Tenure under the program is from 2 to 6 months.
(2) Fellows are to arrive in Japan (start their research) by 31 March of the said fiscal year.

7. Support from JSPS

Monthly allowance: \362,000
* As for the conditions on Indian side, please contact INSA.

8. Obligation of the Fellow and Host Researcher

The host researchers, fellows and host institution should bear the following ten points in mind when applying for the program, and should observe them if selected for a fellowship. After selection, they will be expected to observe the regulations and procedures stipulated in the Program Guidelines for the JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Strategic Program). If either the fellow or host should fail to do so, the fellowship may be withdrawn, allowances (including airfares) stopped, and already-paid allowances (including research grants) reclaimed.

(1)	So as to allow the smooth progress of the fellow's research in Japan, before submitting an application, the host researcher shall fully inform the candidate of conditions at the host laboratory, including his/her status under the fellowship, and will ascertain the candidate's acknowledgement to accept those conditions.
(2)	Hosts shall, in cooperation with their Institutions, promptly provide the lab space, facilities and equipment that Fellows will need to begin their research activities. Hosts shall provide Fellows with pre-arrival assistance including in visa application and other necessary processing, securing domicile, and consultation on daily life in Japan.
(3)	During fellowship tenures, the host is advised not to commit such acts of discrimination or abuse with regard to his/her fellow, and should be particularly careful of what s/he says or does cannot be interpreted as committing such acts. Should a host researcher be found guilty by the host institution of violating a candidate's or fellow's human rights, s/he shall be disqualified for a period of five years from hosting JSPS fellows under the program, the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Foreign Researchers, and the RONPAKU (Dissertation PhD) Program.
(4)	During their tenures, fellows shall not, either in or outside the host institution, infringe in any way on the human rights of others, including racial or gender discrimination or other forms of abuse.
(5)	As a rule, fellows shall stay in Japan continuously during the tenure of their fellowships and concentrate on their research at the host institution. Fellows may, however, suspend their fellowships for the purpose of childbearing or infant nursing. Fellow may not engage in other work, neither paid nor unpaid, during their tenures. Fellows may not receive any remuneration for their research activities carried out under the JSPS Fellowship Program for Overseas Researchers.
(6)	The host researchers and fellows shall follow the rules established by the host institution and JSPS prohibiting acts of research misconduct, e.g., fabricating or falsifying research results.
(7)	The fellow and host researcher must submit a research report using separately prescribed format.
(8)	When presenting or publishing the content or results of research conducted under the fellowship, the JSPS fellowship should be acknowledged.
(9)	The host institution shall inform both the host researcher and the fellow of the rules that it and JSPS have established to prevent research misconduct and misuse of research funds and of the penalties for violations.
(10)	The host shall take first responsibility for the fellow's actions, so must be proactive in preventing any discrimination, misconduct or misuse on the part of the fellow during his/her tenure. If any such problems should occur, the host will endeavor to resolve them.
	* Regarding paragraph (6) above, please see the separate document "Regarding the Appropriate Use of Research Funds"

9. Handling of Personal Information

With regard to personal information contained in application materials, it shall be strictly controlled in accordance with law to protect personal information held by administrative institutions and JSPS's rule of protect personal information.
Using personal information in implementing JSPS programs, including the provision of such information to private companies commissioned to conduct date processing management, JSPS shall observe these laws and regulations.
If selected for a fellowship, fellows should note that their name, title, nationality, affiliated research institution, research themes, Japanese host institution, name/title of their host researcher, and research reports may be given public access. Fellow will also be asked to participate in surveys aimed at improving the fellowship program.

10. Notes

(1)	Should JSPS determine that any information in an application to be falsified, plagiarized or otherwise flowed, the applications will be rejected or, if already awarded, the fellowship withdrawn.
(2)	JSPS does not support any research project related to military affairs.

How to apply

1. Application Procedure

Overseas researchers are selected under the program based on INSA's nominations. INSA issues application calls, receives and screens applications, and makes nominations to JSPS. For details, please refer to the webpage of INSA.

2. Notification of selection results

JSPS notifies the selectees via INSA and reports the selections to the host institutions.