Japan:Japan Foundation Fellowship for Intellectual Exchange 2011/2012

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.

Eligibility of Applicants

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, or who have practical experience in research, media, or non-profit organizations. In this fellowship, the applicantfs specialization should not be Japanese studies, but he/she should aim to conduct research that is related to Japan.
2. Individuals with adequate English-language proficiency to take part in collaborative interaction and to conduct research in Japan (Japanese-language ability is not assessed. Please attach a certificate showing the applicantfs 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]Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Republic of Kosovo, Kyrgyz, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan [Middle East]Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen [Africa]FAngola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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.
6. Religious and political activities and training for governmental officials are not eligible as well.

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.

Examples of topics are given below (these are only examples; research topics are NOT limited to these):
Environment and Development, Peace and Security, Social order/Law enforcement, Globalization of the economy and international cooperation, Corporate Social Responsibility, Education and human resource development, Energy issues, Gender issues, Population
problem, etc.

Expected Number of Fellows : Approx. 20

Fellowship 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.

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