Restart Postdoctoral (RPD) Research Fellowships 2026 in Tokyo

Applications are open for JSPS’s Restart Postdoctoral (RPD) Research Fellowship. This programme helps scientists resume research after childbirth or childcare leave. RPD is restricted to Japanese citizens or permanent residents of Japan. Non-Japanese researchers without permanent residency are not eligible.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
• Eligibility: Japanese citizens or permanent residents only
• Purpose: Resuming research after childbirth or childcare leave
• Recent Changes: Relaxed reapplication rules; new childbirth support grant added
• Application Deadline: Varies by host institution, typically around mid-April
• Since Launch: Programme running since fiscal year 2006

Focus Areas

• Seamless research resumption after parental leave
• Interdisciplinary exchange among RPD fellows
• Peer support around childbirth and childcare challenges
• Long-term contribution to Japanese academic research

About the Fellowship

RPD supports scientists who paused research for childbirth or caregiving. JSPS has run annual Research Exchange Meetings for fellows since 2007. Fellows share experiences and discuss balancing research with family life. Recent reforms let fellows reapply separately for each child.

What Fellows Receive

Fellows receive standard JSPS postdoctoral research fellowship support. A dedicated grant now covers financial gaps during fellowship suspension periods. Fellows also join interdisciplinary meetings and peer support networks. Former fellows mentor newer RPD recipients throughout the programme.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must already be Japanese citizens or Japan permanent residents. Candidates need a doctoral degree and a genuine childcare-related career pause. Applications go through a Japanese host research institution, not directly to JSPS. Reapplication is now permitted separately for each child.

Required Materials

Applicants apply through their host institution’s internal JSPS process. Exact documents follow JSPS’s standard postdoctoral fellowship requirements. Host institutions often set earlier internal deadlines than JSPS’s own date.

How to Apply

Contact your host institution for its internal RPD deadline and process.

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Conclusion

This fellowship offers genuine, structured support for researchers restarting after parental leave. Its eligibility is limited to Japanese citizens and permanent residents specifically. International researchers should instead explore JSPS’s separate postdoctoral fellowships for foreign scholars.

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