[June 2024]
The Japanese donors provide a range of grant programs that are open to applicants from diverse backgrounds and sectors. These programs cover various fields such as youth development, environmental conservation, education enhancement, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), peacebuilding, and more. These grants offer more than just financial support; they represent a transformative opportunity for individuals and organizations dedicated to driving positive change.
By supporting innovation and sustainable development, Japanese donors empower initiatives that tackle pressing global issues and promote lasting community resilience. These grants are supported and funded by Japanese Donors. Please find the full list below:
Open Call: 1minute Projection Mapping Competition (2 million yen, Trophy, Supplementary Prize)
Deadline: 9 July 2024
The Projection Mapping Association of Japan is inviting applications for its 1minute Projection Mapping Competition. This international competition is not only one of the industry’s leading contest events, but also a creative venue for top creators from around the world and Japan.
In 2024, This international competition is calling for video works from creators around the world.
The Japan Water Forum (JWF) Fund 2024 is now Open for Applications!
Deadline: 17-Jul-24
The Japan Water Forum Fund is inviting applications to help solve local water-related issues in developing countries by assisting in the implementation of sustainable solutions led by grassroots organizations.
The JWF Fund aims to contribute to the solution of local water-related issues in developing countries by assisting in the implementation of sustainable solutions led by grass-roots organizations.
Commemorative Grant Fund for Capacity Building of Young Scientists
Deadline: 31 July 2024
The Nagao Natural Environment Foundation is inviting applications for the Commemorative Grant Fund directed towards helping young scientists in the Asia-Pacific developing countries grow up as world-class scientists in the fields of conservation of wildlife and ecosystem in the region.
Each project should be implemented by a young researcher as a project scientist (PS), under the guidance and support of a project coordinator (PC) having excellent scientific achievements, in PS’s home country (or target countries) or in Japan while studying in Japan.
Global Media Peace Awards: A Commitment to a Peaceful Future
Deadline: 30 August 2024
The Executive Education HEC Montréal, in collaboration with Pale Bleu Dot Foundation – Japan, is launching the Global Media Peace Awards to encourage and support peace-building efforts on a global scale.
These awards will recognize the contributions of radio and television broadcasters, digital media experts and citizens, public and private, in conflict prevention and resolution. In three distinct categories, these awards will honor excellence in radio, television, and digital media. They firmly believe in the vital role of media in influencing societies to address global challenges and promoting peace.
ESD Okayama Award 2024
Deadline: 12-Jul-2024
Okayama is now accepting applications for the ESD Okayama Award 2024, which recognizes outstanding ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) initiatives anywhere in the world.
The ESD Okayama Award has been held since 2015 under the joint sponsorship of Okayama City and the ESD Okayama Award Steering Board, with the aim of honoring excellent examples of ESD in Japan and abroad, thereby supporting the activities of the award-winning project organizations and contributing to the spread of ESD activities.
International Creator Residency Program
Deadline: 2 July 2024
“International Creator Residency Program” aims to invite distinguished and highly motivated international creators in the field of visual art, film, design, architecture, and to give opportunities to work in Tokyo.
The open-call program “International Creator Residency Program (Theme Projects)” for the period from May to July 2025, invites two international creators who would engage in creative activities based on the theme “Technology and the future of humanity.”
Open Call for Local Creator Residency Program 2025
Deadline: 2 July 2024
“Local Creator Residency Program” aims to invite distinguished and highly motivated Japan-based creators in the field of visual art, film, design, architecture, and to give opportunities to work in Tokyo. For the period from May to July 2025, two Japan-based creators who would engage in creative activities based on the theme “テクノロジーと人間のかたち｜Technology and the future of humanity.”
Together with two creators of “International Creator Residency Program (Theme Projects),” the 4 creators who work on the theme will seek to actively exchange ideas on the cultural differences in thoughts, recognitions, actions and languages, while working independently on their own projects.
Curator Residency Program
Deadline: 2 July 2024
Tokyo Arts and Space is inviting applications from distinguished and highly motivated curators in the field of curation, art criticism, and cultural research from all over the world and offer them with opportunities to conduct research in Tokyo.
They provide support to allow curators to develop and present their research and ideas. Selected curators are required to give mentoring sessions to local emerging creators, and deliver a public talk.
UNITAR “Leave No One Behind” Training Programme
Deadline: 5 July 2024
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) invites Pacific Island nationals apply for the “Leave No One Behind: Rapid Response to Climate Crises through Early Warning Systems” training programme that will teach individuals how to effectively disseminate, monitor, analyse and respond to early warning systems for climate-related hazards and extreme weather events.
The training programme is offered free of charge, thanks to the financial support of the Government and People of Japan. It is part of UNITAR’s new initiative, “Shimanami Collective: Capacity Building for Asian and Pacific Island Countries”, a series of training programmes to build resilience against disasters and to enhance sea and human.
“Western Balkans Meet Japan” Youth Exchange Program
Deadline: 10 July 2024
Are you intrigued by Japanese culture? Would you like to immerse yourself in a 7-day cultural experience that lets you delve deeper into it? The good news awaits you. Apply for “Western Balkans Meet Japan” Youth Exchange Program.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) are excited to collaborate for the fourth consecutive year to bring you the highly anticipated youth exchange program “Western Balkans meet Japan: A Bridge into the Future”. Taking place from 04-10 December 2024, this program welcomes 14 undergraduate or graduate students aged 20 years old or older, coming from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to apply for a great opportunity of personal and professional growth.
Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize
Deadline: 20 September 2024
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) is seeking applications for the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize to honour individuals with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind.
The Prize consists of two categories: Medical Research which honors individuals and Medical Services which honors individuals and organizations.
NEF Publication Programme to support Scientific Publications
Deadline: 15-Oct-2024
Applications are now open for the NEF Publication Programme to support scientific publications which are derived from applicant’s own research work and will expand knowledge of nature conservation in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Its topic must be on and will expand knowledge of nature conservation in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
NEF Research Grant Programme
Deadline: 15 October 2024
NEF Research Grant Programme is financially supporting academic and scientific research that aims to understand nature, ecosystem, and biodiversity and contribute to conservation actions based on scientific data in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The programme is designed to enhance the research capability of young researchers in that region, and applicants are limited to individual researchers who prepare proposal but not to groups or organisations. They expect the applicants to take this opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge and enrich their experience through their own research work.
UNITAR Training Programme for Young Entrepreneurs in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon
Deadline: 30 June 2024
UNITAR Training Programme “Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Promoting Food Security and Economic Development in Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon” is now accepting applications from young entrepreneurs ages 18 to 45 in Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon.
The programme will be delivered in English and the participants will receive a UNITAR certificate of completion if they complete the course and meet all requirements. The training programme is free of charge and financially supported by the Government and People of Japan.
JFBKK Small Grant Program
Deadline: 10-Aug-2024
Applications are now open for the JFBKK Small Grant Program that provide grants to cover partial expenses to implement projects concerning Japan, in the field of Arts & Culture and Japanese Studies.
International cultural exchange to promote deeper understanding of Japan including projects to enhance Japanese studies in Thailand.
CFPs: DOST-JSPS Joint Research Project (Philippines)
Deadline: 3 September 2024
Applications are now open for the Department of Science and Technology – Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (DOST-JSPS) Joint Research Project which is a bilateral exchange project jointly conducted by Filipino and Japanese researchers in accordance with their mutual agreement on international scientific collaboration.
DOST shall provide annual funding of up to PHP 1.25 million in support of the research project, including international travel expenses between Philippines and Japan; research-related domestic travel expense in the Philippines; medical and accident insurance; and daily allowances, accommodation, and domestic travel expenses in Japan of the Filipino team.
Daiwa Foundation Small Grants for the UK and Japan (£2,000-£9,000)
Deadline: 30-Sep-24
The Daiwa Anglo Japanese Foundation is pleased to announce a Small Grants Programme for individuals, societies, associations or other bodies in the UK or Japan to promote and support interaction between the two countries.
Daiwa Foundation Small Grants can cover all fields of activity, including educational and grassroots exchanges, research travel, the organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and other projects and events that fulfil this broad objective. New initiatives are especially encouraged.
Daiwa Foundation Awards for the UK and Japan (£9,000-£18,000)
Deadline: 30-Sep-24
The Daiwa Anglo Japanese Foundation is currently accepting applications for the Daiwa Foundation Awards for collaborative projects that enable British and Japanese partners to work together in the context of an institutional relationship.
Daiwa Foundation Awards can cover projects in academic, professional, arts, cultural, scientific and educational fields. Awards seek to encourage the development and sustainability of UK-Japan partnerships between such organisations as museums and art galleries, theatres and performing arts groups, schools and universities, and grassroots and professional bodies.
Arts & Culture Small Grant Program – Indonesia and East Timor
Deadline: 14-Jul-2024
The Japan Foundation is providing grants to cover partial expenses to implement arts and cultural projects which promote deeper understanding of Japan or/and encourage cultural collaborations between Japan and Indonesia or East Timor.
Grant available for Basic Science Research Projects – Japan
Deadline: 30 June 2024
The Sumitomo Foundation offers this grant program to promote Basic Science research projects which are deemed imperative but have insufficient funds and particularly seeds research projects by young researchers, where innovative ideas are expected.
Any basic research in each study field of science (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and of multi-study fields of science (incl. fundamental engineering of each study field).
Grant available for Environmental Research Projects – Japan
Deadline: 30 June 2024
The Sumitomo Foundation offers this grant program to address the global environmental issues, one of the most critical issues facing humanity which include the problems such as global warming, ozone layer destruction, acid rain, decrease of species, food and population, desertification, and pollution as well as the challenges such as conservation of biodiversity, use of renewable resources and energy for the realization of carbon neutrality, and achievement of SDGs.
They believe it is necessary to analyze and build countermeasures with a multifaceted approach in order to solve these problems and challenges, and seek for research projects from various perspectives of social sciences, humanities and natural science.
Japanese Studies Mini Grants – Australia
Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
Applications are now open for the Japanese Studies Mini Grants to support small-scale local projects that will further Japan-related scholarship in Australia by contributing to intellectual exchange and the enhancement of academic networks.
This grant aims to support academic projects in the area of Japanese Studies that will deepen understanding and relations between Japan and other countries. Suitable projects include conferences, lectures, presentations and publications conducted/produced in Australia by Australian non-profit organisations. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Japan-U.S. Global Partnerships Small Grant
Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
The Japan Foundation is pleased to announce the Japan-U.S. Global Partnerships Small Grant Program to support to create and develop networks between Japan and the U.S. on grassroots level, and to support Japan-U.S. collaborative efforts to help resolve issues of common concern.
Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects in Maldives
Deadline: 31-Jul-24
The Embassy of Japan in Maldives has launched the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme to provide flexible and quick support to comparatively small-scale development projects which aim to improve the social well-being of people at the grassroots level.
Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme is part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) since 1989. The Government of Japan provides support to non-profit organizations that are engaged in socio-economic development in the Maldives.
Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) in Uganda
Deadline: 31-Jul-24
The Embassy of Japan in Uganda has announced applications for Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project to provide financial assistance to non-profit, development-oriented organizations to support community development projects which directly benefit people at the grassroots level.
Any project geared towards the improved welfare for the grassroots is considered for financing under the GGP scheme; if it is socially and environmentally sound.
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in Pakistan
Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
As part of the official development assistance (ODA) to developing countries, the government of Japan, offers a programme to support non-government organizations (NGOs), community based organizations (CBOs), Local Governments (LGs) and other non-profit organizations, that are working specifically for Basic Human Needs (BHN) in the socio-economic development sectors.
GGP provides flexible and timely support to small scale development projects, which aim to improve the social well being of the people at the grassroots level.
Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects in Rwanda
Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
The Government of Japan has announced Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in order to respond to diverse development needs in developing countries.
The aim of GGP is to provide financial assistance to non-profit development organizations for implementing projects at community level. The KUSANONE mainly covers tangible improvements, such as constructing primary and junior high schools, improving fundamental medical equipment at hospitals, and excavating wells, etc.
18th Japan International MANGA Award
Deadline: 5 July 2024
Application for the 18th Japan International MANGA Award is now open to spread MANGA culture overseas and promote international cultural exchanges through MANGA.
The Japan International MANGA Award will present the Gold Award to the best MANGA work, the Silver Award to three excellent works, and the Bronze Award to approximately eleven other works. Gold and silver Award winners will receive certificates and trophies, and Bronze Award winners will receive certificates.
The Japan Foundation, Manila Arts & Culture Grant 2024 – Philippines
Deadline: 31-Oct-24
The Japan Foundation, Manila is opening its call for proposals for the JFM Arts & Culture Grant (JFMAC) for 2024.
The Japan Foundation, Manila, offers local grants to support activities that promote and deepen understanding of Japan, its language, and culture. Additionally, it supports projects that encourage multilateral cultural exchange between the Philippines and Japan. And through global partnerships, they extend the reach to foster cross-cultural understanding and international collaboration.
Apply for Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects – Armenia
Deadline: 31 July 2024
The Embassy of Japan in Armenia has announced the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) that support NGOs and local public institutions by responding to various development needs in a prompt and precise manner.
The GGP primarily targets projects contributing to the improvement of Basic Human Needs and promotion of “Human Security” at a community level.
