The Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers (Japan Award) is now open for nominations for its 20th edition in 2026. This prestigious award aims to motivate and honor young foreign researchers who have demonstrated outstanding performance or produced research achievements with potential to drive future innovation in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related industries in developing regions.
Eligibility
Candidates must:
- Be nationals of a developing country or territory.
- Be under 40 years old as of January 1, 2026.
- Belong to a non‑Japanese research institute or university.
- Be engaged in research and development in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or related industries in developing regions.
- Show outstanding performance or achievements that promise future innovation.
- Be able, in principle, to attend the awarding ceremony in Japan and deliver a lecture.
“Candidates must be researchers who have the nationality of a developing country and/or territory, are under 40 years old as of January 01, 2026, belong to a non-Japanese research institute or a non-Japanese university, are engaged in research and development in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and related industries in developing regions.”
Award Details
- Up to three awardees will be selected.
- Each awardee will be invited to Japan to receive a testimonial from the Chairman of the AFFRC.
- Each awardee will receive a cash prize of US$5,000 (MOTAI‑JIRCAS Award).
- The award is supported by the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).
Timeline
- Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 (JST).
- Selection of Winners: August–September 2026 (tentative).
- Awarding Ceremony: October–November 2026 (tentative).
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted by recommending research institutes (universities or research organizations, Japanese or non‑Japanese).
- Only one researcher per institute (including branches) can be recommended.
- Required documents include:
- Application form
- Self‑advertisement sheet
- List of research achievements
- Checklist and supporting guidelines
This award highlights the contributions of young agricultural researchers in developing regions, encouraging innovation that strengthens food systems, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. It is a unique opportunity for Ghanaian and other African researchers to gain international recognition and support for their work.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Agri‑web. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the official programme portals for complete details and verified application instructions. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to exercise due diligence before submitting any personal or sensitive information.
To apply for this job please visit www.jircas.go.jp.