Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan is sponsored by National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and Japan-United States Friendship Commission (JUSFC). This joint program supports advanced social science research on modern Japanese society and political economy, Japan's international relations, and U.S.-Japan relations. 'Modern' in this context means post-1868.

The fellowships provide recipients with time to conduct research or produce scholarly materials.

Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan $60,000 ($5,000 per month) Article; Book; Digital Resource or Publication; Edition; Other Scholarly Resource; Translation 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. NEH encourages submissions from independent scholars and junior scholars. Japan fellowships grants awards are paid directly to the applicant, not to their institutions.

You can apply to only one program at each deadline.

Examples of Projects Funded by this Grant Program Beyond the Buraku: The Negotiation of Burakumin Identity in Contemporary Japan In the Eyes of Others: Suicide and Meaning in Contemporary Japan Nuclear Minds: Cold War Psychological Science and Hiroshima Review your application package Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Program Announcement for Japan Fellowships to ensure you understand all the expectations and restrictions for projects delivered under this grant and are prepared to write an effective application.

Japan Fellowships Program Announcement, 2026 (PDF) Individual Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity, 2026 (PDF) Grants. gov application package 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 .

Grants. gov Applicant Registration Guidance 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.