Opportunity Information: Apply for 20210428 FO
The Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan is a discretionary grant program run by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), specifically through its Division of Research Programs, in partnership with the Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC). Its core aim is to strengthen Japan studies in the United States by helping individual scholars carry out high-level research that depends on advanced Japanese language ability and meaningful engagement with Japan-based materials or communities. In practice, the program is meant to deepen U.S. expertise on Japan, expand and sustain scholarly exchange between the United States and Japan, and help develop the next generation of U.S.-based Japan scholars.
The fellowship is geared toward individual researchers rather than organizations, with eligibility listed simply as "Individuals." The expected research profile is one where Japanese-language competence is not incidental but essential: proposed projects should require working directly with Japanese data, primary sources, archives, documents, or other materials, and/or conducting onsite interviews or other forms of direct contact conducted in Japanese. This emphasis signals that the program is looking for projects that cannot be completed effectively through translated sources alone or at a distance, and that demonstrate a clear methodological need for language-based access to evidence.
Projects supported by the fellowship can be carried out in Japan, in the United States, or split between the two, and the program also allows work in other countries when it serves a legitimate comparative purpose. That flexibility makes it suitable for scholars whose research designs involve multi-sited fieldwork, cross-national comparisons, or archival work that spans more than one location, as long as Japan remains central to the research question and the use of Japanese-language sources is integral.
From the funding details provided, the opportunity is categorized under the humanities (with the note to see Cultural Affairs in CFDA), uses a grant as the funding instrument, and is associated with CFDA number 45.160. The award ceiling is listed as $60,000, and the program anticipated making around three awards for the cycle described in the source data. The opportunity was created on January 6, 2021, and the original application closing date for that cycle was April 28, 2021, under funding opportunity number 20210428.Apply for 20210428 FO
- The National Endowment for the Humanities in the humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.160.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 06, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $60,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals.
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Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan (NEH/JUSFC) - FAQs
What is the Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan program?
It is a discretionary grant program run by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through its Division of Research Programs, in partnership with the Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC). The fellowship supports individual scholars conducting advanced research on Japan that depends on strong Japanese-language ability and direct engagement with Japan-based materials or communities.
What is the main purpose of this fellowship?
The program aims to strengthen Japan studies in the United States by helping scholars complete high-level research that requires advanced Japanese language skills and meaningful use of Japanese sources, evidence, archives, documents, data, or Japan-based communities. It is intended to deepen U.S. expertise on Japan, expand and sustain scholarly exchange between the United States and Japan, and help develop the next generation of U.S.-based Japan scholars.
Who runs and funds the fellowship?
The program is administered by NEH (Division of Research Programs) in partnership with the Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Individuals." The fellowship is geared toward individual researchers rather than organizations.
Are organizations allowed to apply on behalf of a scholar?
Based on the provided eligibility information, the opportunity is intended for individuals (not organizations).
What kinds of research projects are a good fit for this fellowship?
Projects where Japanese-language competence is essential, not incidental. Proposals should demonstrate a clear methodological need to work directly with Japanese-language data or materials and/or to conduct direct contact (such as onsite interviews) in Japanese.
Does the project need advanced Japanese language skills?
Yes. The core emphasis is that proposed research depends on advanced Japanese language ability and direct engagement with Japanese-language materials and/or Japanese-speaking communities.
What does it mean that Japanese language ability must be "essential" to the project?
It means the project should require working directly with Japanese sources or conducting research activities in Japanese (for example, using archives, documents, primary sources, data, or interviews conducted in Japanese). The program is looking for projects that cannot be completed effectively using translations alone or by working entirely at a distance.
What types of evidence or materials are expected in supported projects?
The opportunity highlights research that uses Japanese data, primary sources, archives, documents, or other Japanese-language materials, and/or includes onsite interviews or other direct contact conducted in Japanese.
Where can the fellowship research be conducted?
Research can be carried out in Japan, in the United States, or split between the two.
Can research take place in countries other than Japan or the United States?
Yes. Work in other countries is allowed when it serves a legitimate comparative purpose, as long as Japan remains central to the research question and Japanese-language sources are integral to the project.
Does the program support multi-sited or comparative research designs?
Yes. The flexibility to conduct work in Japan, the United States, or other countries (for comparative purposes) makes it suitable for multi-sited fieldwork, cross-national comparisons, or archival work spanning more than one location, provided Japan remains central and Japanese-language use is integral.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling listed is $60,000.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The source data indicates the program anticipated making around three awards for the cycle described.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The opportunity uses a grant as the funding instrument.
What subject area does this program fall under?
It is categorized under the humanities (with a note to see Cultural Affairs in CFDA).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 45.160.
What is the funding opportunity number for the cycle described?
The funding opportunity number provided is 20210428.
What were the key dates for the cycle described in the information provided?
The opportunity was created on January 6, 2021, and the original application closing date for that cycle was April 28, 2021.
Is this a mandatory or discretionary grant program?
It is described as a discretionary grant program.
What is the program trying to achieve beyond funding individual projects?
Beyond supporting individual research, it is intended to deepen U.S. expertise on Japan, expand and sustain scholarly exchange between the United States and Japan, and contribute to developing the next generation of U.S.-based Japan scholars.
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