Submissions open for Daiwa Foundation Awards (UK and Japan)

The Daiwa Foundation Awards provide funding of £9,000–£18,000 to support new collaborative projects between British and Japanese partners across academic, cultural, educational, and professional fields. The awards prioritise innovative UK–Japan partnerships within established institutional relationships and are open to a wide range of organisations. Applications must be submitted online by 31 March, with funding decisions announced later in the year.

Overview

The Daiwa Foundation Awards are designed to strengthen and sustain collaboration between the United Kingdom and Japan by supporting joint projects led by British and Japanese partner organisations.

The awards focus on enabling meaningful bilateral cooperation within an existing institutional relationship, while strongly encouraging new initiatives rather than ongoing, routine, or regularly recurring activities.

Funding is provided as a contribution toward project costs, allowing the Foundation to support multiple high-quality collaborations each year.

Key Objectives of the Awards

The Daiwa Foundation Awards aim to:

• Promote long-term UK–Japan institutional partnerships

• Encourage innovative and newly developed collaborative projects

• Support cross-sector exchange in academic, cultural, educational, scientific, and professional fields

• Strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between British and Japanese organisations

The programme places particular emphasis on projects that demonstrate clear joint planning, shared outcomes, and sustainable partnership potential.

Funding Amount and Duration

Grant Size

• Funding range: £9,000 to £18,000

• Typical award size: approximately £9,000

The award is intended as partial funding rather than full project coverage.

Use of Funds

Funding may be used to support eligible project-related costs, but applicants must demonstrate additional financial or in-kind contributions where relevant.

Projects must not begin before the funding decision date.

Types of Projects Supported

Eligible projects must involve significant collaboration between at least one British and one Japanese partner.

Supported partnerships may include:

• Universities and research institutions

• Schools and educational organisations

• Museums, galleries, and cultural institutions

• Theatres and performing arts organisations

• Grassroots and professional non-profit organisations

Projects that are new in concept are strongly encouraged. Continuing or regularly recurring activities are unlikely to be funded unless there is a compelling justification or a special occasion.

What Is Not Funded

The Daiwa Foundation Awards do not support:

• Projects without both British and Japanese partners

• General fundraising appeals

• Capital expenditure such as building refurbishment or equipment purchase

• School or university tuition fees

• Individual student research or study projects

• Salary costs or professional fees

• Art commissions

• Retrospective funding

• Replacement of statutory funding

• Commercial or profit-making activities

Applicants should carefully review these exclusions before applying.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include organisations and institutions that meet the following criteria:

• A British organisation partnered with a Japanese organisation

• An established institutional relationship between partners

• Capacity to jointly plan, deliver, and manage the project

• Willingness to appoint a Project Leader responsible for grant administration

Both partners must play an active role in the design and delivery of the project.

Why the Daiwa Foundation Awards Matter

The awards play a strategic role in strengthening UK–Japan relations by:

• Enabling cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange

• Supporting innovation in education, culture, science, and the arts

• Encouraging sustainable institutional partnerships

• Providing seed funding for initiatives with long-term impact

They are particularly valuable for organisations seeking to launch new bilateral initiatives that may not yet qualify for larger funding schemes.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Register on the Daiwa Foundation online application platform

2. Complete the eligibility test to confirm alignment with current guidelines

3. Fill in the online application form, ensuring all mandatory sections are completed

4. Provide details of the Project Leader responsible for administering the grant

5. Include full Project Partner information for both the British and Japanese organisations

6. Submit a clear project description with defined start and end dates

7. Upload supplementary materials, including CVs of the Project Leader and partners

8. Attach a detailed schedule for any planned visits to the UK or Japan

9. Declare any previous applications made to the Daiwa Foundation

Applicants are advised to prepare responses in advance and respect all word limits.

Application Timeline

• Application deadline: 31 March

• Funding decisions announced: by the end of May and November

Applications should be submitted as early as possible to allow sufficient preparation time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects without confirmed British and Japanese partners

• Proposing ongoing or regularly recurring activities without strong justification

• Planning project start dates before the funding decision

• Requesting funding for ineligible costs such as salaries or equipment

• Providing incomplete partner or Project Leader information

• Failing to demonstrate genuine collaboration between both parties

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do both partners need to apply separately?

No. A single application is submitted, but it must include full details of both the British and Japanese partners.

Can individuals apply for the Daiwa Foundation Awards?

No. Applications must be submitted by organisations or institutions, not individuals.

Is the funding intended to cover all project costs?

No. The award is a contribution toward project costs, not full funding.

Are new partnerships eligible?

Projects must be based on an established institutional relationship, but the activity itself should be new.

Can a project include travel between the UK and Japan?

Yes. A detailed schedule of visits must be provided as part of the application.

Can projects start before funding decisions are announced?

No. Projects cannot begin before the official decision date.

How competitive are the awards?

The awards are competitive, with priority given to well-designed, collaborative, and innovative projects.

Conclusion

The Daiwa Foundation Awards offer valuable support for organisations seeking to develop new and meaningful UK–Japan collaborative projects.

By prioritising innovation, partnership quality, and long-term impact, the awards provide an important opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation across education, culture, science, and professional practice.