The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) provides opportunities for overseas researchers who have conducted research activities under JSPS International Fellowships for Research in Japan or other JSPS programs to come back to Japan to create, sustain and/ or strengthen research collaborations with Japanese colleagues. The objective is to build strong networks among researchers in Japan and other countries through a variety of activities. These include former JSPS fellows visiting their past host institutions in Japan, or coming to Japan to plan or implement joint research projects and seminars, to offer training or lectures for young researchers, or to prepare or attend scientific conferences and research meetings.

Researchers invited to Japan under this fellowship program are called “BRIDGE Fellows.” Based on applications by individual researchers, candidates are recommended to JSPS’s Head Office by JSPS alumni associations and JSPS overseas offices or the JSPS-designated official in the Japanese Embassy for countries without a JSPS overseas office. Hereinafter a JSPS overseas office or a JSPS-designated official in a Japanese Embassy will be commonly referred to as a “JSPS office,” and the alumni association and JSPS office as “alumni association/ JSPS office.”