Grants are available for organisations to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the United Kingdom and Japan by advancing the education of both nations in each other’s culture, society, and achievements.

The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation is offering grants of up to £6,000 for cultural and educational activities that foster good relations between the UK and Japan. Financial support is available for groups to support activities in the following fields: 

• Arts and culture.
• Science, technology, and the environment.
• Humanities and social issues.
• Japanese language.
• Medicine and health.
• Youth and education.
• Sport.

Funding is for pump-priming a range of projects, such as: 

• Visits between the UK and Japan by academics, professionals, creative artists, teachers, young people, journalists, and representatives of civic and non-governmental organisations
• Research and collaborative studies, seminars, workshops, lectures, and publications in academic and specialist fields.
• Teaching and development of Japanese language and cultural studies in schools, Further Education colleges and universities.
• Exhibitions, performances and creative productions by artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and theatre groups.

Grants of between £5,000 and £6,000 are possible for larger-scale projects, however, on average grants range between £1,500 and £2,000. Priority will be given to projects in the fields of science and technology, medicine and health, environment and social issues, Japanese studies, and the Japanese language. 

Applications are not normally accepted from individuals seeking support for personal projects. However, an organisation may apply for a grant in support of the work of an individual which advances the aims of the Foundation. Applications originating from the UK and Japan are considered separately at different meetings by the Foundation’s London and Tokyo offices respectively. 

The next deadline for applications to the London office is 15 September 2022.

How To Apply

The next deadline for applications submitted to the Japan office is 30 September 2022.

An online application form is available at the Foundation's website for UK applications.

The London office holds three annual awards meetings, with application deadlines on:

• 31 March for consideration in May.
• 15 September for consideration in November.
• 15 December for consideration in March.