Apply Now: Butterfield Award Grant in Medicine and Health (UK, Japan)

The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation offers Butterfield Awards in Medicine and Health to support exchanges and collaborations between health and medical professionals in Japan and the UK. Awards provide funding of up to £10,000 for one-year projects, and applicants may also request continuing projects lasting up to three years (up to £10,000 per year, total limit £30,000). The annual application deadline is 1 December (with decisions in March of the following year). Butterfield Awards support exchanges and collaborations between health and medical professionals in Japan and the UK. The Foundation states that the awards are intended to be broad in application and may support the study of scientific, clinical, social, and economic issues in healthcare. The programme aims to create opportunities for researchers, practitioners, policy makers, managers, and voluntary sector workers in both countries to share knowledge, learn from one another, and develop new approaches. The Foundation provides funding for eligible Butterfield Award projects, including support for collaboration activities between UK and Japan partners. Key funding details from the source include: The source also specifies what the grant cannot be used for (see “What can’t a Butterfield Award be used for?” below). The source describes eligibility in terms of applicant background and the nature of the proposed collaboration. Applicants should normally be able to show an existing research record, but the Foundation will also consider: who intend to establish working links between organisations or produce a publishable comparative study. Additional guidance provided by the Foundation: Butterfield Awards must be in the field of medicine and health. Beyond the requirement that medicine and health are central, the source states there are no further restrictions on the field of research or collaboration, provided the core criteria are met. The Foundation also highlights that proposals may support study of: This opportunity is designed for applicants seeking to build or strengthen UK–Japan collaboration in medicine and health. It supports projects that bring together partners in both countries and can fund travel and collaboration-related costs, including conference and publication expenses. The Foundation’s emphasis on mutual benefit and publishable outcomes makes the programme relevant for researchers and health professionals aiming to develop comparative work and practical impacts on care and treatment.

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What is the Butterfield Awards in Medicine and Health programme? It is an annual grant programme by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation that supports exchanges and collaborations between health and medical professionals in Japan and the UK. How much funding can I apply for? For one-year projects, awards are up to £10,000. Applicants may also apply for continuing projects lasting up to three years, with a maximum of £10,000 per year and a total limit of £30,000. What is the application deadline? The annual deadline is 1 December. The source notes that prior to 2026 the deadline was 15 December, and it has been moved to the earlier date. When will decisions be made? The Foundation states that decisions are made in March of the following year. What types of projects are eligible? Projects must be in the field of medicine and health and must involve partners in both the UK and Japan. The source also indicates proposals may cover scientific, clinical, social, and economic issues in healthcare. What expenses are not allowed? The source states grant applications and expenditure cannot include laboratory consumables, salary subsidy for participation, purchase of materials, capital projects (purchase, construction, or maintenance of buildings), or retrospective activity (project activity must take place after the Foundation decision date). Where do I submit my application? The source states that the completed application form should be submitted to the Foundation’s London office, along with the required project outline and supporting materials. The source does not specify an online submission method. Before preparing your application, review the Foundation’s official Butterfield Awards guidance and FAQ to confirm eligibility and any programme-specific requirements. Then download and complete the Butterfield application form, ensuring your proposal meets the UK–Japan collaboration requirements and includes all required supporting materials and referee references before the 1 December deadline.