Grant Program for Dispatching Artists and Cultural Specialists
Application Closes in December for FY 2027

This program is designed to provide financial support for artists and Japanese cultural specialists who are invited by institutions outside Japan and participate in cultural events (e.g., performances, demonstrations, lectures and workshops) overseas with the
aim of introducing Japanese arts and culture or of contributing to international society through arts and cultural projects.

 

Eligibility
Applicants must be either:

1 Groups or individuals in the arts and cultural fields who are based in Japan and have received invitations to participate in cultural events overseas from foreign organizations; 

2 Organizations and agencies, based in Japan,that arrange and produce the projects described above.

Eligible Projects
1 Projects must be either:

(1) Performing arts (e.g., theatre, music, dance, folk arts, etc.);

(2) Lectures, workshops, and demonstrations related to Japanese culture, including sports.

*Projects that are supported by grants from Japanese governmental organizations, government-affiliated agencies, independent administrative institutions of Japan, or the Japan-Korea Cultural Foundation are not eligible to receive grants under this program, including grants from third-party programs that are funded by any of the aforementioned organizations.

* Projects with invitation from Japanese diplomatic missions abroad alone are not eligible for the grant.

* Projects with invitation from applicant's branch office abroad alone are not eligible for the grant.

* Please refer to “Exhibitions Abroad Support Program" for information on support for exhibitions on Japanese art and culture.

2 Project period
For projects which take place between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2028 Project participants must depart Japan on or after April 1, 2027 and must be back in Japan by March 31, 2028.

Grant Coverage
Partial support of the following expenditures:

1 International travel expense

2 Carriage (baggage/freight)
*Please note that only the flights departing from Japan (round trip) are eligible for
the grant.

 

Number of Fellowships (Reference)
67 out of 176 applications for FY2026
Maximum grant amount awarded in FY 2026: Approximately JPY 4,000,000.

Selection Policy

1 Screening will be conducted after consulting with experts in the field.

2 Please refer to the application instructions for details on projects that tend to receive relatively high or low evaluations. Projects that are organized in the country, region or city zone where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan's “Overseas Travel Safety Information" or "Overseas Infection information" are labeled more than 2, in principle, can not be selected. Even after the projects are selected, it is possible for a grant to be cancelled fully or partially if the “Overseas Travel Safety Information” or "Overseas Infection Information" are labeled more than 2.

 

Application Deadline: 8:00PM (PST), November 30th, 2026
(for projects which take place between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2028)

Notification of Results
Within April, 2027

 

Notes for all Applicants
Please refer to the Japan Foundation website for information on application procedures and important notes common to all programs.
JF website: The Japan Foundation - General Instructions
Also, please refer to the application instructions of this program.