The International Visiting Researchers Program of International Christian University to appoint Visiting Researchers shall be established in order to enrich and enhance the internationalization of education and research activities of the University and to promote research in the field of Japan studies as well as other related areas which contribute to achieving the objectives of the Center for Global Education (CGE).

Visiting Researchers shall be given the title of:

a) Visiting Research Fellow; or 

b) Visiting Doctoral Research Fellow; or 

c) Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow (if specially appointed by the President).

A person who is eligible to apply as a Visiting Doctoral Research Fellow must satisfy all of the following conditions:

1. Pre-Doctoral students who are currently enrolled in a university outside of Japan who have not yet obtained a Doctoral degree; wish to come to Japan to conduct research for their doctoral thesis; and whose plan has been approved by the candidate's home institution (Candidacy). 

2. Pre-Doctoral student's doctoral research is in the field of Japan studies and/or other related areas which contribute to achieving the objectives of the CGE and the University.

3. Pre-Doctoral students who can obtain a recommendation from an appropriate professor at their home university. 

4. An ICU full-time academic staff has agreed to host and mentor the candidate.

5. Pre-Doctoral students who are expected to receive external funding not limited to but including the Japan Foundation program and Fulbright Scholar Program.

Visiting Researchers are expected to follow such responsibilities/conditions as:

1. Visiting Researchers must have a valid visa status in Japan for the duration of their stay. They shall not stay beyond the expiration of their visa.

2. ICU does not provide financial support for Visiting Researchers. Each Visiting Researcher applicant must provide proof of financial support. Funding may come from the researcher's home institution, a fellowship from a recognized international organization, or personal funds. In the case of institutional support, the funding organization must supply a letter of support that details the total amount of funding, uses of funds, and the date to which funding is guaranteed. ICU requires all Visiting Researchers to have at least 100,000JPY per month of the proposed stay.

3. Visiting Researchers will be expected to abide by the laws and customs of Japan and by the policies and regulations of the ICU.

4. Visiting Researchers who fail to demonstrate satisfactory research activities and/or who violate the rules and regulations of the ICU may be subject to dismissal from the program. Every effort will be exercised to consult prior to any sanction or disciplinary action.

5. Visiting Researchers are expected to return to their home institution after the designated period of appointment. As a general rule, Visiting Researchers shall not be appointed for an ICU full-time position or as degree candidates (in case of Visiting Doctoral Research Fellow).

6. Visiting Research Fellow and Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow are encouraged to give one or two open lectures at ICU during the appointed period.

7. Visiting Researchers shall not attend Department or Faculty Meetings.

8. Successful candidates will need to pay an Application Processing Fee and a Visa Processing Fee (if applicable). The cost is to be determined separately.

1. The period of appointment for Visiting Researchers shall be between one month (31 days) and one year (365 days) at ICU. Reappointments and extensions of more than one year will not be considered. Appointment for a shorter period of time (30 days or less) shall not be considered under this program, but it may be considered under the responsibility of the inviting faculty member, research center, department or office.

2. Visiting Researchers shall not extend the period of appointment beyond the last day of the academic year (March 31) in which he/she reaches 70 years of age (excluding Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow).

3. Appointments may begin twice a year, in April (spring appointment) or in September (autumn appointment), and the application cycles are separate. Applications must be submitted according to each application cycle for either spring or autumn appointment, depending on the applicant's preference. 

ICU shall support Visiting Researchers by providing the following:

1. Visiting Research Fellow and Visiting Doctoral Research Fellow will be given a research space in a shared office. Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow will be given a research space in a private office.

2. As far as possible Visiting Researchers will be provided with necessary documentation to apply for either a "Temporary Visitor", or "Cultural activities" visa to stay in Japan.  ICU will also assist as much as possible with the necessary documents to apply for a "Dependent" visa if bringing a family member.

3. Visiting Research Fellow and Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow may apply for campus accommodation depending on availability. If a Visiting Research Fellow is accompanied by family members of three or more, they need to consider finding off-campus housing.

4. Visiting Researchers will be given access to the library (fee-based) and ICU campus WiFi.

Application documents may include such documents as follows:

1. Application Form;

2. Curriculum vitae;

3. Research Proposal;

4. Proof of available funding;

5. Recommendation letter from a home institution (*); and

6. Recommendation letter from ICU faculty (*).

*Recommendation letters must be submitted by referees. Please include your referee's information on the application form, and CGE will ask your referees to submit a letter of recommendation directly to CGE.

ICU faculty member who has taken up the role of a host of the Visiting Researchers will be responsible for the following:

1. The host shall write a letter of recommendation upon application.

2. The host shall support the candidate’s application process.

3. The host shall support the paperwork and procedures necessary to settle in Japan and ICU campus as necessary.

4. The host for Visiting Doctoral Research Fellow shall confirm whether or not research conducted on the ICU campus needs to be approved by the ICU research ethics committee. 

Please contact the ICU faculty member who will be your host, discuss the conditions of acceptance and your research plans, and ask him/her to write a letter of recommendation.

*If you do not have a connection to a faculty member of ICU, Please use "Faculty Search" to search for a faculty member and contact us through the inquiry form below. CGE will forward your inquiry to the faculty member you wish to contact. However, please note that we cannot guarantee that a faculty member will reply to you.