The SSRC-JF Next Generation Japan Studies Development Program provides grants of up to $20,000 to US academic institutions or consortia of institutions to host Japan-based faculty for a six-week stay in the United States. This program is supported by the Japan Foundation.

Background

At the core of the Next Gen Japan Program is the idea that scholarly engagement and collaboration 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 Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grants provides Japan-based faculty who research Japanese society an opportunity for intellectual engagement with US faculty, students, and local communities. It further provides the professor with professional development experience in presenting their work in English and conducting their own research in the US.

Hosting institutions, likewise, will gain access to international scholars and exposure to research from outside the United States.

Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by the host institution and the following eligibility criteria apply:

  • US-based colleges, college consortia, or universities must have 501(c)3 status or qualifying tax-exempt status.
  • Visiting Professors must be:
    • A full-time faculty member at an institution of higher education based in Japan
    • A PhD in the social sciences, humanities, or a related field who conducts research on topics directly related to Japan
    • Able to spend a continuous three- to six-week period in the United States at the host institution or consortium of institutions

Requirements

Hosting Institution’s Responsibilities:

  • Administration and management of the grant fund
    • Payment of the award will be made when the hosting institution and the visiting professor confirm the final timeline with the SSRC.
    • Coordinating with visiting professors on travel and accommodations and paying for the same in such a way as to not burden the visiting professors.
    • All organized aspects of the Engagement Plan, including but not limited to:
      • Implementation of a public lecture series, guest lectures, seminars, networking meetings, research discussions, or other events
      • Promotion of events
    • Provision of office space and access to library resources for the duration of the six-week tenure
    • Securing other financial resources and insurance as needed
    • Submission of a final report to the SSRC on the grant one month following the end of the Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor grant. The report should include outputs required by the professor as outlined below.

Visiting Professor’s Responsibilities: 

  • Coordinating with the host institution to determine a final timeline for the visit
  • Adhering to the Engagement Plan agreed upon with the host institution and:
    • Sharing their expertise on Japan through such events as academic lecture series, public lectures, seminars, networking meetings, research discussions, or other events as deemed appropriate.
  • Conducting their own research and writing on Japan-related issues
  • Taking part, prior to departure from Japan, in a short series of meetings with SSRC staff in the US and Tokyo who will work with the faculty members on English-language presentation of their research. 
  • Upon completion of the grant, providing a curricular module for teaching about Japan related to their research or relevant to an introductory course in their discipline to be included in the SSRC Curricular Repository. The module should cover one to two days’ worth of seminar coverage.

Priorities

Priority is given to:

  • Visiting professors hosted at liberal arts colleges, universities, college consortia, or community colleges located in the US South and Midwest for the duration of the grant.
  • The hosting of early- to mid-career faculty. 
  • Engagement Plans that are designed to attract interdisciplinary audiences and support interdisciplinary networking ranging from academic fields such as the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and the wider general public.

Grant Coverage

The program can provide up to $20,000 for a six-week affiliation. Stays shorter than six weeks will be prorated. These funds can be used for the following items:

  • International Airfare between Japan and the US (economy class)
  • Lodging for 42 nights 
  • Per Diem for 42 days 
  • Visiting Professor research expenses

Application Deadlines and Notification of Results

  • July 1, 2026: application deadline for Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor grants beginning between September 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. Notification of results will be provided about 1 month after the application deadline. 
  • November 1, 2026: application deadline for Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor grants beginning between January 1, 2027 and June 30, 2027. Notification of results will be provided about 1 month after the application deadline. 

Application Instructions

All applications are to be submitted online through the SSRC’s application portal. The SSRC-JF Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grant applications consist of:

  • Cover sheet
  • Engagement Plan agreed upon by both the visiting professor and the host institution(s) detailing the events to take place during the visit which might include:
    • public lecture series, guest lectures, seminars, networking meetings, research discussions, or other events
  • CV of the visiting scholar
  • Letter of confirmation from the host institution or consortium including:
    • a commitment to host the proposed visiting scholar
    • a commitment to implementing the submitted engagement plan
    • a description of the benefit to the academic and local community of hosting the Visiting Professorship
  • A short statement of interest from the visiting professor including:
    • how the professor would benefit from the visiting professorship
    • what the professor hopes to provide the host institution(s)
    • a commitment to implementing the submitted engagement plan

Selection Criteria

Grantees will be selected based on the feasibility and strength of the engagement plan. Once finalists are selected, the SSRC will notify all applicants of the result and finalize Visiting Professor Grants with hosting institutions.

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