GrantRadar

Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Daiwa Foundation Small Grants

Grants of £2,000 to £9,000 for individuals, societies, associations and other bodies in the UK or Japan, for projects that promote interaction between the two countries: grassroots and educational exchanges, research travel, conferences, exhibitions and events. The money mainly pays for UK-Japan travel (up to £1,200 per return flight) and subsistence (£100 per person per day); typical awards are £3,000-£4,000, a contribution rather than full funding. Small Grants suit small projects and pump-priming early collaborations, and no partner is needed. Two deadlines a year, 31 March and 30 September; the success rate is roughly 14-25%.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£2,000 – £9,000
Deadline
164 days left
31 March
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Individuals, societies, associations or other bodies resident in the UK or Japan who can show a long-term commitment to UK-Japan relations; citizenship of either country is not required
  • A project partner is not essential for a Small Grant (it is for the separate Daiwa Foundation Awards of £9,000-£18,000)
  • UK applicants use the 'Daiwa Foundation Small Grants' form and applicants in Japan the Japanese-language form; all applications must be completed in English
  • The Foundation is unlikely to fund the same individual or institution in two consecutive calendar years, and priority generally goes to new applicants

What it funds

Projects in all fields of activity that promote and support interaction between the UK and Japan, including:

  • Educational and grassroots exchanges
  • Research travel
  • The organisation of conferences
  • Exhibitions
  • Other projects and events that fulfil this broad objective

The Foundation primarily funds travel between the UK and Japan (up to £1,200 per return flight per person) and subsistence including accommodation (£100 per person per day; on average not much more than about £1,500-£2,000 per person).

New initiatives are especially encouraged, as are applications that foster gender equality and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals; since September 2022 science-related projects are particularly encouraged alongside the arts and humanities.

Continuing or regular events are unlikely to be funded unless there is a strong reason or a special occasion.

What it will not fund

  • General appeals
  • Capital expenditure (e.g. building refurbishment, equipment acquisition)
  • Consumables (e.g. stationery, scientific supplies)
  • School, college or university fees
  • Fieldwork, research or study by an individual school, college or university student
  • Salary costs or professional fees
  • Commissions for works of art
  • Retrospective grants, including any activity before the results are announced (late May/early June 2027 for the March round)
  • Replacement of statutory funding
  • Commercial activities
  • Medical electives

How to apply

  1. Read the Online Grant Application Notes and the FAQs
  2. Register an account on the Daiwa Foundation application portal and choose the 'Daiwa Foundation Small Grants' form (UK applicants)
  3. Answer the eligibility questions, then complete the form: project leader, partners (if any), previous applications, project dates, an itemised grant request in pounds, other funding, and project background, summary and benefits (300 words each)
  4. Upload CVs and, for visits, a detailed schedule, then submit by 31 March 2027 (the following round closes 30 September 2027)
  5. Online applications are acknowledged automatically; Trustees decide in May and November and all applicants are notified

Applying early is encouraged. For advice on a possible application, or a Word version of the form, email grants@dajf.org.uk. The Foundation does not give reasons for rejections.

Recipients must send a report within two months of the project finishing.

Have ready

  • CVs of the Project Leader and any Project Partners (no more than two pages each)
  • Detailed schedule, including the people you will meet or work with, if the project includes a visit to the UK or Japan

The project's overall budget can be uploaded as a Word or Excel file (optional but helpful).

More like this

Other grants open to organisations like yours.