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

(3) Research Fellowship for Young ScientistsReport on future state of programJSPS’s Research Fellowship for Young Scientists is an excellent support program complete withall the necessary procedures from selection processing to funds distribution. In August 2001, a committeeorganized to review the program submitted a report titled “Regarding the JSPS ResearchFellowship for Young Scientists,” which contained valuable recommendations for program enhancements.In response to the committee’s advice that positive steps be taken in those directions, someof the recommendations have already been implemented under a new program, while adjustmentsare also being made in the way the current program is carried out.Fostering especially outstanding young researchersBased on the above-titled program report, the “Postdoctoral Fellows [SPD]” program was newlyestablished in 2002. As a program for fostering elite young researchers, it deserves high marks. It isunderstood that only a few outstanding researchers are selected each year under this program. Giventhis selectiveness, the fellows are expected to achieve a high degree of self-development as the leadersof research groups. Nevertheless, as the awardees only comprise a very small percentage ofJapan’s postdoctoral researchers, consideration should be given to increasing the number of fellowsunder the program.Conducting research at institutions other than that of registryAs noted above, increased mobility is important in fostering young researchers. From the newFY2003 program selectees, fellows (except for those recognized to have special circumstances andgiven wavers) will be required to choose a research group other than the one at their graduate schoolof record to conduct postdoctoral research under the fellowship. This requirement is highlyappraised.(4) Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research AbroadUnder this program for fostering Japanese researchers, fellowships are provided to outstandingyoung researchers who will conduct research at overseas research institutions for a period of twoyears. The fellowship covers travel expenses, a stipend and a research grant. The program ispraised for including all fields from the humanities and social sciences through the natural sciencesand for its high degree of flexibility in allowing fellows to do research in any country of their choosing.However, the number of researchers currently awarded these fellowships is far less than thosewho desire them. As overseas research is important in building their careers, the young researchersshould be awarded fellowships in greater numbers under this program.One difficult problem experienced by young researchers going abroad to conduct research isuncertainty over whether they will be able to find a desirable research position upon their return. At39