JIRCAS Visiting Research Fellowship in Thailand & Japan 2026

The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) is inviting applications for its Visiting Research Fellowship Program FY2026. This programme gives researchers from developing countries the chance to conduct advanced agricultural research in Japan or Thailand, under the direct supervision of JIRCAS scientists.

Here is everything you need to know about the programme, in one place. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here

What Is the JIRCAS Visiting Research Fellowship?

The JIRCAS Visiting Research Fellowship Program is designed to accelerate scientific research and advance the expertise of nominated researchers from developing countries. Selected fellows work on real research projects covering agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, under the guidance of experienced JIRCAS researchers, either at JIRCAS headquarters in Tsukuba, Japan, or at the JIRCAS project site in Thailand.

By the end of the fellowship, researchers gain advanced technical skills and hands on research experience that they carry back to their home institutions.

What JIRCAS Offers

This fellowship is a fully funded opportunity with strong financial and practical support. Successful candidates receive the following.

• A round trip economy class airline ticket to Japan or Thailand
• A daily living allowance of JPY 7,700
• A housing allowance based on government housing regulations
• Access to accommodation, including the Tsukuba International House in Japan
• Overseas travel accident insurance covering injury, sickness, and damage during the fellowship
• One year of direct supervision from experienced JIRCAS scientists

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, check that you meet all the requirements below.

• Must be a citizen of a developing country
• Must be currently employed at a research organisation or university, actively working in agriculture, forestry, or fisheries research
• Must be willing to return to the home country after the fellowship and continue research at the same institute or university
• Must hold at least an MSc degree in a field related to socio-economics, natural sciences, or technology
• Must be able to work exclusively on the chosen research theme
• Must be in good health
• Must have an adequate command of English and or Japanese
• Must be endorsed by the authority of the home institution
• Applicants for Theme 5 must be based in Thailand, or eligible to stay in Thailand for one year

Also Check: Research Scholarships at University of Melbourne, Australia

Research Themes Open for FY2026

JIRCAS is recruiting fellows across five research themes this cycle, including:

• BNI Release Mechanisms in Maize
• Methanogenic Microbial Consortia for Biomethane Production
• Mungbean Emergence Under Soil Crust Conditions
• Phosphate Solubilizing Rhizosphere Microorganisms
• Sugarcane Responses Under Multi Stress Conditions

Themes 1 to 4 are based in Tsukuba, Japan, while Theme 5 is based in Thailand. All fellowships run for one year, starting in November 2026.

Also Check: Congressional Fellowship Program in United States (Fully funded)

How to Apply: The Recruitment Process

The application process has three main steps.

Step 1: Register Your Application

Fill out the official online registration form on the JIRCAS website before the deadline.

Step 2: Confirmation and Guidance

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from JIRCAS with guidance on submitting the required documents.

Step 3: Submit Required Documents

Send the required documents to JIRCAS by email, including a summary of your ongoing research, a summary of your proposed research, a list of your publications, an endorsement letter from your institution, your CV, a recent photo, and copies of your three most relevant publications.

Good to Know

Registration and document submission must be completed by August 31, 2026, at 5 PM Japan Standard Time. Applicants will receive an email notification of the results by September 24, 2026. Inquiries about the research themes themselves will not be answered, so review each theme carefully before applying.

Also Check: Biozentrum PhD Fellowships Program in Switzerland

Where to Apply

Visit the official JIRCAS Fellowship page to view full details and submit your application.