GRANTS

Advancing sustainability, DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), and peacebuilding at ICU and beyond.

This program is no longer active.

Faculty should go to: www.jicuf.org/for-faculty/. Students should go to: www.jicuf.org/for-students/

The Japan ICU Foundation’s mission is to work with ICU to nurture global citizens who contribute to the well-being of humanity. One of the ways the Foundation achieves its mission is to provide grants to support projects planned and implemented by ICU students, faculty and alumni. We welcome your applications.

Areas of Focus

The Foundation strives to fulfill its mission by funding projects that focus on one or more of the following three areas that relate directly to its history and vision for the future. These themes are core responsibilities of global citizens and are key to the common good. The Foundation encourages the ICU community to contemplate, discuss, and take action to promote these themes at ICU and within the broader society.

Sustainability

Sustainability is maintaining a balance between human activities and the preservation of the natural environment to ensure that future generations can continue to thrive. The natural environment is a common good without which humanity cannot survive. The present generation has a responsibility to live in a way that does not diminish the quality of life for future generations.

Diversity is ensuring that people of all backgrounds are represented. Equity is treating everyone fairly, providing equal opportunities and access to resources. Inclusion is building a welcoming environment where everyone has a say.

DEI is a natural outcome of having respect for all people. The belief that all people are equal in dignity and rights is at the core of both the Foundation and ICU. All students at ICU sign a pledge to uphold the Principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that the recognition of “the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

Eligibility & What We fund

The following members of the ICU community are eligible to apply for funding: ICU Students, ICU Faculty and Educational Staff and ICU Alumni.

The Foundation supports a wide variety of projects that are designed and implemented by the applicant(s). As explained above, projects should aim to advance the Foundation’s mission and areas of focus. The following table provides further guidance for students, faculty and alumni. The Foundation will consider projects that do not fit with these guidelines on a case by case basis. Please refer to the “Past Grants” section below to learn more about projects the Foundation has previously supported.

ICU Students

Eligibility

All degree-seeking ICU students are eligible. Students must be enrolled at ICU for the entire duration of their project.

What we Fund

The Foundation prioritizes the following types of projects for ICU students.

Projects that engage with society
Projects that benefit the ICU community
Projects that develop academic and professional skills
Projects that develop the applicant’s self-confidence and awareness of the world

Examples of the types of projects students may apply for include the following.

Student research projects in Japan and abroad (1st year undergraduate students are not eligible for research funding)
Projects in Japan and abroad that advance the common good
On-campus events such as workshops, performances, exhibitions, conferences and symposia
Intercultural activities
Student club/circle/group activities
Hosting of scholars and professionals at ICU
Presentations at academic conferences

Eligibility

All full-time members of the ICU faculty and educational staff are eligible. Faculty and educational staff must be employed at ICU during the duration of their project.

What we Fund

The Foundation prioritizes the following types of projects for ICU faculty and educational staff.

Projects that engage with and benefit ICU students
Projects that engage with society
Projects that benefit the ICU community

Please note that we do not support faculty research at this time.

Examples of the types of projects faculty may apply for include the following.

On-campus events such as workshops, performances, exhibitions, conferences and symposia
Webinars and other online programs
Faculty-led study tours and experiential learning trips for students
Collaborations with faculty from institutions in Japan and abroad

Eligibility

All alumni with degrees from ICU’s College of Liberal Arts or Graduate School are eligible. Former Junior Year Abroad (JYA) and One Year Regular (OYR) students, kenkyusei and auditors are not eligible at this time.

What we Fund

Projects proposed by ICU alumni must engage with or benefit ICU students and/or faculty.

Examples of the types of projects alumni may apply for include the following.

Experiential learning and service trips for students
Events such as workshops, performances, exhibitions, competitions, conferences and symposia
Webinars and other online programs

How to Apply

The application process varies slightly by applicant type. Prospective applicants should review the following information carefully.

Step 1: Applicant Submits an Interest Form

All applicants must first submit an Interest Form through Submittable, JICUF’s grants application portal, accessible through the “Apply Now” button at the top of this page. Interest forms are accepted throughout the year. However, there are submission deadlines for projects to be considered during each funding cycle. See the Funding Cycles and Timelines section below for more information. Upon submitting the interest form, Foundation staff will confirm eligibility and assess the project’s fit with the Foundation’s mission and areas of focus. Eligible applicants will be notified and invited to submit a full proposal.

Student Applicants:
The Foundation is committed to working closely with students to refine their proposals. Upon approving the interest form, Foundation staff will schedule a meeting with student applicants to discuss their project and review the application process.
Step 2: Applicant Submits a Proposal

Applicants with approved interest forms will receive an email invitation with a link to the proposal form. Proposals must be submitted through JICUF’s grants application portal.

Note to Students: Students who apply for research funding are required to have a faculty advisor. The faculty advisor will be prompted to submit a letter of recommendation as part of the proposal application.
Step 3: The Foundation Evaluates Proposals and Announces Results

The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals:

Project Goals
Whether the goals are clear and easily understood.
Whether the goals advance the Foundation’s mission of nurturing global citizens.
Whether the goals align with/connect to one or more of the Foundation’s areas of focus.

Project Plan
Whether the steps are clear and specific.
Whether the steps are relevant to the goal.
Whether the steps are achievable and measurable.

Project Timeline and Team
Whether the timeline is clear and realistic.
Whether the timeline is detailed and includes all the key tasks necessary to complete the project.
Whether the roles and responsibilities of all individuals and organizations involved are clearly explained.

Budget
Whether project expenses are clearly stated and described.
Whether project expenses are justified and reasonable.

Upon completing the review of all proposals, Foundation staff make recommendations to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees approves or disapproves of the recommendations. See the Funding Cycles and Timelines section below for the notification date for each cycle. Please note that the committee may tentatively approve a project. In these cases, the grantee will meet with Foundation staff to review the proposal and make any necessary revisions or amendments to the project.
Step 4: Applicant Signs and Returns Grant Award Packet
Step 5: The Foundation Disburses Funds

Funding Cycles & Timelines

There are three funding cycles annually, corresponding to ICU’s academic calendar. The following table shows the timelines for the next two terms. Spring 2024 cycle dates will be available in early 2024.

	FALL 2023	WINTER 2023
Interest Form Due Date	September 25, 2023	January 15, 2024
Proposal Due Date	October 16, 2023	January 31, 2024
Award Notification Date	November 14, 2023	February 27, 2024
Earliest Project Start Date	November 24, 2023	March 6, 2024

Grant guidelines

Start and End Dates
Size of Award
Budget Guidelines
The Foundation does NOT fund the following expenses.
- Purchase of electronic devices (rentals are acceptable)
- Business or first-class transportation
- Individual meal and beverage costs (Receptions are allowed)
- Prize money for competitions
- Program participation fees
- Conference attendance for faculty
- Administrative/personnel costs
- Expenses unrelated to the grant
The Foundation reserves the right to decline other budget requests on a case-by-case basis.

Profit-making projects are eligible for funding. However, profits must be used in a way that is consistent with the spirit of the grants program and that aligns with JICUF’s mission and areas of focus.

External Participants/Collaborators
If an applicant plans to invite individuals (professionals, academics, coaches, etc.) or groups to the ICU campus to participate in the project, the Foundation may consider providing the following support for these guests:
- Up to two weeks of housing at Dialogue House.
- For International Guests: Round-trip economy-class airfare to Japan and transportation between Narita/ or Haneda airports and ICU.
- For Domestic (Japan) Guests: Round-trip travel between the guest’s home and ICU.
- A daily allowance of ¥5,000 per person to cover meals and local transportation.
- A one-time honorarium of ¥30,000 upon completion of a qualified activity at ICU. Qualified activities may include giving a public lecture, making a keynote presentation at a symposium, leading a workshop, etc.
International guests are expected to spend at least two-thirds of their time at ICU engaging in on-campus activities. For example, if a guest stays in Japan for a total of 6 days, 4 of those days must be spent at ICU. Additional support may be provided at the Foundation’s discretion on a case by case basis.

Student Research Support for Survey/Interview Participant Compensation (PhD Students Only)
PhD students may apply for up to ¥100,000 to provide compensation to survey/interview participants being studied as part of their research project. Students must submit an Research Ethics Investigation Request Form approved by ICU’s Research Ethics Committee along with a compensation plan that includes the following:
a) an explanation of how survey/interview participants will be compensated (i.e. “Compensation will be distributed for completion of each survey.”), b) the amount and form of compensation (i.e. ¥2500 Amazon gift card, ¥1000 cash, etc.), and c) how compensation will be distributed to participants (i.e. “Participants will be given the option to enter their email address at the end of the survey if they would like to receive compensation. Upon successful completion of the survey, the researcher will send a ¥2500 Amazon gift card to the participant’s email.”).

In general, compensation for interviews and surveys should be based on an hourly rate of ¥1,000. Students who wish to use a different compensation rate must provide justification in their compensation plan. No survey/interview participant, however, can be compensated more than ¥5,000. JICUF reserves the right to make adjustments to the applicant’s compensation plan. BA and MA students are not eligible for this support at this time.
Reporting Requirements
Grant Renewals & Multiple Grants

Grantees may apply for a renewal of funding in order to extend their project. Grantees who wish to renew their grant must submit a Project Report and a Renewal Form. Grantees can renew their grant up to two times, and renewals are not guaranteed. Renewals will be considered on the same schedule as the grants cycle.

If an applicant has previously received a grant from JICUF and wants to apply for a grant for a different project, a Project Report for the first grant must be submitted before the applicant can apply again. In addition, applicants are only allowed to have one grant at a time.
Taxation

Past grants

Prior to 2021, JICUF offered support to ICU student and faculty through 4 separate grant categories. You can view all pre-2021 grants HERE.

Questions?

For any questions, please contact Program Manager Fernando Rojas at frojas@jicuf.org.