The Canon Foundation in Europe grants up to 15 Fellowships to highly qualified European and Japanese (PhD or Postdoc) researchers. Fellowships are awarded for periods of minimum three months and maximum one year, regardless of discipline or existing employment positions.
Annually, the Canon Foundation in Europe grants up to 15 Fellowships to highly qualified European and Japanese researchers. European Fellows are expected to pursue a period of research in Japan whereas Japanese Fellows are expected to do their research in Europe. Canon Foundation Fellowships are for a minimum period of three months up to maximum of one year and are free to choose their host institutes and hosts in Japan. The same freedom is given to Japanese Canon Fellows coming to Europe. Canon Foundation Research Fellowships may be applied for when an agreement on co-operation and on a research plan has been reached between the guest researcher and the proposed host institution.
Applications can also be submitted by members of commercial, industrial, governmental or professional organisations. Canon Foundation Research Fellowships are open to Europeans and Japanese nationals. Europeans must want to do their research in Japan and Japanese must want to do their research in Europe. All Europeans are eligible to apply (including Israel, Turkey, Balkan and Baltic countries). Applicants should have obtained at least a Master's or PhD degree within the last ten years of applying to the Canon Foundation. We will also consider candidates who obtained their qualification more than ten years ago as long as they provide further supporting information in their application. Please note that priority is given to applicants going to Europe and Japan for the first time. The Canon Foundation support all fields of research. There are no limitations or restrictions. Applicants do not have to be currently enrolled or employed at the time of applying.
Scholarship value
The financial support for Research Fellows can reach up to EUR 30,000 per year and pro-rata for different periods. The Canon Foundation gives priority to those who plan to travel to Europe or Japan rather than prolong a current stay. The research fellow can decide what costs the grant can be used for. Examples are: living costs, travel, insurance, research costs, books, etc. There are no restrictions.
Eligible level and Eligible Countries
Countries eligible for this scholarship
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
Application requirements
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:
- Europeans should have permanent citizenship in the country;
- Applicants should have obtained at least a Master's degree within the last ten years of applying to the Canon Foundation;
- Have successfully completed a PhD or Master’s degree no longer than ten years ago. However,candidates who obtained their qualification more than ten years ago as long as they provide further supporting information in their application are considered;
- Priority is given to applicants going to Europe and Japan for the first time;
- Have a Japanese nationality or permanent resident of Japan;
- Hold a doctorate or at least a Master’s degree;
Selection
The Selection Committee's final decisions will be emailed to applicants before the middle of December of that year.
How to apply
Applications should be made through our online application form. After registering, you will be directed to the application form. As part of the application procedure, you will be asked to upload the following:
- Your research plan including an estimate of total costs(maximum 1 A4 sheet-2 sides)*
- a confirmation from your host institute that research or work facilities will be made available to you
- 2 reference letters from 2 persons who are in a position to comment on your academic or professional qualifications and on your previous work. The 2 referees can be different to the ones on your CV.
- Your Curriculum Vitae*
- Your highest academic degree or professional qualification obtained*
- 1 passport size photograph of yourself*
- A list of your academic publications or professional achievements in chronological order containing information on all authors, place and year of publication and page references.
*These documents MUST be uploaded at least before you can submit your application (1) your research plan (2) your Curriculum Vitae (3) your Doctoral/Degree or highest qualification/certificate (4) Passport-sized photograph. Read more about how to apply.
Success rate
The average success rate is around 10%. Funding decisions are based on the quality of the research plan, the reference letters and the host confirmation. The success rate is not influenced by gender, age and nationality. Between 1990 - 2016, a total of 363 Canon Research Fellowships were granted. 221 European Fellows and 142 Japanese Fellows were sponsored. European Fellows come from some 27 countries.