The Takeda Science Foundation Fellowship Program supports overseas medical doctors and researchers who undertake research or clinical training at universities, research institutes and hospitals in Japan. The FY2027 Grant II application has closed, while the Foundation has already confirmed the FY2028 Grant II application window from 1 March to 16 July 2027.
Takeda Science Foundation Fellowship Program
The Foundation provides international medical doctors and researchers with opportunities to carry out research or clinical training in Japan. Eligible host environments include universities, research institutes and hospitals.
The programme covers a broad range of basic medicine, life-science and clinical-medicine fields and has supported international researchers for decades.
Grant I and Grant II
| Grant I — applicants | Researchers from Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Korea, China, Indonesia and Vietnam |
|---|---|
| Grant I — application route | Apply through the selection committee or secretariat in the relevant country/region |
| Grant II — applicants | Eligible foreign MD or PhD researchers of other nationalities |
| Grant II — application route | A Japan-based mentor initiates and submits the application according to Foundation instructions |
The Foundation expects to support roughly 50 international medical doctors and researchers in total across the two routes, subject to annual approval.
Eligibility
Current Foundation guidance states that the programme is for medical and life-science researchers undertaking research or clinical training in Japan.
- Grant II applicants should hold an MD or PhD in a medical or life-science field.
- Graduate students are not eligible for Grant II.
- Grant I eligibility is administered through the designated country or regional selection committees.
- Applicants must satisfy the Foundation’s restrictions on concurrent grants, income and residence status for the relevant fiscal-year call.
Fellowship Duration
| Grant I | 3, 6, 12 or 24 months depending on the research or clinical-training plan |
|---|---|
| Grant II — clinical training | 3, 6 or 12 months |
| Grant II — research | 6, 12 or 24 months |
How to Prepare for FY2028
- Confirm whether you fall under Grant I or Grant II.
- For Grant I, contact the selection committee in your country or region for its local application timetable.
- For Grant II, identify a suitable Japan-based mentor in advance.
- Prepare your academic CV, research or clinical-training plan, degree evidence and host information.
- Review the final FY2028 rules when the Foundation releases the application documents.
- For Grant II, plan for the confirmed application window of 1 March–16 July 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Takeda Science Foundation FY2027 fellowship still open?
No. The FY2027 Grant II application deadline was 17 July 2026.
When does the FY2028 Grant II application open?
The Foundation states that applications will be accepted from 1 March to 16 July 2027.
Can researchers outside the seven designated countries apply?
Yes. Eligible researchers of other nationalities may be considered under Grant II through a Japan-based mentor.
Are graduate students eligible for Grant II?
No. The Foundation’s current Grant II guidance states that graduate students are ineligible.
Official Sources
| FY2027 Grant II | Closed |
|---|---|
| FY2028 application period | 1 March–16 July 2027 |
| Host country | Japan |
| Last verified | 4 October 2026 |
