JF-USSC Japan-Australia Dialogue and Exchange for Next Generation (JADE)

  • university of Sydney USSC exterior
    USSC
  • portrait of Dr. Green
    Dr. Green
  • portrait of Dr. Lee
    Dr. Lee

The Japan Foundation (JF) and United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney (USSC) have established two parallel and interrelated Japan-Australia fellowship programs to strengthen connections between Japanese and Australian policy experts and research institutes and to cultivate the next generation of policy-savvy Japan experts based in Australia and Australia experts based in Japan.
Participants will experience field trips to Japan or Australia, writing opportunities, research engagements with key government and industry players, and mentorship by senior USSC experts – including Dr Michael J. Green, CEO of the USSC and Dr. Lavina Lee, Director of the Foreign Policy and Defense Program.

Program

a. Japanese participants
The USSC hosted five visiting fellows from Japan for one week, from 27 to 31 July 2026. These researchers will be provided with opportunities for mentorship, research assistance and engagement with the Australian government, industry, and policy communities. Each fellow is required to produce two written works as part of their residency on topics agreed upon with USSC experts. These works will be published on the USSC and the Japan Foundation’s websites.
*Fellows’ transport, accommodation, and meal costs will be covered.
b. Australian participants
The USSC selected five emerging Australian thinkers and scholars with demonstrable interest in deepening their knowledge of Japanese politics and strategy to participate in a week-long research trip to Japan with USSC mentors in 26 to 30 October, 2026. These fellows will be given opportunities to engage with the Japan Foundation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, key parliamentarians, and research institutes. Each fellow will be required to produce two written works as part of their fellowship on topics agreed upon with USSC experts. These works will be published on the USSC and the Japan Foundation’s websites.
*Fellows’ transport, accommodation, and meal costs will be covered.

Field of research of Cohort 3

“Australia-Japan relation at 50 years since the NARA treaty – What are the challenges and opportunities for elevating the bilateral relations?”

*Themes will include: Marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the NARA treaty, the cohort explores how Japan and Australia can further advance their partnership. They will consider the roles both countries play, areas for cooperation, and the challenges that lie ahead from a wide range of perspectives, including diplomacy, trade, development, international rules and norms, and security. (Field of research of Cohort 1 was Maritime Security, and Cohort 2 was The Future of the free, open and stable international order)

Application Deadline

June 8, 2026（Monday）by 11:59 p.m. (Australian Eastern Time)

Fellowship period & schedule of Cohort 3

  • The fellowship period will be from July 2026 to March 2027.
  • The field trip for Japanese participants to Australia will be from 26 to 31 July 2026(TBC).
  • The Cohort will participate in “Australia-Japan Symposium at the 50th year anniversary of the NARA Treaty ” on 28 July 2026 in Sydney
  • The field trip for Australian participants to Japan will be in 26 to 30 October 3 2026(TBC).

Number of awardees

Five Australians and Five Japanese

Application guidelines

Please visit the USSC website

Information Session

Scheduled to be held online on Friday, 17 April 2026 (Registration required)

Meet the Fellows

Cohort 1 Activity Report

Australia Program (29 July - 8 August 2024)

Over the course of two weeks, three Japanese fellows conducted a research visit across multiple cities in Australia (Sydney, Canberra, and Perth), engaging in roundtable discussions with USSC experts, exchanging views with diplomatic, political, and business leaders, authoring academic papers, and speaking at public events to foster international exchange.

  • Exchange of opinions between three Japanese fellows and USSC experts

  • Group photo of Japanese fellows, USSC experts, and business representatives

Japan Program (2 – 7 February 2025)

Together with program mentors Dr. Michael Green and Professor Peter Dean, four Australian fellows visited relevant government agencies, private companies, and research institutions.
They participated in briefings and discussions on this year’s theme, “Maritime Security.” On the final day, they were joined by the three Japanese fellows for a presentation and networking event, concluding a week of deepening mutual understanding and dialogue between Japan and Australia.

  • Briefing scene

  • Group photo of participants and related parties

Report of Cohort 1 Fellows (PDF：9.2MB)

United States Study Center(USSC）Website

About USSC
About | United States Studies Centre (ussc.edu.au)

About opening ceremony for JADE Fellows
createsend.com/t/j-1DA7E12877905FFD2540EF23F30FEDED

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