Open call for applications
FY2026 Open call
The application period for FY2026 has been closed The application period for FY2026 closed on June 9. Approximately 1,600 proposals were submitted. The distribution by research field was as follows: Materials (32%), Biotechnology (21%), AI, Information and Intelligent Robotics (21%), Energy (16%), Quantum (4%), Semiconductors (3%), and Network and Telecommunications (2%). The selected projects are scheduled to be finalized in late August following deliberation by the Selection Committee for the LOTUS Program.
Message from President on the Launch of the Call for Proposals (Japanese only)
[iframe omitted]
Briefing Materials for the Call for Proposals
- LOTUS FY2026 call overview（PDF：509KB）
Sessions for the Call for Proposals
Note: the briefing sessions for the FY2026 call for proposals have ended.
| Session | Date & Time (JST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 – Tokyo (1) | 30 March, 2026 (Mon), 13:00–15:00 | JST Tokyo Headquarters Annex 1F Hall & Zoom Webinar |
| Session 2 – Sendai | 8 April, 2026 (Wed), 13:00–15:00 | TKP Garden City Sendai-ekikita, Etoile A |
| Session 3 – Nagoya | 13 April, 2026 (Mon), 13:00–15:00 | TKP Garden City PREMIUM Nagoya Shinkansenguchi, Banquet Room 4A |
| Session 4 – Fukuoka | 17 April, 2026 (Fri), 13:00–15:00 | TKP Hakata-eki Chikushiguchi Business Center, 701 Room |
| Session 5 – Kyoto | 20 April, 2026 (Mon), 13:00–15:00 | TKP Garden City Kyoto Tower Hotel, 7F Tachibana Room |
| Session 6 – Osaka | 21 April, 2026 (Tue), 13:00–15:00 | TKP Garden City PREMIUM Osaka Umedashinmichi, Hall 3B |
| Session 7 – Sapporo | 22 April, 2026 (Wed), 13:00–15:00 | TKP Sapporo White Building Conference Center, Conference Room 6C |
| Session 8 – Tokyo (2) | 27 April, 2026 (Mon), 13:00–15:00 | JST Tokyo Headquarters Annex 2F A Meeting Room & Zoom Webinar |
Note: Sessions above held in Japanese only. Only the Tokyo sessions will be held in a hybrid format; all other sessions onsite only.
If you wish to participate, please register via the link below: https://form2.jst.go.jp/s/1108eb49/o The event has ended
English Sessions (online only)
| Session | Date & Time (JST/IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 – English Session - online only | 23 Apr, 2026 (Thu) 17:00-18:00 (JST) / 13:30-14:30 (IST) | Zoom Webinar |
| Session 2 – English Session - online only | 28 Apr, 2026 (Tue) 17:00-18:00 (JST) / 13:30-14:30 (IST) | Zoom Webinar |
Note: Session 1 and Session 2 cover identical content. If you wish to participate, please register via the link below: Session 1 – https://form2.jst.go.jp/s/812c2218/o (The event has ended) Session 2 – https://form2.jst.go.jp/s/d5cc5dec/o (The event has ended)
Video of Sessions for the Call for Proposals
The following are materials and videos from the English session (online) held on April 23, 2026 (Thursday).
- Part 1: LOUTS 2026 concept and Message from President Murty (English)
- Part1 Presentation (English)（PDF: 1,292KB）
- Part 2: Important Information and Guidelines for the LOTUS 2026 Programmes (English)
- Part2 Presentation (English)（PDF: 731KB）
- Part 3: Q&A (English)
- Part3 Presentation (English)（PDF: 860KB）
Schedule
| Start of the Call for proposals | Submission Deadline | Notification of Decision | Implementation period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2026 | 13 March | 9 June, 12:00 (noon), Japan Standard Time | Late August | LOTUS Basic: From the contract execution date on or after early October 2026 up to September, 2027 at the latest LOTUS-ASPIRE: From the contract execution date on or after early October 2026 up to September, 2029 at the latest |
Requirements for Invitees
Invitees must meet the following requirements of affiliation / age at the time of exchange participation. (1) Persons who are enrolled as a graduate student (master's degree, doctoral degree) or postdoctoral fellow at an Indian university, 40 years old and under.
Eligibility Requirements for Applicants and Implementing Institutions
(1) Eligibility Requirements for Applicants (Principal Investigator (PI) in Japan) a. Applicants must themselves belong to a research institution in Japan and be in a position to conduct research at that institution. b. Applicants must be researchers who can assume responsibility as the Principal Investigator in charge of the joint research between Japan and India throughout the implementation period, including overseeing the invitees. (2) Eligibility Requirements for Implementing Institutions Institutions must be universities, research and development agencies, or other entities that have research and development bases within Japan and possess corporate status under Japanese law. These Japanese institutions must be conducting or planning to conduct joint research with Indian research institutions.
Number of adoptions
The total number of fellowship candidates will be about 1,000.
Implementation period
LOTUS Basic The implementation period is up to 12 months following execution of the contract with the implementing institution. The invitee’s period of stay may consist of multiple visits, provided they fall within the research period. LOTUS-ASPIRE The implementation period is up to 36 months following execution of the contract with the implementing institution. The invitee’s period of stay may consist of multiple visits, provided they fall within the research period.
How to Apply
Please make sure to review the “Application Guidelines.” Applications must be submitted through “e-Rad” by PI in Japan. Please note that the name of the call differs depending on whether you (1) apply for both [LOTUS-ASPIRE] and [LOTUS Basic], (2) apply only for [LOTUS-ASPIRE], or (3) apply only for [LOTUS Basic]. e-Rad（https://www.e-rad.go.jp/index.html） For applicants applying only for LOTUS Basic Apply under: “FY2026 India-Japan Circulation of Talented Youths in Science Programme (LOTUS Basic)” via e-Rad For applicants applying for both LOTUS-ASPIRE and LOTUS Basic, or only for LOTUS-ASPIRE Apply under: “FY2026 Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovation Research Ecosystem ASPIRE Exchange Type (LOTUS-ASPIRE)” via e-Rad
- Applicants applying for only one program must ensure that the appropriate section of the application form is checked.
- Please note that registration in e-Rad may take some time. Be sure to prepare well in advance. Applications not submitted by the deadline or applications containing deficiencies will not be considered for review.
Process up to implementation
- Plan – Plan preparation by organization in India and Japan
- Application – Japanese organizations will apply to JST for a joint research plan.
- Adopting – JST will adopt the joint research plans through a selection committee.
- Agreement – JST and the Japanese organizations sign an implementation agreement.
- Implementation – Joint instruction by both countries and JST provides support for research stays.
- Follow-up Survey – A follow-up survey will be conducted on the effects after implementation of the joint research plan (5 years after the end).
Application Guidelines
| Dedicated Proposal Form for New Applications | WORD: 64KB ※5/1 Update | | Dedicated Proposal Form for Transfer Applications *1 | WORD: 59KB ※5/1 Update | | Q＆A | PDF: 822KB ※4/20 New!! |
*1 This form is exclusively for those who wish to apply for a transition from the ongoing FY2025 LOTUS Program to FY2026 LOTUS-ASPIRE or LOTUS Basic.
Past Calls
- FY2025
- FY2024