Funding

Fellowship Programme

There are three categories under our Fellowship Programme. All three give the opportunity to academics and other professionals at Ph.D level and above to visit Japan to pursue research in the field of Japanese Studies. The programme is not open to undergraduates or to MA candidates. As a rule, a named affiliate in Japan is required at the time of application. The Fellowship comprises airfare, stipend to cover living expenses and other allowances. The three categories are:

1. Scholars and Researchers

For academics working in the field of Japanese studies, the humanities and the social sciences. Duration of Fellowship: from (no less than) 2 months to (no longer than) 12 months.

2. Doctoral Candidates

For candidates who are in the closing stages of their Ph.D. and who need to undertake fieldwork in Japan in order to complete their dissertation/thesis. Proof at the time of application that all other necessary requirements, bar completion of the thesis, have been fulfilled for the award of the Ph.D is needed from the candidate’s supervisor.

Duration of Fellowship: from (no less than) 4 months to (no longer than) 14 months

3. Short-term Researchers

For academics working in the field of Japanese studies, the humanities and the social sciences requiring a short, intensive research period.

Duration of Fellowship: from (no less than) 21 to (no longer than) 60 days.

The Fellowship Programme is open to UK and EU nationals or to non-UK/EU nationals who have permanent residency in the UK. UK applications should be made to the London office.

Applicants who do not come under the above categories may apply direct to the Tokyo Office as long as their country of origin has diplomatic relations with Japan.

For further details on the programme and application forms either contact Neil Cantwell or go to the programme list on our Tokyo site.

Past Grant Recipients 2009-10

Scholars and Researchers Category

Dr Paul Hansen, SOAS
Topic of Research: Domestic Animals and Family Ties in Urban Japan: Changing Kinship and 'Skinship' Across Species Bounds

Dr Inge Daniels, University of Oxford
Topic of Research: Feeling at Home in Urban Japan - An Exhibition

Dr David Bruce, London Metropolitan University
Topic of Research: Globalisation and the Japanese Economy

Dr Michael Gardiner, University of Warwick
Topic of Research: Japanese Modernism 1920-70 and Euro-American Theories of 'World Literature'

Professor Andrew Gerstle, SOAS
Topic of Research: Erotic Parodies of 18th Century Japanese Women's Conduct Books

Intellectual Exchange Conferences

Grant Programme for Intellectual Exchange Projects

This programme provides grants to non-profit making organisations (e.g. institutions of higher education, research centres, think tanks, NGO/NPOs, cultural organisations) wishing to carry out international intellectual collaborative projects (e.g. international conferences, seminars, workshops and training) that

  • address common global problems,
  • increase mutual understanding and tolerance between nations
  • and contribute to the development of a more open and just society.

A significant Japanese involvement and participation is expected. Multilateral and interdisciplinary exchange projects, with participation from a wide cross-section of society are given higher priority. It is advisable to contact this office to discuss your application before applying.

For further details on this programme and application forms either contact Neil Cantwell or go to our Tokyo site.

Research and Conference Support for Japanese Studies

For organisations interested in the former Grant Programme for Research and Conference for Japanese Studies, please contact Neil Cantwell for information for 2009-10. This programme has been integrated into a comprehensive new programme, the Support Programme for Organisations in Japanese Studies. Application forms are only available from this office.

Past Grant Recipients 2009-10

University of Glasgow
A grant towards the conference: "Towards barrier free society": Japan UK symposium for 'Friendship beyond Boundaries'

University of Coventry
A grant towards the conference: Human Security and Peace-building

Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures
A grant towards the conference: Dogu; ancient art and modern inspirations

Kings College London
A grant towards the conference: Seizing the Trident, Drawing the Sword: Anglo-Japanese Military Relations from the Alliance to an Interdependent World

Institute of Community Cohesion, University of Coventry
AA grant towards the conference: Comparative Approaches to Integration and Cohesion

Other Support for Conferences 2009-10

Japan Library Group, Tenri Workshop Committee
A grant towards the conference: Tenri Antiquarian Materials Workshop for Overseas Japanese Studies Librarians.

British Association for Japanese Studies (BAJS)
A grant towards the conference: Joint East Asian Studies Conference

Organisations in Japanese Studies

From 2007-8 these programmes, including Staff Expansion, Visiting Professorship, Library Support, Publication Support and Conference Support, have been integrated into a comprehensive new programme, the Support Programme for Organisations in Japanese Studies. We are currently supporting:

  • Staff Expansion - University of Sheffield and SOAS
  • Library Support - University of Bristol

If you would like further information, please contact Neil Cantwell. Applications forms for this programme are only available from this office.

Local Project Support Programme and Travel Grant Study Support

The Japan Foundation London office holds a small budget for assistance towards activities and projects that help to promote a greater awareness of Japan, its arts, language and culture in the UK. Projects must take place in the UK to be eligible for support and applications can only be accepted from organisations.

Demand on the budget is high and the amount that we can allocate to each project is normally no more than £1,000. This programme is particularly useful for applicants whose projects may not be eligible for funding under the main annual grant programmes, for those who were unsuccessful in their application to them, or to those who may have missed the annual deadline for the main grant programmes.

For further details on the Local Project Support Programme contact Neil Cantwell.

The London Office of the Japan Foundation will also be making a small number of travel grants available within this 2009 - 10 financial year under its Study Support Programme to UK applicants who are planning to visit Japan for research in Japanese Studies or for other Japan-related projects. For further details on this grant programme please click here or contact Neil Cantwell.