Japan Science and Technology Agency (SAKURA SCIENCE) - Open Application Program

To date, more than 33,000 young people have been invited to Japan on this program. This program has received high praise from universities, research institutes, municipalities and private companies in and outside of Japan. However, in order to cope with various circumstances surrounding science and technology and rapidly evolving international trends, and further to develop the program, we have decided to expand the target of our invitations to all countries and regions in principle, as well as to cover the humanities and the social sciences. Furthermore, we plan to respond to the global spread of COVID-19 and the advent of a digital society. We will also actively engage in online exchanges. 2021 is a major transitional period for the Sakura Science Program. It is also considered to be a developmental period.

The foundation of all of our activities is to build trust and deepen mutual understanding based on the interaction between people. We are convinced that the Sakura Science Program will make a significant contribution toward that goal. We strongly hope that young people around the world who have great hope and want to challenge the future will find out about Japan through the Sakura Science Program and will use this opportunity to take a big leap forward.

Purposes of Sakura Science Exchange Program

The Sakura Science Program’s objectives include:

• To support the development of talented human resources from overseas who have the potential to contribute to innovation in science and technology.
• To Accelerate the international brain cycle.
• To promote continuous collaboration, cooperation and interaction between Japanese educational and research institutes and overseas ones.
• To strengthen good relationship between Japan and other countries and regions that will help science and technology diplomacy.

Open Application Program

Due to the spread of Covid-19 and the policy of Japanese government, JST has not been implementing invitation programs.

Three Kinds of Open Application Programs

• Course A: Science and Technology Experience Course
  Foreign youth participate in science and technology exchange programs arranged by host organizations in Japan. The period of stay is limited to 7 days. The number of people who can be invited is limited to ten per sending organization, and 15 in case of the invitation from multiple sending organizations (supervisors are excluded in both cases).
• Course B: Collaborative Research Activities Course
  Foreign youth participate in short term joint research programs arranged by host organizations in Japan. The period of stay is limited to 3 weeks. The number of people who can be invited is basically limited to ten (supervisors are excluded).
• Course C: Science and Technology Training Course
  Foreign youth participate in converged training to acquire specific technique and skills related to science and technology arranged by the host organizations. The period of stay is limited to 10 days. The number of people who can be invited is limited to 15 per country or region, and 25 from multiple countries and regions (supervisors are excluded in both cases).

Application Calendar

During the Application period in fiscal year 2024, there are 3 deadlines to screen the application documents. Schedule for FY2024 is as below. Please note that this schedule is subject to change.