The Social Science Research Council and the Japan Foundation are pleased to announce the SSRC-JF Next Generation Japan Studies Development Program. At the core of the SSRC-JF Next Generation Japan Studies Development Program is the idea that scholarly research and curriculum have global relevance and that collaboration and engagement by students and scholars across disciplines, the boundaries of the nation-state, and cultures are central to effectively addressing the pressing concerns facing societies today.

The program seeks to cultivate an interest in and familiarity with Japan among undergraduate students at liberal arts colleges and research universities by supporting:

Study Tour Grants for Undergraduate and Master’s Students

Next Gen Japan Study Tour Grants provide institutional grants from US$20,000 to a maximum of US$32,500 for faculty at US-based colleges and universities to bring undergraduate and master’s degree students to Japan for immersive learning experiences. Grants provide support for a study tour to Japan for five students (minimum) with a minimum of five days of curriculum-based activities.

Postdoctoral Fellowships in the U.S.

Next Gen Japan Postdoctoral Fellowships provide institutional grants of up to US$60,000 to US-based colleges and universities as partial support for the hiring of recent PhD students specializing in Japan to both teach and conduct Japan-related research. These postdoctoral fellowships may be in any social science or humanities discipline and are designed to enhance curriculum offerings about Japan at the host institution.

Short-Term Visiting Professorships in the U.S. for Japan-based Faculty

Next Gen Japan Visiting Professorship Grants provide Japan-based faculty with opportunities to share their research and teaching on Japan-related topics of interest with US-based students, faculty members, and local community members through a host institution or college consortium in the United States. These grants of up to US$20,000 are available to US-based institutions and consortium to host a Japanese faculty member for up to six week, shorter stays will be prorated.