Exhibitions Abroad Support Program

Application Closes in December for FY 2027

This program is designed to provide financial support for museums and art institutions overseas that organize exhibitions introducing Japanese art and culture to audiences overseas. In addition, this program is designed to support overseas international exhibitions such as biennials/triennials introducing Japanese artists and their works.

Eligibility
Overseas museums and art institutions 

*If the exhibition travels to more than one venue, the host institution should consolidate the grant requests and only one application should be submitted for the whole project. The Japan Foundation will not accept multiple applications for one project. 

Eligible Projects
Exhibitions that will open between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2028, and that will 

1 Introduce Japanese art and culture, planned and executed by a museum or an art institution abroad; 

2 Introduce Japanese artists and their works in the context of international exhibitions held abroad, such as biennials/triennials; 

3 Be created through artist-in-residence programs abroad and promote the expansion of networks among artists, curators, and researchers in Japan and overseas, and have a clear concept and concrete plan for exhibitions. 

Grant Coverage
Part of the following expenses incurred and paid between April 1, 2027 and March 31, 2028: 

1 Packing and shipping costs of art works (excluding insurance costs); 

2 Catalogue production costs (including digital catalogue costs; for international exhibitions, support for catalogue production will be partial, based on the ratio of Japanese artists); 

3 Traveling costs for dispatched or invited artists, curators, and specialists (air fare, train fare, and accommodation fees; excluding costs for preliminary research and development). 

*Please note that this program does not cover the production cost of art works, installation costs and artists’ fees. 

Number of Grants (Reference)
21 out of 78 applications for FY 2026

Selection Policy

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

2 The following projects will be given a relatively higher evaluation: 

(1) Exhibition projects with strong curatorial values that have not yet been staged in the applicants’ countries; 

(2) Projects that relate to major diplomatic anniversary events (see p. 2)．

3 The following projects will be given lower priority: 

(1) Projects organized by museums or institutions that have recently received financial support from the Japan Foundation; 

(2) Traveling exhibitions that have previously received grants from the Japan Foundation; 

(3) Projects that are primarily part of friendship and goodwill activities among sister cities, schools or institutions; 

(4) Exhibitions composed mainly of art works of public subscription; and 

(5) Exhibitions organized by hobby groups or similar membership associations. 

Application Deadline: 8:00PM (PST), November 30th, 2026
Notification of Results
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