Deadline: 11-November-2025
The program will fund initiatives that analyze and propose future-oriented plans to address population decline through four areas: government policies and systems, private and community initiatives, infrastructure reform, and new regional or societal designs.
Projects may include both research and practical trials. The program encourages approaches that view population decline as an opportunity to envision new, sustainable ways of living rather than focusing solely on increasing population numbers. However, projects that duplicate existing government or private efforts, directly target elderly support, or address social issues through short-term fixes are not eligible.
A total of 45 million yen will be allocated to the program, with each selected project receiving between 5 to 10 million yen. It is expected that four to six projects will be granted funding.
The grant period will extend for either two years (May 2026 – April 2028) or three years (May 2026 – April 2029). Eligible expenses include personnel costs, administrative expenses, and up to 10% for organizational administrative costs necessary for project execution.
The grant program requires teams to be composed of cross-disciplinary members, including personnel with expertise in research and studies. In grant area, teams must take into account the perspectives of both young people and the private sector.
The research must be evidence-based and built upon previous studies, with a clear focus on policies and systems that reflect the perspectives of young people and the next generation, while considering the specific circumstances of the target society.
Furthermore, each project must include policy recommendations aimed at appropriate targets, organize public symposiums, and disseminate results through creative productions such as films, novels, or plays within the grant period. This ensures that the findings and proposals reach a broader audience and foster meaningful public discourse on population decline and future societal models.
The final grant decisions will be made by a selection committee consisting of external experts, with the results approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors in late March 2026. This initiative underscores Japan’s commitment to empowering the younger generation to develop innovative, sustainable responses to the challenges of population decline.
For more information, visit The Toyota Foundation.
