The Slavic-Eurasian Research Center (SRC) of Hokkaido University Foreign Visitors Fellowship Program for 2027-2028

Sapporo, Japan

6 May 2027 — 17 March 2028

Deadline for applications – 7 August 2026

The Slavic-Eurasian Research Center (SRC) of Hokkaido University is pleased to announce the 49th round of the SRC’s Foreign Visitors Fellowship Program for 2027-2028.

Foreign specialists in studies of the former Soviet and East European countries, who are interested in undertaking research at the SRC during the academic year of 2027-2028 as well as initiating and continuing international collaborations with our staff, may submit applications for this program.

Applicants may indicate their preferred employment period of at least two months, up to a maximum of three months, within the period from May 6, 2027 to March 17, 2028.
After the selection process, the SRC reserves the right to ask selected applicants to change the period of stay at the Center. 

1.Conditions of Awards

The Center undertakes to provide the following:

1. One round-trip air ticket (economy-class) between the place of work of a fellow and Sapporo. Fellows are requested to travel directly from their place of employment to Sapporo when starting the fellowship and go directly home after its completion, without personal stopovers. Otherwise SRC will not cover the air ticket. Fellows are welcome to bring their family, but at their own expense. Fellows must pay shipping and customs clearance charges for their own luggage.
2. A salary of approximately JPY 380,000–500,000 per month (subject to change). (Please be aware that the sum of taxation on your income in Japan will depend on whether a Tax Treaty exists between Japan and your country. Treaties can help you avoid double taxation.)
3. Accommodation – either a flat in the University’s Foreign Scholars’ Residence or a furnished flat outside the University campus. The availability of the former depends on the period of stay. In both cases you will have to pay monthly rent and utilities.
4. A travel allowance for daily commuting to and from the Center, if necessary.
5. An office at the Center (personal computer provided) and access to all the University and library facilities. No secretarial service is provided.
6. Fellows staying for more than two months are required to subscribe to the Japanese national health insurance and pension systems. The insurance covers 70% of your medical expenses, including dental care. Fellows staying for two months should arrange their own health insurance (e.g. travel insurance).
7. The visiting scholar is free to engage in a limited amount of travel for professional purposes within Japan. Foreign travel must be approved by the director in accordance with the regulations.
8. The fellowship period may not be shortened to less than two months, as this would no longer satisfy the eligibility requirements for appointment as a visiting scholar at Hokkaido University.

The above-mentioned conditions are preliminary and changes may occur when the details of the program are finally determined. Please be informed that money transfer from Japan to Russia and Belarus is not possible at the current moment. SRC cannot be responsible for any inconvenience caused by this.

2.Obligations

Visiting fellows have the following obligations to the Center:

1. The Center will expect each fellow to give at least two presentations at academic meetings held in Japan, including the SRC.
2. Each fellow must contribute an article during or immediately after his/her stay in Sapporo to the Center’s international refereed journal Acta Slavica Iaponica on a subject within the broad field of Slavic and Eurasian studies.
3. The visiting fellow is also expected to give lectures to graduate students, participate actively in seminars and symposia, and collaborate with the SRC research fellows during and after his/her stay at the SRC.

3.Applications and References

Applicants should submit applications for this program by the deadline (August 7, 2026).
Applications must be sent by e-mail: [email protected].

Downloadable application form 2027-2028 ( word / pdf )

Each applicant is expected to have at least two letters of reference sent directly to the Center: one letter from the institution to which the applicant is attached, testifying that he or she will be free during the period of the stay in Sapporo, and another confidential letter from a recognized specialist in their field, evaluating the applicant and her/his project.
It is the responsibility of applicants to make sure that letters of reference arrive at the Center by the deadline.
Referees are requested to send their signed letters by e-mail: [email protected].

4.Selection

The SRC carefully examines the applicants’ research plans that should include a plan for international collaboration (e.g., joint research project, co-authored article/co-edited volume with the SRC staff are welcome), academic publications, possible contributions to the SRC’s projects, and other factors. Applicants are required to hold a PhD degree or the equivalent. Preference is given to those who have permanent academic positions.
We aim to invite a diverse cohort of fellows in terms of research topics, disciplines and geographic areas, as well as gender and seniority.

5.Notification

Applicants will be informed about the result of the selection process by January 2027.

6.Correspondence 

Inquiries concerning this program should be addressed to:
Head, Foreign Visitors Fellowship Program
Associate Professor Daisuke Adachi
Slavic-Eurasian Research Center, Hokkaido University
Kita-9, Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0809, Japan
E-mail: [email protected]