Fulbright Scholar Award

Journalism (Research)

Japan

Application Deadline
closed
Award Code
25130-JP
Activity Type
Research
Research includes activities involving scientific research, qualitative research, quantitative research, and practice-based research, including artistic research. Research can take place in locations such as the laboratory, the field, the archives, or an artist residency. It can be experimental, clinical, or applied. It can include examining policies, systems, theories, methods, interactions, and works of art and music, with the objective to evaluate or develop new knowledge or works. Quantifiable (tangible) outcomes can include publications (books, journal articles, scripts, etc.), conference presentations, artistic and musical compositions, exhibitions, performances, films, and patents.
Degree Requirements
Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) not required
Career Profile
Early Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for no more than seven years.
Mid-Career Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than seven, and less than 13, years.
Senior Academics
Awards are open to those who have been working in the capacity of a teacher or scholar for more than 13 years.
Professionals
Awards are open to individuals who have more than seven years of experience in a particular profession.

Number of recipients

Up To
2
Award Start Period
July 2025 - May 2026
Award Length
3 months, or 4 months, or 5 months, or 6 months, or 7 months, or 8 months, or 9 months
Flex Option
Yes
Multi-Country/Area Award
No
Disciplines
Journalism
Scholars selected for this award will be required to
Conduct a research project of the applicant’s choosing
Conduct a professional and/or artistic project

In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities‎.

Award Activity

Conduct research in applicant's area of specialization. Proposals must be feasible with respect to the applicant's qualifications and language abilities, as well as the proposed time frame. It is expected that the research will result in a tangible product appropriate to the grantee's particular field of journalism (for example, a series of articles, a television program or a series of radio stories on some facet of Japan). The product should be described in some detail in the project statement. During the grant period, grantees are welcome to generate periodic articles or reports, but they are not allowed to serve as a regular correspondent for either a U.S. employer or, if there is one, their Japanese affiliate.

The purpose of this award is to provide opportunities for both junior and senior journalists working in print, broadcast and digital media to become better informed about Japan.

Locations Detail

Any appropriate institution. Applicants are to seek affiliation, but the Commission reserves the right to confirm final affiliation.

Award Length and Period

Three to nine months

Grants must begin between July 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026.

Flex Description

The Serial (Flex) Grant is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over short segments, preferably during the fall and/or spring semesters. Interested applicants must clearly indicate plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline.
Serial (Flex) grant parameters:

  • Minimum length of the total grant is six months
  • Grants cannot be divided into more than two segments
  • Grant segments may be spread over two consecutive years with a half or more of the total grant period completed during the first academic year
  • The second segment must resume within one year after the completion of the first segment

The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.

Grant segments are allowed to be conducted in summer months (June, July, and August)
No
SEGMENTS MAY BE PROPOSED FOR Up to a 2 year PERIOD
2 Segments MAY BE PROPOSED
MAXIMUM LENGTH FOR ANY GRANT SEGMENT IS 4 MONTH(S)
MAXIMUM LENGTH OF THE TOTAL GRANT IS 9 MONTH(S)
MINIMUM LENGTH FOR ANY GRANT SEGMENT IS 3 MONTH(S)
MINIMUM LENGTH OF THE TOTAL GRANT IS 6 MONTH(S)
Areas of Interest

Applicants must have interests in Japanese culture and society in the broad sense, not limited within their proposed fields of study.

Applicants demonstrating study or research plans/goals that are strongly related to furthering mutual understanding and cooperative pursuits between Japan and the United States will generally be preferred over those who lack such intent.

Special Features

Fulbright East Asia Pacific Regional Travel Program

As conditions allow, Fulbright Scholars in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region may have the opportunity to apply for funds to support short-term (3-14 days) travel to other countries in the EAP region for activities such as lectures, workshops, graduate or faculty seminars, master classes or recitals, curricular advising or panel presentations. EAP Regional Travel Program funding covers transportation only. Regional Travel Program activities/host sites should not be included in the initial Fulbright application. Scholars may start the process of seeking out invitations for short-term activities in other EAP countries once notified that they have been selected for a Fulbright grant, but will only be able to apply for travel program funds, conditions permitting, once they have actively started their Fulbright grant in their host country. Scholars on Flex grants are not eligible for the regional travel grant.

All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).

Citizenship/Residency Requirement
Applicants residing in the award country at the time of application or thereafter are not eligible to apply for this award.
Dual citizens of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Permanent residents of the award country are not eligible to apply for this award.
Invitation Requirement
A letter of invitation is required.
Language Proficiency Requirements
None, English is sufficient. However, feasibility of conducting the project must be demonstrated in the project statement
Additional Language Requirement

Research can be conducted in English; proficiency in Japanese is not required but desirable.

Additional Qualification Information

Applicants must be working active journalists including freelance journalists and have at least seven years of experience.

Applicants may be Japan specialists or nonspecialists.

Award Allowances
  • Stipend of 350,000 yen (approximately $2,550) per month
  • Family allowance of 50,000-100,000 yen (approximately $360-730) per month, depending on the number of accompanying dependents.
  • Housing allowance of 120,000-200,000 yen (approximately $880-1,460) per month is provided, depending on the number of accompanying dependents.

(Conversion rate at 137 yen/1 us dollar)

Estimated Travel and Relocation Allowance for Grantee

Roundtrip international travel arranged by Fulbright commission for grantee and a primary dependent who accompanies the grantee on a grant of nine months. 

Baggage allowance: $300-$500 for Japan-bound and 60,000-100,000 yen (approximately $440-730) for U.S.-bound, based on length of grant. 

Settling-in allowance: equivalent to one month's housing allowance (120,000 - 200,000 yen: approximately $880-1,460). 

Estimated Book and Research Allowance

Research allowance: 300,000-500,000 yen (approximately $2,190-3,650), depending on the length of the grant.

Research travel allowance: 30,000-100,000 yen (approximately $220-730), depending on the length of the grant. 

Do you offer additional dependent benefits
No
Special Award Benefits

Honoraria for guest lecturing may be accepted under the terms of the award.

Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.

Japan

What is life like for Fulbrighters in your country?

The third largest economy on Earth and Asia’s most prosperous democracy, Japan is home to world-leading universities and research institutions that have produced countless scholars of global distinction, along with cutting-edge innovations that have improved the lives of all.

Since 1952, generations of American Fulbrighters have immersed themselves to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and society that make Japan one of the most fascinating civilizations in history, as well as the most indispensable partner nation for the United States today.

Visiting scholars enjoy unsurpassed freedom to interact with the people and the land, to experience the beauty of four distinct seasons, and to appreciate the daily contrasts between ancient tradition and cosmopolitan modernity.    

The academic year for Japan's approximately 800 universities typically commences in April, but there are an increasing number of programs that align closer to the U.S. school calendar.

More information on programs for Japan can be found on the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission website. 

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.

Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.