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 21 countries (as of August 2011).

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 Foundation
The Japan Foundation carries out 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 on-going 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 JFIC Library.

B. Instructions for Using the Program Guidelines

1. Outline of Applicable Programs
The Japan Foundation invites individuals and organizations that are planning international exchange projects to participate in programs of the Japan Foundation. Successful applicants are provided with grants, research scholarships, Japanese-language training programs, and other forms 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 2012-2013 (i.e., the fiscal year from April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013) outline the full array 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 2012-2013 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
Applicants can obtain application forms by downloading the appropriate form (s) from the Japan Foundation website. Applicants can get hardcopy format application forms at the local Japan Foundation office in the applicant's country of residence, or the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan, as outlined in section 4: "Where to Submit Application Forms."

4. Where to Submit Application Forms

(1) Applicants located in Japan are requested to submit applications to the section in charge at the Japan Foundation headquarters in Tokyo.

(2) Applicants located outside Japan are requested to submit applications to the local Japan Foundation office (the list of the overseas offices of the Japan Foundation). If there is no Japan Foundation office located in the applicant's country of residence, the applicant should make contact with the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan.

5. Notes

(1) Applicants are requested to check application eligibility criteria of the programs of interest (e.g., whether the program solicits applications in Japan or outside Japan, or whether the program accepts applications from organizations or individuals). In particular, applicants intending to submit an application from outside of Japan are required to locate the appropriate office where applications should be submitted. Also, please be sure to contact the appropriate office by telephone or e-mail prior to submitting any application, to ensure that an applicant has identified the appropriate office to send an application, and an applicant is eligible to apply for the program being considered.

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

(3) Applicants should post the application form to ensure delivery by the closing date. If an applicant wishes to receive confirmation of receipt, please include a stamped, self-addressed postcard (blank reverse side) to be used for returning the confirmation notice.

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

6. Inquiries

(1) Prospective applicants from within Japan should contact the section in charge at Japan Foundation headquarter.

(2) Prospective applicants from outside Japan should contact the nearest Japan Foundation office. (If there is no regional office in applicant's country of residence contact should be made with the nearest Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan.)

C. Application Procedures and Conditions

This section focuses on explaining common procedures and conditions applicable to all programs. Please refer to 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 the applicant's 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 organizations.

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

d) When 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 Not supported by the Japan Foundation
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 apply to projects in specific regions or countries only. Please check the eligibility of the program you are applying for. (The list applicable areas and countries).

3. Selection Policy
Selection policy of each program is explained in the respective program descriptions in the Program Guidelines. In addition, promoting good relations between Japan and other countries is the overriding policy of the Japan Foundation. As such, the Japan Foundation considers policy aspects when reviewing applications: 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 commemorative events (tentative translation):

a. Japan-Israel 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (2012) (Priority country: Israel)

b. Year of Peace Japan-Timor-Leste 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (2012) (Priority country: Timor-Leste)

c. ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year 2013 (2013) (Priority countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia)

B) List of target programs
·Grant Program for Cultural Presentation
·Exhibitions Abroad Support Program
·Support Program for Visual Arts Events Abroad at the Grass-roots Level
·Grant Program for Overseas Performances
·Support Program for Overseas Activities for Youth and Citizens in Film, TV and Publication

(2) Applicants to some programs may be asked to indicate the relevance of their projects to commemorative cultural events, including (1)-A) above, or major art festivals overseas. Applicants should specify the relevance (if any) in the application form, as this may be a matter for consideration when 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) Japanese Studies Fellowship Program
In the U.S., individuals who fall into any of the following three categories can apply for the Japanese Studies Fellowship Program. Applicants must submit applications on-line via the website of the Japan Foundation, New York, by no later than November 1, 2011:

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.

(2) 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. For further information, reference should also be made to the CGP's Grant Application Guidelines for U.S. Applicants.

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) The Japan Foundation handles personal information appropriately and in accordance with the Law Concerning Access to Personal Information Held by Independent Administrative Institutions (Law No. 59 of 2003). Details of the Japan Foundation's personal information protection policy can be reviewed at the following website (Japanese only):

b) The Japan Foundation may in certain cases use personal information to inform recipients of grants of other Japan Foundation activities or to send recipients of grants 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 website, and in other public-relations materials. Personal information is also used to compile statistics appearing 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 applicable Areas and Countries in The Japan Foundation Programs

( as of August 2011 )

Regions	Countries
East Asia	People's Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan＊
Southeast Asia	Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam
South Asia	Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Oceania	Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
North America	Canada, United States of America
Central America	Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint 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, United Kingdom, Vatican
Eastern Europe	Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Former Yugoslav Republic of 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, United Arab Emirates, 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 the Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The 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, Republic of South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

 

*The Japan Foundation cooperates with the Interchange Association, Japan, on Taiwan Projects. The Japan Foundation will not provide support to project if it is eligible for programs of the Interchange Association, Japan. For further Information, please contact the section in charge at Japan Foundation headquarters or the Interchange Association, Japan, Taipei office as described in application instructions of each program.