Funding Opportunity for

Individuals

Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan

Maximum award amount

$60,000 ($5,000 per month)

Expected Output

Article; Book; Digital Resource or Publication; Edition; Other Scholarly Resource; Translation

Period of performance

Six to twelve months
JUSFC and NEH logos

NEH has moved to a shared payment service operated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and can no longer deposit funds for awards to individuals into an institutional bank account. Starting with awards issued August 2024, NEH will make payment to a personal bank account only.

The Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan program is a joint activity of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The goals of the program are to promote Japan studies in the United States, to encourage U.S.-Japanese scholarly exchange, and to foster the next generation of Japan scholars in the United States. 
 
Awards support research and writing on modern Japanese society and political economy, Japan's international relations, and U.S.-Japan relations. The program encourages innovative research that puts these subjects in wider regional and global contexts, is comparative and contemporary in nature, and contributes to scholarly knowledge or to the general public’s understanding. Appropriate disciplines include anthropology, economics, geography, history, international relations, linguistics, political science, psychology, and sociology. Awards must lead to a product, such as an article, monograph, book, e-book, digital material, translation, edition, or other scholarly resource.

Special Encouragement for Junior Scholars

In keeping with the JUSFC’s commitment to foster the next generation of leaders in developing and maintaining the Japan-U.S. relationship, NEH encourages applications to this program from junior scholars (that is, scholars who have earned their terminal degree within the last seven years). Mid-career and senior scholars are also welcome to apply.

2025 Online Information Session for Applicants

A live online information session for applicants will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 2-3 p.m. Eastern. The session will explain the program's goals, the eligibility requirements, and how to prepare and submit an application. The main presentation will last about 30 minutes. It will be followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer period. A recording of the session will be posted on this web page approximately one week later, and will remain available through the April 23, 2025, application deadline. To register for the information session, please click here.

Examples of Projects Funded by this Grant Program

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Application Instructions

Review your application package

Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity to ensure you understand all the expectations and restrictions for projects delivered under this grant and are prepared to write the most effective application.

Application Materials

Notice of Funding Opportunity, 2025

Grants.gov application package

Program Resources

Frequently Asked Questions, 2025 (PDF)

List of previously funded projects in this program

Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence for NEH Grant Proposals

Sample Application Narratives

The application format has changed since these applications were submitted. You must follow the format explained in the current Notice of Funding Opportunity (available at the link above, under “Application Materials”).

The Paralympic Movement, Sports, and Disability in Postwar Japan

Environmental Politics in East Asia

The Negotiation of Burakumin Identity in Contemporary Japan

Register for an account on Grants.gov

When you are ready to apply, register for a Grants.gov account. If you already have registered, make sure the account is current. After registering, you must add an “individual applicant” profile. Click on the “My Account” link, then on “Manage Profiles” and “Add Profile.” Refer to Grants.gov’s instructions for adding a profile.

Complete your application package

Follow the instructions outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Grants.gov instructions.

Submit your application package on Grants.gov

You will receive a confirmation from Grants.gov when you've successfully submitted your application. 

Verify you have received email messages from Grants.gov

NEH will request letters of reference from your recommenders approximately seven to ten days after the application deadline. You will be notified by email when each of your letters of reference has been received. Once you receive final confirmation of receipt from Grants.gov, you may check the status of your letters by logging in to the secure area of NEH’s website. Enter your NEH application number and your Grants.gov tracking number. You will be able to see the names and e-mail addresses of your letter writers and whether their letters have arrived. If necessary, you may send reminders to your letter writers (including the upload link) from this site. You are responsible for ensuring that your letter writers have received the solicitations from NEH and submitted their letters.