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.

We primarily fund travel between the UK and Japan. We can award £1,200 per flight requested. We can also support subsistence costs (accommodation and daily living allowances) for those travelling at £100 per person per day.

In addition, we make a separate contribution of £50 for each UK-Japan flight that we are supporting, towards environmental projects in Japan.

Here is the press release announcing the results of the March 2026 funding round (which were announced in early June).

Here is a PDF listing the projects which were awarded funding in the March 2026 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.

We welcome applications that foster gender equality and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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

The application forms for the next funding round (Awards and Grants) will be available from late November. The application deadline is 31 March 2027.

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.