1.Overall questions about the “Support Program for Organizations in Japanese-Language Education (Grants)”
Q1:
There is an overseas office of the Japan Foundation in my country. Are there any programs that we can apply to?
A:
For countries that have the Japan Foundation's overseas offices (except for Russia, Cambodia and Laos), aid is rendered through that local office.
Each overseas office will operate programs suited to the Japanese-language education requirements of the country. Please contact the Foundation's local office for details. The Japan Foundation's overseas offices contact information
Q2:
What kind of activity is eligible for a "Japanese-Language Activities Support Grant"?
A:
The grant supports any kind of activity that will enhance the motivation of a Japanese-language learner or provide an opportunity for people who wish to learn Japanese. Japanese speech contests, quiz contests using Japanese, debates, and presentations in Japanese are some examples of activities considered appropriate.
Q3:
Do you have a program that will support the salaries of the Japanese teacher(s) at our school?
A:
Yes. “Support Program for Organizations in Japanese-Language Education (Grants)” partially covers the salaries given to Japanese-language teachers teaching the Japanese-language courses and to the staff carrying out activities to enhance the network of Japanese-language institutions in the applicant’s region/country. In principle, this grant covers them for up to three years (36 months). This grant is given on the condition that the course or activities are continued after the grant from the Japan Foundation ends. Applicant should submit the plan to become financially independent of our grant.
Q4:
Can we apply for aid for operations not listed in the “5. Program Description” section of the Application Instructions?
A:
If the operation has the effect of popularizing the Japanese language or contributes to the development of Japanese-language education, a grant application may be entered under the heading of “Other Original Proposals.”
Furthermore, a grant application may be entered combining multiple operations in the activities listing. Please note, however, that there are elements that are not eligible, so please check the “(2) Grant Coverage” portion in the “5. Program Description” section of the Application Instructions.
Q5:
Are national or public organizations eligible to apply?
A:
If the organizations are involved in Japanese-language education, they are eligible.
2. Questions about filling out the application forms
Q1:
If one organization applies for more than one project, are application forms A Application Form, B Institutional Information Materials and C Bank Account Information necessary to be submitted for each project?
A:
If the application is from the same organization or entity, just 1 copy of A through C is sufficient. However, please make sure that in cases where the representative or the bank account for receiving the grant money is different for each project, forms A Application Form and C Bank Account Information will be required for each individual project.
Q2:
For the required attachment of “Brochure of the Institution” in application form “D Project Sheet (Ⅰ)-(Ⅵ),” if we do not have one, should one be created?
A:
The "Brochure of the Institution" need only be attached if you currently have such material. Please also note that should these materials be in languages other than Japanese or English, a summary of the contents in either Japanese or English is also required.
Q3:
To apply for “Other Original Proposal” (form D Project Sheet (Ⅳ), must “Details of the project” be handed in?
A:
With regard to the screening process, the validity and necessity of the project are the primary concerns for the grant decision and therefore the full description of the project becomes the most important material for consideration. And hence details of the project are required as an attachment.
Q4:
There are 5 sets of “Projects” in A Application Form. Should we fill in all of them? We are planning to apply for the expenses for purchase of teaching materials and salaries of a lecturer and staff to organize a Japanese-language course.
A:
You don’t need to fill in all of them and should fill in just the project(s) for which you want to apply. In your case, please apply for 2 projects and choose both “Teaching Material Purchase Grant(Ⅲ)” for the purchase of teaching materials and “Salary Assistance Grant (Ⅱ)” for the salaries of a lecturer and staff.
Q5:
We would like to apply for 6 projects. Can we do that?
A:
It is possible to apply for up to five projects.
3. Questions about the “Teaching Material Purchase Grant”
Q1:
How should teaching materials be purchased? Is there a list?
A:
There is no set list from which you must purchase. It is up to the discretion of each applying organization to decide what is necessary based on the current needs. Further, the materials need not even be published in Japan. Teaching materials include e-books. For e-books please see here. The web pages below may be of use in the searching and procuring teaching materials.
If we are planning to purchase teaching materials from abroad (including from Japan), is it possible to include the costs of postage etc. in the budget of application?
A:
It is also possible to include these in the budget of application. In this case, please make sure to fill in the field of “shipping cost, etc.” portion in an attachment“List of materials the institution plans to buy” of application form D (Ⅲ). And please fill the total sum of all costs related to the purchase of teaching materials including expenses such as postage fees, in the field of “Total”on the list.
Q3:
If we are planning to purchase teaching materials from bookstore or e-book supplier in Japan, is it possible to ask to the Japan Foundation to pay the cost to purchase directly to the bookstore or e-book supplier in Japan from the Japan Foundation?
A:
Yes. The Japan Foundation can remit the grant directly to the bookstore or the e-book supplier when the applicant delegates its right to receive the grant to the bookstore or the e-book supplier. However, it is limited to bookstore or e-book supplier in Japan. Please fill out "5. Does your institution want the Japan Foundation to pay the grant directly to the bookstore or e-book supplier in Japan?" (2) Project Type（Ⅲ）of the application form C Bank Account Information whether to request or not. If you request it, please keep in mind that a copy of the estimate of teaching materials to be purchased made by bookstore e-book supplier in Japan will be required as an attachment.
4．Questions about Grant for online projects
Q1:
Can we apply for online projects?
A:
Yes. Because many Japanese-language programs came to use online facilities under the influence of the outbreak of COVID-19, the Japan Foundation decided to cover the related cost of online projects. Please see “(2) Grant Coverage” portion in the “5. Program Description” section of the Application Instructions.
Q2:
What kind of cost will be covered?
A:
In practice, rental fees for equipment, fees for using services, and communication charges, outsourcing expenses to implement online projects, fees for special training lessons, charges for using websites that require payment, etc. will be covered. Please see “(2) Grant Coverage” portion in the “5. Program Description” section of the Application Instructions.
Q3:
Could the purchase cost for any personal computers or projectors in order to improve our educational environment be covered?
A:
No, the purchase cost for equipment cannot be covered, but rental fees for the required equipment during the project period could be covered.
