Overview
Host Country: Japan
Organization: RIKEN
Description
Host Country: Japan
Organization: RIKEN
Program Type: Research Leadership Program
Duration: Up to 7 Years
Funding: Fully Funded
Pre-registration Deadline: July 9, 2026
Final Submission Deadline: July 16, 2026
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold a PhD degree
Be an early-career researcher
Have limited or no prior PI (Principal Investigator) experience
Demonstrate strong research achievements and publication record
Show leadership potential and ability to manage a research team
Submit a clear and feasible research proposal
Open to all nationalities and research backgrounds
Additional Information
Program Overview
Host Country: Japan
Organization: RIKEN
Program Type: Research Leadership Program
Duration: Up to 7 Years
Funding: Fully Funded
Pre-registration Deadline: July 9, 2026
Final Submission Deadline: July 16, 2026
Degree Level
This is a post-PhD research leadership program. Applicants must already hold a PhD. The program does not offer a degree but provides Principal Investigator (PI)-level experience.
Available Subjects
The program is open to a wide range of disciplines, including:
Artificial Intelligence
Physics
Life Sciences
Engineering
Data Science
Interdisciplinary Research Fields
Benefits
The RIKEN ECL Program offers extensive funding and resources, including:
Research Funding: Team Leaders: Approx. ¥30 million per year Unit Leaders: Approx. ¥10 million per year
Team Leaders: Approx. ¥30 million per year
Unit Leaders: Approx. ¥10 million per year
Salary: Team Leaders: ¥10.92 million annually Unit Leaders: ¥8.52 million annually
Team Leaders: ¥10.92 million annually
Unit Leaders: ¥8.52 million annually
Fully funded laboratory setup and infrastructure
Lab space (up to 150m² for Team Leaders)
Additional funding (up to ¥10 million/year for female researchers)
Ability to hire research staff (postdocs, associates, technicians)
Mentorship from two senior researchers
Access to world-class research facilities
About The Program
The RIKEN ECL Program is structured to bridge the gap between postdoctoral research and independent leadership roles. Unlike traditional fellowships, it provides full autonomy to lead a research team, manage budgets, and develop innovative projects from the start.
This initiative reflects a global shift toward investing in early-career scientists earlier, enabling faster innovation and leadership development.
Eligible Nationalities
The program is open to applicants from all nationalities worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Hold a PhD degree
Be an early-career researcher
Have limited or no prior PI (Principal Investigator) experience
Demonstrate strong research achievements and publication record
Show leadership potential and ability to manage a research team
Submit a clear and feasible research proposal
Open to all nationalities and research backgrounds
Why You Should Apply
This program stands out because it offers:
Early transition into independent PI-level roles
Long-term funding (up to 7 years)
Full control over research direction and budget
Opportunity to build and lead a research team
Access to Japan’s top-tier scientific infrastructure
Career Impact
Being selected for the RIKEN ECL Program significantly boosts academic and research careers. Participants can transition into permanent leadership roles or pursue global opportunities with strong institutional backing. The program is often compared to elite grants like the European Research Council Starting Grants in terms of competitiveness and prestige.
Application Procedure
Complete pre-registration before the deadline
Prepare a detailed research proposal with budget planning
Submit academic CV and publication list
Provide three letters of recommendation
Complete full application submission online
Important Dates
Pre-registration Deadline: July 9, 2026
Final Application Deadline: July 16, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
Is the RIKEN ECL Program fully funded? Yes, it provides research funding, salary, lab space, and full institutional support.
Do I need prior PI experience to apply? No, the program is specifically designed for researchers with little or no prior PI experience.
How competitive is this program? It is highly competitive and comparable to top global research grants, requiring strong research proposals and leadership potential.
Everything You Need To Study Abroad
Explore the universities, programs and support behind studying in Japan — all in one place.
Never Miss A Scholarship
Get new Japan scholarships & deadlines in your inbox.
Searching Scholarships For You
on the best scholarships platform
Card
Funding
Partial Funding
Organization
Japan Universities
Degree
Post Doctorate
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
International Students
Country
Japan
Source
Information provided by scholarships_ads.