A. Introduction to the Japan Foundation

History

The Japan Foundation was established in 1972 as a special legal entity to undertake international cultural exchange and was subsequently reorganized as an independent administrative institution in October 2003. The Japan Foundation consists of a head office in Tokyo, a branch office in Kyoto, two Japanese-language institutes (Urawa and Kansai), and 22 overseas offices in 20 countries (as of August 2009).

Purpose
The purpose of the Japan Foundation is: "To contribute to a better international environment, and to the maintenance and development of harmonious foreign relationships with Japan, through deepening other nations' understanding of Japan, promoting better mutual understanding among nations, encouraging friendship and goodwill among the peoples of the world, and contributing to the world in culture and other fields through the efficient and comprehensive implementation of international cultural exchange activities."(Independent Administrative Institution Japan Foundation Law, Article 3)

Programs and Activities of the Japan Fondation
The Japan Foundation carries out its programs and activities in the following three major categories:

Each program within these categories supports international exchange activities by individuals and organizations. The Japan Foundation also plans and stages events, and provides continuous support for universities and other organizations overseas. Provision of information obtained through research is another activity of the Japan Foundation.
The Japan Foundation Information Center (JFIC) provides information on international cultural exchange through media such as its website and the periodical Wochi Kochi, and through the JFIC Library.

B. Instructions for Using the Program Guidelines

1. Introduction of Applicable Programs
The Japan Foundation invites individuals and organizations that are planning international exchange projects to participate in our programs. Successful applicants are provided with grants, research scholarships, Japanese-language teaching materials, or other types of support. A variety of programs are organized by category and objective, each with its own stipulated conditions.
Anyone or any organization satisfying eligibility requirements and meeting program objectives is welcome to apply to programs.
The Japan Foundation screens the applications and provides support to successful applicants.

2. Finding the Right Program

(1) The Japan Foundation Program Guidelines for Fiscal 2010-2011 (i.e., the fiscal year from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011) outlines the full list of the Japan Foundation's applicable programs. These guidelines are prepared to assist individuals and organizations that are planning to undertake international exchange projects in fiscal 2010 to identify the relevant programs.

(2) If you find in the Program Guidelines a program to which you wish to apply, after reading the attached instructions, please obtain the application forms, fill out the forms, and submit the application by the deadline to the office specified.

3. How to Obtain Application Forms:
You can obtain application forms by:

(1) Download the appropriate form from the Japan Foundation website; or

(2) Contact the local Japan Foundation office in your country of residence, or the the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan, as outlined in section 4(below): "Where to Submit Application Forms", to request hardcopy format application forms to be sent to you.

4. Where to Submit Application Forms

(1) If you are located in Japan, submit your application to the section in charge at the Japan Foundation headquarters in Tokyo.

(2) If you are located outside Japan, submit your application to the local Japan Foundation office. If there is no Japan Foundation office in your country of residence, please contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan.

5. Notes

(1) Please check application eligibility criteria of the programs of interest (for example, whether the program solicits applications in Japan or outside Japan, or whether the program accepts applications from organizations or individuals). Particularly, if you intend to submit an application from outside of Japan, please be sure to locate the office where your application should be submitted, and make contact by telephone or e-mail before submitting your application, to ensure you have identified the appropriate office to send your application and that you are eligible to apply for the program you are considering.

(2) The deadline for applications and the frequency of solicitation vary among programs. Please read the details of each program outlined in the Program Guidelines.

(3) Post the application form to ensure delivery by the closing date. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard (blank reverse side) for the confirmation notice to be sent back to you.

(4) The Japan Foundation does not accept applications submitted through the Internet, by e-mail, or by fax.

6. Inquiries

(1) For prospective applicants from within Japan, please contact the section in charge at the Japan Foundation headquarters.

(2) For prospective applicants from outside Japan, please contact your nearest Japan Foundation office. (If there is no regional office in your country of residence, please contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan.)

C. Application Procedures and Conditions

This section mainly explains the common procedures and conditions which apply for all the programs. Please also read the outline of each program in the following chapters. Please note, some programs require further procedures and stipulate additional conditions.

1. Conditions Common to All Programs

(1) Affiliation of Applicant (Individual or Organization)
Some programs are designed for individual applicants, while other programs are for organizations. For organizations, a voluntary organization without legal status can also apply for a program, but is requested to attach to the application form documentation certifying the establishment of their organization (e.g., Articles of Incorporation).

(2) Eligibility of the Applicant

a) Applicants must have the capabilities necessary for implementing the planned projects.

b) When the applicants are organizations, applicants must not be commercial organization.

c) The receipt of grants or support from the Japan Foundation must not violate any laws, regulations, or ordinances.

d) When the applicants are organizations, applicants must have a bank account in the organization's name in order to receive grant money from the Japan Foundation.

(3) In principle, the Japan Foundation does not provide grants for:

a) the Japanese government (including national institutions), Japanese local municipalities (including municipal schools and universities and other municipal institutions), Japanese independent administrative institutions, Japanese local independent administrative institutions, Japanese national university corporations (including national secondary schools), and lower branches of the above-mentioned organizations;

b) Foreign governments, including their administrative organs and their embassies and consulates-general in Japan (exceptions being academic, cultural, or research institutes, such as universities and museums); and

c) International organizations to which the Japanese government makes a financial contribution.

(4) Policy limiting support to individuals or organizations for a maximum of three consecutive years
For individuals or organizations that have continually received support from the same program for the past three fiscal years, unless the Japan Foundation believes there is a compelling reason to continue receiving such support, the policy is not to provide grants for the fourth fiscal year. This is a measure to avoid giving ongoing support to the same applicants, and to distribute grants to as many applicants as possible. Applicants can apply for the same program for a fourth consecutive fiscal year, but please be aware that the Japan Foundation places a lower priority on such applications.

(5) Project Categories the Japan Foundation will not support
The Japan Foundation will not support:

a) projects for religious or political purposes.

b) projects for profit-making purposes.

2. Eligible Regions and Countries
Some programs are intended to cover projects in specific regions or countries only. Please check the outline of each program to ensure the country in which you will conduct your activities is eligible for the program which you are considering to apply for. (The list and definition of areas and countries).

3. Selection Policy
Selection policy of each program is explained in the respective program descriptions in the Program Guidelines. In addition, it is the Japan Foundation's overall policy to promote good relations between Japan and other countries. As such, the Japan Foundation considers policy aspects in reviewing applications, such as: regional distribution of projects, expected contribution to bilateral diplomatic relations or to important commemorative events etc.

4. Prioritization Policy toward Projects Related to Major Commemorative Events

(1) Applications related to the major commemorative cultural events listed under A) below will be given higher priority when screening programs listed under B).

A) List of major commemorative events:

・ Japan Year 2010 in Turkey
(Target country: Turkey)

・ Super Festival: Japan-Mexico 400 (2010)
(Target country: Mexico)

B) List of target programs
Grant Program for Cultural Presentation Abroad
Grant Program for Cultural Exchange at the Grass-roots Level
Exhibitions Abroad Support Program
Support Program for Art Event Abroad at the Grass-roots Level
Grant Program for Overseas Performances

(2) Applicants to some programs may be asked to indicate the relevance of their projects to large-scale cultural events, including (1)-A) above, or major art festivals overseas. Please specify the relevance, if any, in the application form, as it may be a subject for consideration in screening the application.

5. Examples of Projects Accepted
The Japan Foundation's website lists examples of projects which have been accepted in recent years.

6. Deadlines
The deadline for application and the frequency of solicitation vary among programs. Please be sure to read the outline of each program in the Program Guidelines.

7. Applicants from the U.S.A.

(1) Center for Global Partnership Programs (CGP)
Methods and deadlines for Center for Global Partnership programs (CGP) are different from those of other Japan Foundation programs. Please refer to the CGP’s Grant Application Guidelines for U.S. Applicants for further information.

(2) Japanese Studies Fellowship Program
In the U.S., individuals who fall into either of the following three categories can apply for the Japanese Studies Fellowship Program. Applicants should submit completed application forms to the Japan Foundation, New York, by no later than November 2, 2009:

a) U.S. citizens who reside within the U.S.

b) U.S. citizens who reside outside of the U.S. and who do not have permanent-resident status in their country of domicile; and

c) citizens of any country who reside in the U.S. with permanent-resident status.

Application forms for U.S. applicants to this program are also distributed by the Japan Foundation, New York, through its website.

8. Other Matters

(1) Disclosure of Information

a) Details of projects supported by the Japan Foundation (e.g., name of the applicant and project description) will be made public in the Kokusai Koryu Kikin Jigyo Jisseki (Detailed Annual Report of the Japan Foundation Activities) on the Japan Foundation's website, and in other public-relations materials.

b) When a request for information based on the "Law Concerning the Disclosure of Information Held by Independent Administrative Institutions, Etc." (Law No. 140 of 2001), is received, materials such as submitted application forms will be disclosed (unless stipulated by law as not to be disclosed).

(2) Protection of Personal Information

a) In accordance with the Law Concerning Access to Personal Information Held by Independent Administrative Institutions (Law No. 59 of 2003), the Japan Foundation handles personal information appropriately. For further details of the Japan Foundation's personal information protection policy, please refer to the following website.

b) There may be cases in which the Japan Foundation uses personal information to inform grantees of other Japan Foundation activities or to send them public-relations materials, as well as for screening, implementation, and evaluation procedures of projects. Personal information such as a grantee’s name, project title, and affiliation is also carried in the Detailed Annual Report of the Japan Foundation Activities, the Annual Report, on the Japan Foundation’s website, and in other public-relations materials. Personal information is also used in compiling statistics carried in the Annual Report. For details regarding the use of personal information in each program, please refer to each program’s Application Instructions.

(3) Legal Regulations applicable to Grants from the Japan Foundation
The Japan Foundation Grant Programs are operated in accordance with relevant Japanese laws including the "Law for the Proper Execution of a Budget Relating to Subsidies" (Law. No.179 of 1955) as specified in Article 13 of the "Independent Administrative Institution Japan Foundation Law" (Law. No.137 of 2002).

 

9. List and Definition of Areas and Countries from which Applications Are Accepted

Note: Citizens or organizations of countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Japan are not eligible to apply.

( as of August 2009 )

Regions	Countries
East Asia	China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia
Southeast Asia	Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam
South Asia	Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Oceania	Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
North America	Canada, U.S.A
Central America	Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Commonwealth of Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
South America	Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
Western Europe	Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., Vatican
Eastern Europe	Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Middle East	Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, U.A.E., Yemen
North Africa	Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia
Africa	Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe