Since 2022, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) has offered the SPF-APSA Congressional Fellowship Program to nurture professionals with strong expertise in U.S. politics and U.S.-Japan relations. Through this initiative, SPF provides promising young researchers and practitioners with the opportunity to participate in the American Political Science Association (APSA) Congressional Fellowship Program, gaining valuable exposure to the U.S. legislative process. By supporting this program, SPF seeks to strengthen mutual trust and promote long-term collaboration between the U.S. and Japanese policy communities.
For more details about the program, visit the
Japanese website.
About the APSA Congressional Fellowship
Established in 1953 by the American Political Science Association (APSA), the Congressional Fellowship Program aims to deepen scholars' and professionals' understanding of the U.S. Congress. At its core is a program designed for PhD holders, and today the fellowship boasts a network of over 2,200 alumni. Fellows spend approximately one year in Washington, D.C., where they receive training and gain hands-on experience working in congressional offices or committees.
While the program primarily targets Americans, it also hosts international fellows. Those participating through the SPF-APSA Congressional Fellowship will work as Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) Fellows within the APSA Congressional Fellowship Program.
Visit the APSA website for details.
- American Political Science Association (APSA)
- German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMFUS)
Call for Applications: 2026-2027 Fellows
Applications are now open for two fellowship positions in the 2026 SPF-APSA Fellowship Program.
Period: September 2026 – August 2027
Location: Washington, D.C.
Number of Positions: 2
1. One position in the Researcher category
2. One position in the Practitioner category
Fellowship Benefits: USD 8,000 per month, covering stipend and health insurance; Round-trip travel between Japan and the U.S.; Office space at GMFUS
Applicants must:
1. Be Japanese nationals or permanent residents of Japan.
2. Possess sufficient English proficiency to carry out training and fellowship work.
3. Demonstrate a strong interest in the U.S. federal legislative process, engagement with U.S. congressional stakeholders, and building long-term relationships with them.
4. Have a flexible and open-minded personality, and be willing to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, including younger supervisors.
5. Have obtained their doctoral degree within the past 15 years. [Researcher Category]
6. Have approximately 10 years of professional experience in politics-related fields* (approximately 7 years for those with a master's degree). [Practitioner Category]
*Note: Politics-related professional experience is not limited to any specific industry.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
1. Resume (in Japanese)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (in English)
3. Statement of Purpose (in English, approximately 750 words, single-spaced): Describe how participation in this fellowship will contribute to your professional goals.
4. A writing sample of a single-authored academic paper (in English; Japanese is acceptable if no English version is available) [Required for Researcher Category]
5. A detailed work history (in Japanese) [Required for Practitioner Category]
6. Names, titles, and contact information (phone number and email address) of two referees
Notes:
1. All files must be submitted in PDF format.
2. Additional documents may be requested during the selection process if necessary.
Please attach all required application documents to an email and send them to apsa-fellowship@spf.or.jp (General Affairs and Networking Program, Japan-U.S. Security Studies Unit).
Documents to be Submitted by Referees
Two letters of recommendation (in Japanese or English)
Notes:
1. There is no required file format (PDF preferred if possible).
2. A handwritten signature is not required.
3. Referees must send the letters directly to apsa-fellowship@spf.or.jp.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 17:00 (Japan Standard Time)
Please note that letters of recommendation must also be submitted by this deadline. Be sure to contact your referees well in advance to ensure timely submission. If there are exceptional circumstances preventing submission by the deadline, please consult with us in advance.
Fellows will be selected through a document screening and interview process. Final decisions are expected to be made in January 2026.
Selection and Fellowship Timeline
| July 2025 |
Application period begins |
| December 2, 2025 |
Deadline for submission of all application documents and letters of recommendation |
| December 2025 |
Document screening: All applicants will be notified of the results via email. |
| ~ January 2026 |
Interview screening (conducted by SPF and GMFUS) |
| January 2026 |
Notification of final selection results: All interviewees will be notified via email. |
| February – August 2026 |
Preparation for travel and J-1 visa application |
| September 2026 |
Fellowship starts |
| September – December 2026 |
1. Participate in training on Congress and foreign policy at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
2. Attend APSA orientation sessions and receive lectures from policy experts, congressional staffers, researchers, journalists, and others |
| December 2026 ~ |
Apply for placement by submitting your resume, statement of purpose, and other required documents to congressional offices or committees of interest, and undergo a selection process |
| January – August 2027 |
Engage in work at congressional offices or committees
*Opportunities may include trips to the Member's district and participation in exchange programs with the Canadian Parliament. |
| August 2027 |
Completion of fellowship |
1. Please note that even after selection, the fellowship may be revoked if any false information is found in the application documents or if the applicant becomes ineligible.
2. Individuals who have previously received this fellowship are not eligible to apply.
3. Information regarding the J-1 visa application process will be provided after the fellowship selection is finalized. For all other U.S. visa-related inquiries, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate directly.
4. Fellows are responsible for arranging their own housing. Neither APSA nor GMFUS will provide housing referrals or intermediary services.
Handling of Personal Information
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation will handle applicants' personal information appropriately in accordance with applicable laws and the Foundation's privacy policy. Submitted personal information will be used solely for administrative purposes related to the selection process and other related activities. Please note that personal information may be shared with partner organizations involved in the fellowship.
Email: apsa-fellowship@spf.or.jp
Attn: Takuya Tazawa
