Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan | 20190424 FO

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the "Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan" program?

It is a competitive fellowship program jointly run by the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). It supports advanced humanities and social science research focused on Japan, with the broader aim of strengthening Japan studies in the United States, deepening U.S.-Japan scholarly exchange, and supporting the next generation of U.S.-based scholars whose work centers on Japan.

Is this opportunity a fellowship or a training grant?

The program is positioned as a research fellowship rather than a training grant. The emphasis is on producing substantial, high-quality scholarship for academic audiences and, when appropriate, for the broader public.

Who sponsors the grant opportunity?

The sponsoring agency listed is the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the program is jointly run with the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC).

What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

The activity category is humanities.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to individual applicants (not institutions). The eligible applicant category shown is individuals.

What is the main purpose of the fellowship?

The core purpose is to strengthen Japan studies in the United States, deepen U.S.-Japan scholarly exchange, and help develop the next generation of U.S.-based scholars focused on Japan, by supporting advanced research that results in meaningful scholarly outputs.

What research topics are supported?

The fellowship supports advanced research on modern Japanese society and political economy, Japan's international relations, and U.S.-Japan relations.

Does the program expect projects to place Japan in a broader context?

Yes. A key theme is encouraging projects that do not treat Japan in isolation. Proposals are expected to be innovative, comparative, and contemporary, placing Japan-related questions in wider regional or global contexts.

What kinds of comparative or transnational angles are encouraged?

The strongest projects are likely to connect Japan-focused research to cross-national comparisons, transnational dynamics, or shared policy and social challenges that resonate in both Japan and the United States.

Which disciplines are eligible or appropriate for this fellowship?

The opportunity funds work across a wide range of relevant disciplines, including anthropology, economics, geography, history, international relations, linguistics, political science, psychology, and sociology. The unifying expectation is that the research advances scholarly knowledge and/or improves public understanding of issues important to Japan and the United States.

Can research be conducted outside Japan?

Yes. Fellows can carry out their projects in Japan, in the United States, or in both countries. The program may also include research time in other countries when needed for comparative analysis.

Is advanced Japanese language ability required?

Yes. A defining requirement is advanced Japanese language ability.

Why is advanced Japanese language ability required?

The fellowship is designed for researchers whose projects depend on direct engagement with Japanese-language materials or Japanese-speaking contexts, such as Japanese data sources, archival documents, published materials, or onsite interviews and other in-person research activities conducted in Japanese.

What kinds of source materials or research activities does the program prioritize?

It prioritizes projects that require substantial interaction with Japan-based sources, communities, or institutions, including work with Japanese-language data sources, archives, published materials, and Japanese-language onsite interviews or in-person research activities.

What kinds of outputs or deliverables are expected?

The program anticipates concrete scholarly products. Awards commonly lead to peer-reviewed articles, monographs and books, e-books, digital scholarship and materials, translations, critical editions, or other resources that provide lasting value to the field.

Can I apply if my project is at an early stage, or does it need to be near completion?

Projects may be at any stage of development. Applicants may propose early-phase research, midstream fieldwork and analysis, or later-stage writing and synthesis, as long as the work plan credibly leads toward a meaningful final product.

What makes a proposal more competitive based on the posted description?

Based on the description, competitive proposals are likely to be innovative, comparative, and contemporary; avoid treating Japan in isolation; connect Japan-related questions to wider regional or global contexts; and clearly depend on advanced Japanese language engagement with Japan-based sources or Japanese-speaking contexts.

What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) shown is $60,000.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 45.160.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 20190424.

What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date shown is 2019-04-24.

Does the fellowship focus only on social sciences, or does it include humanities as well?

The program emphasizes humanities and social science scholarship. The activity category is listed as humanities, and the description highlights producing high-quality humanities and social science research outputs.

Does the program require that the research matter beyond academia?

The program emphasizes scholarship that matters to academic audiences and, when appropriate, to the broader public, and it highlights improving public understanding of issues important to Japan and the United States.