Japan 2014 International Research Grants of SKM fund 

Applications are invited for research grants in the field of Humanities (Cultural Science) or Social Sciences. Research relates to the themes that help in deepen the researcher’s understanding and awareness of Japanese or Asian/Oceanian society and culture and enhance international interchanges among them in the future. Awards are available for foreign students or researchers from an Asia-Pacific country (East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Oceania) who are currently staying in Japan.

Qualifications for Grant Application:

• Grants shall be conferred for individual research (not group research) in the field of Humanities (Cultural Science) or Social Sciences, with special emphasis on themes that help deepen the researcher’s understanding and awareness of Japanese or Asian/Oceanian society and culture and enhance international interchanges among them in the future.
• Applicants shall meet all of the following requirements on the date of both the application deadline and grant subsidization.
• Foreign students or researchers from an Asia-Pacific country/area listed below who are currently staying in Japan.

1. 1. East Asia Korea, China, Taiwan, Mongolia
   2. Southeast Asia Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos
   3. South Asia India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives
   4. Oceania Australia, New Zealand, Island countries in Oceanian region

• Students or researchers who are presently enrolled in a doctorate program (not in a master program) of Japanese universities. Those who already received or will receive doctorate degrees before the issuance date of the grant are not allowed to apply.
• Students or researchers who are recommended by their supervising professors or mentors.

Grant Particulars:

• The Kobayashi Fund will provide each grantee with a research grant to be used for expenses (transportation/accommodation for travel, purchase of reference books/archives, etc.) pertaining to the research activities in Japan and Asia-Pacific countries/regions.

Grant Amount:

• Maximum 1,200,000 yen per grantee will be available to approximately 32 grantees. An amount from 240,000 to 960,000 yen per grantee was provided to 32 grantees for the 2013 program. (Depending upon the results of the Grantee Screening Committee’s assessment, the actual amount for some grantees could be less than the originally requested amount.)

Grant Duration:

• The duration of the grant shall be for one year from the date of the grant.

Regrant:

• Anyone who has received the grant before may apply again. Such applicants should describe the reason for the re-grant with the outline of the research previously granted. A re-grant is available for existing grantees or ex-grantees only once.

Reponsibilities of Grantee:

• The grantee shall conduct research according to the research schedule submitted. Within three months after the end of the grant period, the grantee shall submit a research report (approximately 30 pages in A4 size format) and a copy of the account book (summarized version is acceptable) to the fund office via the supervising professor.
• Depending on the research contents, Fuji Xerox shall reserve the right to open the results of the research to the public and the right to request the grantee lecture on the research at a seminar arranged by Fuji Xerox.
• In case the grantee has to reschedule the research or leave Japan before completion of the research or change his/her contact address or telephone number in Japan, such grantee shall promptly inform the fund office of the situation in writing.

Other Support for Grantee:

• The fund shall print research report(s) submitted by the grantee in accordance with the above 3.4 (1), and present 30 copies to the grantee. The fund will also donate those reports to the universities and research institutes in Japan and overseas. Some copies shall be sent to the grantee alumni members on their request.

Time of Grant:

• The total amount of the grant shall be fully paid to the grantee via bank transfer in the end of July 2014.

Selection Criteria:

• Selection shall focus on evaluation of the following three aspects:

1. 1. Originality: While the research theme and method should be based on an applicant’s original concept or unique idea, such method should be attainable.
   2. Social value: The theme should have strong potential for promotion of mutual understanding among people and nations/regions in Japan and Asia-Pacific.
   3. The results of the research shall be reflected in the thesis submitted for a doctorate and shall have strong potential for obtaining the doctoral degree in the near future.

Grantee Selection Method:

• The Grantee Screening Committee shall screen the applicants and nominate candidates, and the Fund Operational Committee shall make a final decision on selection by May 31, 2014.
• Each applicant and supervising professor/mentor shall be notified of the results of the final decision by e-mail letter.
• Selected applicants should attend the research grant guidance meeting and reception party that will take place in early July 2014.

Application Deadline: 28 Feb 2014

Click here to view further details of SKM Fund Research Grant.