"JSPS External Review Report" was issued.(PDF File 1.22MB)

each discipline. In the case of PD and DC2, around 80-90% of applicantsare accepted to the program without interviews, but because it is difficultto evaluate DC1 candidates by research performance, all candidates arerequired to undergo interviews.(vi) Interviews are held in early December, with each candidate given 10minutes before sub-committees set up for each subject area andcomprising committee members and a few experts. The candidate spendsthe first four minutes explaining his or her research results to date andfurther research plans, then responds to panel questions for theremaining time. The second round of successful applicants are determinedfrom the interviews, as well as wait-listed applicants. Interview resultsare notified in early January to applicants and their host institutes.(b) Announcement of resultsResults are notified to the applicants themselves, as well as their hostinstitutions, noting that the applicants has been successful, unsuc cessful,or placed on the waiting list.Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research Abroad(a) Review system/process(i) Research fellows are selected through review of their writtenapplications and interviews conducted by Selection Committee forPostdoctoral and Other Fellowships comprising researchers drawn fromthe frontline of Japanese academia (up to 40 members, with around 1,230experts on call).(ii) A three-person panel of Selection Committee for Postdoctoral andOther Fellowships members and experts is designated to review eachwritten application according to the particular discipline in which theapplicant is engaged. The three panel members must be drawn from threedifferent institutions.(iii) Selection of research fellows is based on the following criteria: (a)that the applicant has the potential to become an outstanding researcherable to bear the future of science as a result of his or her researchexperience abroad; (b) that the applicant’s research plans are concrete andthat full prior negotiations have taken place between the applicant andhost researchers; (c) that a balance is maintained among applicants’specialist areas and research institutions.170