Daiwa Foundation Awards

Awards of £9,000-£18,000 are available for collaborative projects that enable British and Japanese partners to work together in the context of an institutional relationship.

In order to fund as many applications as we possibly can, given our limited budget, we typically award an average of £9,000 to successful Award applications. Our funding rarely covers an application’s budget in full, but is meant to be a “contribution” to the proposed project.

Here is a link to a press release introducing the results of the September 2025 funding round.

What kind of project is eligible?

Daiwa Foundation Awards can cover projects in academic, professional, arts, cultural, scientific and educational fields. Awards seek to encourage the development and sustainability of UK-Japan partnerships between such organisations as museums and art galleries, theatres and performing arts groups, schools and universities, and grassroots and professional bodies. Any project which involves a significant level of collaboration between British and Japanese partners can be considered.

New initiatives are especially encouraged.

The Foundation is unlikely to fund continuing events or those that take place on a regular basis unless there is a strong reason/need or unless it is for a special occasion.

What kind of project is not eligible?

Daiwa Foundation Awards cannot be used for:

• any project that does not involve both a British and a Japanese partner
• general appeals
• capital expenditure (eg, building refurbishment, equipment acquisition, etc)
• school, college or university fees
• research or study by an individual school/college/university student
• salary costs or professional fees
• commissions for works of art
• retrospective grants
• replacement of statutory funding
• commercial activities

How to apply

There are two application deadlines each year, 31 March (for a decision by 31 May) and 30 September (for a decision by 30 November). However, the Foundation encourages applicants to submit their application as early as possible. The Foundation is also happy to provide advice about possible applications – please contact grants@dajf.org.uk.

Please read the section below (Important) before beginning the application.

APPLICATION NOTES

APPLICATION FORMS: PLEASE CHOOSE the correct form

Decision

All applicants are notified by letter from the Foundation. The decision of the Trustees is final and the Foundation is unable to discuss unsuccessful applications.