SSRC-JF Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grant Program (US and Japan)

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC), supported by the Japan Foundation, offers the SSRC-JF Next Generation Japan Visiting Professor Grants to US academic institutions that host Japan-based faculty for a short research and engagement visit in the United States. The program supports a six-week affiliation (with shorter stays prorated), including public-facing events and professional development for the visiting professor. The application deadline is 1 November 2026 for visits beginning between 1 January 2027 and 31 December 2027. The SSRC-JF Next Generation Japan Studies Development Program aims to strengthen scholarly engagement and collaboration across disciplines, especially around Japan-related research and teaching. Within this program, the Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grants enable Japan-based faculty who research Japanese society to engage with US faculty, students, and local communities. The visiting professor’s participation also includes professional development related to presenting their work in English and conducting research while in the United States. Hosting institutions benefit through access to international scholarship and increased exposure to research conducted outside the United States. The program can provide up to $20,000 for a six-week affiliation. Stays shorter than six weeks will be prorated.

Funds may be used for:

The grant does not cover:

Certain costs are treated as cost share and should be noted in the budget request, including: Payment of the award is made when the hosting institution and visiting professor confirm the final timeline with the SSRC. Applications may be submitted by the host institution (a US institution or consortium).

Visiting professors must:

The host institution is responsible for organizing the engagement in line with the approved plan and responsibilities described in the program requirements. The engagement plan should include organized activities such as (but not limited to):

The engagement plan should also cover:

Priority is given to:

This grant supports Japan-related academic exchange in a structured way: US institutions host a Japan-based faculty member who both participates in public-facing and scholarly engagement and conducts Japan-related research during the visit. For hosts, the program creates opportunities to connect US researchers and students with international scholarship and to strengthen interdisciplinary networking through an agreed engagement plan. The program also expects the visiting professor to contribute teaching resources for long-term impact through an SSRC curricular module (described under visiting professor responsibilities). The SSRC-JF Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grant application must be submitted online via the SSRC application portal. One letter must come from the head of the hosting department or center, and the other from the individual directly responsible for hosting the visit. The source text does not specify a deadline time or time zone. Notification of results will be provided about 1 month after the application deadline.

Official application page/link: Not provided in the supplied article text. Use the SSRC opportunity page for the “Apply” option and the application portal.

1) Who is eligible to apply for the SSRC-JF Next Gen Japan Visiting Professor Grants? Applications are submitted by US-based colleges, college consortia, or universities with 501(c)(3) status or qualifying tax-exempt status. Visiting professors must be Japan-based full-time faculty and meet the PhD and research-topic requirements.

2) How much funding can a host institution receive?

The program can provide up to $20,000 for a six-week affiliation. Shorter stays (three to six weeks) are supported but will be prorated.

3) What kinds of costs are covered by the grant?

Grant funds can be used for economy airfare, lodging for 42 nights, per diem for 42 days, and visiting professor research expenses.

4) What costs are not covered and must be treated as cost share?

The grant does not cover indirect costs or institutional administrative costs. Visa fees, event costs, and other non-listed costs are considered cost share and should be noted in the budget request.

5) What is the application deadline and for what visit dates?

Applications are due 1 November 2026 for grants beginning between 1 January 2027 and 31 December 2027. Results are expected about one month after the deadline.

6) What does the engagement plan need to include?

The engagement plan should include organized activities such as a public lecture series, guest lectures, seminars, networking meetings, and/or research discussions, along with event promotion and access to office/library resources for the duration of the tenure.

7) What does the visiting professor have to deliver after the grant?

Upon completion, the visiting professor must provide a curricular module for teaching about Japan related to their research (or relevant to an introductory course), covering one to two days’ worth of seminar coverage, for inclusion in the SSRC Curricular Repository. If you are a US eligible host institution planning a Japan-based visiting professor exchange, review the SSRC’s Visiting Professor Grants Guidelines and ensure your engagement plan is feasible, well-structured, and aligned with the responsibilities and budget categories described above. Then follow the SSRC’s stated online application process and submit your application by 1 November 2026.