This program was established to assist promising and highly qualified young foreign researchers wishing to conduct research in Japan. It is aimed at providing opportunities for such researchers to, under the guidance of their hosts, conduct cooperative research with leading research groups in universities and other Japanese institutions, thereby permitting them to advance their own research while stimulating Japanese academic circles, particularly young Japanese researchers, through close collaboration in scientific activities. Such collaboration is also intended to advance scientific research in the counterpart countries. (Fellowships are awarded for a period of 12 to 24 months.) Two application channels are provided.

This fellowship program was launched this year to provide special short-term quotas for North America and European researchers to experience firsthand the research and living environment in Japan.