Open Call for Summer Program for Aspiring Southeast Asian Scholars in Japanese Studies 2026

Open Call for Summer Program for Aspiring Southeast Asian Scholars in Japanese Studies 2026

What is Japanese Studies? For aspiring scholars who are expected to play a key role in shaping the future of Japanese Studies, it is essential to reflect on and explore a variety of answers to this question. The Japan Foundation, in collaboration with the Japanese Studies Association in Southeast Asia (JSA-ASEAN) and Department of Japanese Studies, National University of Singapore, will invite Master’s and Doctoral students (preferably those who have not yet advanced to Ph.D. candidacy)from any fields of Japanese Studies within the ASEAN region, to join a short-term intensive summer program in Singapore and Japan. The program is designed not only to provide foundational training through lectures, but also to offer opportunities for collaborative learning, discussions and group works.

 

OBJECTIVES

• Acquire essential skills required for researchers in area studies
• Learn how to design a research project and collaborate with peers
• Gain experience in participating in an international academic conference
• Deepen understanding of Japanese culture through a two-week educational field trip in Japan

 

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Date/Venue	Phase 1: Orientation: 2nd and 3rd week of June, 2026 (TBA) Venue: Online Phase 2: Lectures and Workshops in Singapore: June 25 (Thu.)- July 2 (Thu.), 2026 Venue: Department of Japanese Studies, National University of Singapore Phase 3: Field trip to Japan: July 2 (Thu.)-16 (Thu.), 2026 Venue: Japan Foundation Head office, etc.
Language	English and Japanese (mainly English)
Support	Round-trip international airline tickets (discount economy class, most direct and economical route) from your country to Singapore, Japan, and back to your country, Domestic transportation and accommodation in Singapore and Japan, Per diem (No program fees are required)
Detailed Program Contents (Tentative) Phase 1: Online l   Orientation and networking session with program participants Phase 2: In Singapore l   Formation of groups for collaborative work l   Lectures and workshops about collaborative research and what it means to be a Japanese Studies scholar l   “Japanese Studies Showcase”; Lectures by NUS and Southeast Asian scholars l   Basic training in research design, interviewing skills, etc Phase 3: In Japan l   Learn how to navigate your career path as researchers l   Visits to Japanese academic institutions including National Diet Library l   Participation in an international conference with opportunities to interact with students and researchers l   Group work on a shared chosen topic, mock panel session, and opportunities to conduct individual research, etc.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT

Applicants must fulfill all the following criteria:

• Hold nationality or permanent residency in a Southeast Asian country;
• Be a Master’s student intending to pursue a Ph.D, or a Doctoral student (preferably before Ph.D. candidacy) eager to build interdisciplinary research network;
• Be able to take lectures and engage in academic discussions in English (TOEIC(L&R)800 / TOEFL iBT 85 / IELTS6.0 or higher, or equivalent)
• Be able to engage in intensive academic and field activities required throughout the program both in Singapore and in Japan;

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the following documents to the Japan Foundation, Yangon office via E-mail (japanesestudies.jfyg@jpf.go.jp) by February 20, 2026 (Friday):

If a Japan Foundation overseas office is located in your country of residence

☞ Please contact the nearest Japan Foundation overseas office.

If your country has no JF overseas office

☞ Please contact the Japan Foundation head office.  E-mail ( r1_wa@jpf.go.jp)

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Recommendation Letter(Japanese or English):

To be filled out and signed by the applicant’s advisor at his/her affiliated educational institution (JF designated Format)

2. Application Form （Japanese or English）:

To be filled out by the applicant (JF designated Format)

Selected applicants will be notified by the end of March.

Some applicants may be invited to attend an online interview.

 

(Attatched file of the Recommendation Letter of the Student）
(Attached file of the Application Form)

 

Inquiries

Japanese Studies Team

The Japan Foundation, Yangon

E-mail:　 japanesestudies.jfyg@jpf.go.jp

 

Related Information

Summer Program for Aspiring Southeast Asian Scholars in Japanese Studies 2025 | Two-way Intellectual and Cultural Exchange | Partnership to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation: WA Project 2.0