US-Japan Program Postdoctoral Fellowships Grant

US-Japan Program Postdoctoral Fellowships Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University
Amount: US $66,000
Last Updated: October 30, 2025

Summary

The US-Japan Program Postdoctoral Fellowships offer a unique opportunity for scholars focusing on US-Japan relations and Japanese domestic issues. Candidates must hold a PhD in Political Science, Public Policy, or International Relations, obtained in 2021 or later. The fellowship includes teaching a course on Japanese politics and engaging in collaborative research on technology's impact on Japan's global role. Applications are due by December 30, 2025, and selected fellows must have their PhD certified by July 31, 2026.

Overview

NOTE: Recommendation letters are due by December 30, 2025. US-Japan Program Postdoctoral Fellowships A few postdoctoral fellowships are offered each year by the Program on US-Japan Relations for the study of issues in US-Japan relations, Japan's relations with other countries, and domestic issues that bear on Japan’s international behavior. RESPONSIBILITIES:The Visiting Fellow is expected to reside in the Cambridge area during the appointment term and teach one course on Japanese politics, political economy, or international relations, either in the fall or spring semester. The Visiting Fellow will also be expected to give a presentation at the weekly seminar series sponsored by the Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, and participate in Program activities. The Visiting Fellow’s course title and content will be coordinated with the relevant department. The Visiting Fellow is also expected to collaborate with a team of scholars and graduate students working on the grant project theme, “Technology, Society, and Geopolitics: Japan in a Globalized Economy.” This collaboration will include coordination with our resident associates who represent a range of government practitioners and scholars to bring together common expertise for seminar discussions and workshops. Ideally, the successful applicant’s research agenda includes questions about how technology has transformed their area of expertise relating to contemporary Japan from comparative and global perspectives.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must have received their PhD in 2021 or later, in Political Science, Public Policy, or International Relations with a major component of their research focused on Japan. Those who are selected to receive fellowships must have a Registrar-certified PhD degree by July 31, 2026.