CSEAS Fellowship – Kyoto University, Japan

Since 1975, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at Kyoto University has been running a prestigious visiting scholarship program to promote multidisciplinary research on Southeast Asia. To date, over 450 leading researchers have participated. The program welcomes not only academics but also government officials, journalists, librarians, NGO workers, and IT specialists with a connection to Southeast Asian studies.

Fellows are based in Kyoto — Japan’s ancient cultural capital — and gain access to world-class scholarly resources, seminars, and a thriving international academic community.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be productive scholars of high reputation and under 65 years of age at the time of appointment (those over 65 may be considered only if outstanding). This fellowship is not available to individuals currently pursuing graduate degrees or post-doctoral studies. Only experienced librarians may apply for the library position. Scholars who have previously held a CSEAS fellowship must wait six years after completion before reapplying.

The program sets no nationality restrictions — it is open to scholars worldwide. However, the research focus must relate to Southeast Asian studies or comparative regional perspectives. Turkmen scholars with relevant research profiles are eligible to apply.

Benefits:
Successful applicants receive an appropriate stipend to cover international travel and living expenses in Kyoto, as well as research funds to facilitate their work. Funds are also allocated for domestic travel within Japan, subject to government regulations. Visiting Research Scholars are considered employees of Kyoto University for the duration of their fellowship.

Beyond the financial support, fellows benefit from:

• Access to CSEAS’s extensive library and research databases
• Participation in conferences, seminars, and workshops
• Opportunity to publish in Southeast Asian Studies journal and the Kyoto Review of Southeasat Asia
• The invigorating atmosphere of scenic Kyoto, the main repository of Japan’s cultural treasures

Applicants must submit their applications via our online form.

• a)A completed online application formOnline Application
• Online applications must have the following documents attached separately.
  Please send the files in PDF format by E-mail (grants@cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp)
• b)A curriculum vitae(must not exceed 5 pages and must include a list of all major publications)
  c)A research plan for the fellowship term (Please write a concise overview of your research project for your stay at CSEAS within 2 pages. Please download and use this form. Please use double space and include paragraph descriptions.)
  d)Two Recommendation Letters (Applicants must also contact their respective referees and request them to send their letters of recommendations to CSEAS via email. The letter should be written in their institution’s letterhead.)

Duration & Available Slots

Fellowships last between 3 to 6 months, and 14 fellowships are awarded annually on a competitive basis. For 2026, six slots were available with start dates in May, June, July, August, September, and November.

Deadline: 30 April, 2026.

Source: https://kyoto.cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/education-2/visiting-research-and-guest-scholars/