CFAs: Ishibashi Foundation/The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Research on Japanese Art

Benefits

• Grant coverage:
  • The following are provided to successful applicants (hereinafter called “Fellows”):
    • Per Diem: 17,000 yen/day
    • Airfare: Round-trip discount economy-class airfare (the most direct route)
    • Insurance: Overseas traveler’s insurance policy (the insurance coverage will be determined by the Ishibashi Foundation/Japan Foundation)
    • Research Allowance: A maximum of 100,000 yen (the amount varies according to the duration of the Fellowship)
    • Fellowship period: 21 days to 59 days.

Eligible Activities

• The research project related to Japanese visual arts should have clear objectives and plans to achieve its goal. The project should necessitate travel to Japan in order to carry out research intensively, over a short period of time. The main target area is contemporary Japanese art. Priority will be given to projects that include in its proposals, plans for research results to be shared widely among the overseas public through the implementation of exhibitions or the publication of books.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individuals who conduct the activities stipulated in “Eligible Area and Activities” living in a country outside of Japan (curators, researchers, educators, conservators, etc.). All of the following criteria must be met:
  • Applicants must hold nationality (or permanent residency) in countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan.
  • Applicants must be in good health both physically and mentally.
  • Applicants must be proficient in either Japanese or English.
  • Applicants must be able to stay continuously in Japan for the term of fellowship.
  • Applicants must not violate the law or regulations of their own country by receiving a fellowship from the Japan Foundation.
  • Individuals who do not apply for other grant programs of the Japan Foundation.
  • Previous recipients of Japan Foundation Fellowships (not only the Fellowship for Research on Japanese Art but also all the other Fellowships of the Japan Foundation) are eligible to reapply only if, on April 1, 2025, a full three years has elapsed since the termination of their most recent Fellowship.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individuals meeting any of the following conditions are not eligible to apply:
  • Those who intend to conduct research in an area other than Japanese visual arts.
  • Those who intend to create artworks.
  • Undergraduates; master’s degree candidates; those intending to enroll in undergraduate or master’s courses at universities in Japan; or graduates who are to pursue Ph.D. courses in Japan.
  • Those who intend to use this Fellowship for political or religious purposes.
  • Those who intend to work for profit-making or fund-raising purposes.
  • Those who intend to enhance their Japanese-language ability.
  • Those who plan to receive other grants concurrently with this Fellowship.
  • Those who apply for other grant programs of the Japan Foundation in the same fiscal year.

For more information, visit The Japan Foundation.