The Japan Foundation offers several grant programs and fellowship opportunities in order to deepen the understanding of Japan in the United States. These programs support institutions, researchers, and students in the field of Japanese Studies.
1. JFNY Grant for Japanese Studies
This grant aims to support projects that will enhance and deepen the understanding of Japan through academic exploration. Successful proposals generally take the form of conferences, colloquia, symposia, presentations, and lectures.
| Grant type | Post-paid grant | Proposal deadline | Rolling (must be submitted at least 3 months prior to the start date of the project) |
|---|---|
| Funding opportunity | Institutional funding for U.S.-based institutions/organizations with 501(c)(3) status |
| Benefits | $5,000 |
2. JFNY Grant for Online Japanese Studies
As in-person gatherings are limited due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, various activities related to Japanese Studies in the United States have been suspended. In response, online activities have increased as various efforts are being made under these restrictions. The JNFY office created a new grant program to provide intensive support for initiatives that focus on exchanges via the internet.
| Grant type | Post-paid grant |
|---|---|
| Proposal deadline | Rolling (must be submitted at least 1 month prior to the start date of the project) |
| Funding opportunity | Institutional funding for U.S.-based institutions/organizations with 501(c)(3) status |
| Benefits | $2,500 |
3. Japanese Studies Fellowship Programs
Our Fellowship programs provide support to outstanding scholars, researchers, and professionals in the field by offering the opportunity to conduct research in Japan.
| Proposal deadline | November 1 (annually) |
|---|---|
| Funding opportunity | Projects must be in the humanities, social sciences, and/or comparative research |
| Benefits | Includes airfare, insurance, settling-in and departure allowances, monthly stipend,
dependent allowance, enrollment fees (may vary depending on program) |
4. Institutional Project Support (IPS) Program
This program is designed to encourage innovative and sustained growth of the Japanese Studies field in the United States. Grant coverage may include support for faculty, instructor, or staff salaries, travel expenses, honoraria for lectures, visiting scholar support, graduate and undergraduate support, acquisition of research and teaching materials, conference and seminar expenses, and acquisition of library and digital resources.
Strong consideration will be given to proposals that identify and respond to national needs in Japanese Studies.
Applications that create tenure or tenure-track positions in Japanese Studies are especially welcome.
| Grant type | Pre-paid grant |
|---|---|
| Proposal deadline | November 1 (annually) |
| Funding opportunity | Institutional funding for U.S.-based institutions/organizations with 501(c)(3) status |
| Benefits | Maximum of $150,000 per year for up to three years
Applicants must be prepared to equally match the grant amount |
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5. Institutional Project Support (IPS) – Small Grant Program
This program is designed to: (i) support institutions that face difficulties maintaining current levels of infrastructure in the wake of severe budgetary cuts in funding for Japanese Studies in the U.S., (ii) stimulate infrastructural interest in Japanese Studies at small or newer institutions without an established program of Japanese Studies or those that lack the personnel or resources, and (iii) provide support for particularly innovative programs that promote Japanese Studies.
| Grant type | Pre-paid grant |
|---|---|
| Proposal deadline | November 1 (annually) |
| Funding opportunity | Institutional funding for U.S.-based institutions/organizations with 501(c)(3) status |
| Benefits | Maximum of $25,000 for up to one year |
6. Case Studies Japan: Research Trip to Japan for Interdisciplinary Scholars and Graduate Students
This initiative offers an opportunity for an interdisciplinary group of faculty members and graduate students at U.S. institutions to travel to Japan and conduct case study field research in the realms of the humanities and social sciences. The goal is to provide participants, especially those who may not be familiar with Japan, with firsthand experiences to gain a deeper understanding of and make connections in Japan that will be useful in their own disciplines after the trip. Researchers who are experts on Japan at U.S. universities, colleges, think tanks or other research organizations are invited to apply for this grant to help fund a short-term study tour.
| Grant type | Pre-paid grant |
|---|---|
| Proposal deadline | Rolling until January 31, 2020 |
| Funding opportunity | Institutional funding for U.S.-based institutions/organizations with 501(c)(3) status |
| Benefits | Maximum of $50,000 per project |
7. U.S-Southeast Asia-Japan Collaboration and Exchange Initiative
NOTE: Funding for this grant program will end in July 2020. The Japan Foundation is not accepting further applications.
This initiative is designed to connect Japan scholars from the U.S., Southeast Asia, and Japan in order to enhance their collective scholarship through collaborative projects and exchanges, as well as to advance Japanese Studies in these three regions.
This initiative encourages the creation of scholarly networks and sharing of Japanese Studies resources, research methodology, and practical collaborative work.
| Grant type | Pre-paid grant |
|---|---|
| Proposal deadline | November 1 (annually) |
| Funding opportunity | Projects are to be based at U.S. institutions, and may include the invitation of scholars, collaborative research, seminars or workshops, mutual exchange of Japan scholars and/or students, and/or other types of collaborative efforts |
| Benefits | Maximum of $100,000 for up to one year |
Inactive Programs
Click here to view inactive programs.