Faculty Grants

Expanding Student-Centered Learning Experiences

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL 2026 CYCLE

SUBMIT BY NOVEMBER 2, 2026, 23:59 (JAPAN TIME)

STEP 1: DISCUSS YOUR IDEAS WITH JICUF STAFF

(REQUIRED)

You will receive a link to the application form in an automated email message after completing the meeting request form.

About the Faculty Grants Program

Through the Faculty Grants program, JICUF partners with ICU faculty and staff to advance our shared mission of nurturing global citizens who contribute to the common good. The program supports innovative, student-centered learning experiences that complement classroom education, expand worldviews, and allow student to engage thoughtfully with the world.

QUICK OVERVIEW

Eligible Applicants

All ICU Faculty & Staff

Maximum Award

Up to ¥3,000,000

Application Cycles

Two Cycles Per Year

Eligibility

How to Apply

Funding Cycles

Application Guidelines

Previously Funded Projects

What kind of projects are supported?

We welcome proposals that create meaningful learning opportunities for students. Every project is different, but successful proposals share a common goal of helping students deepen their understanding of the world while preparing them to contribute to the common good. All proposals should widen students’ perspective beyond themselves and provide meaningful opportunities for active student engagement. Faculty Grants have supported initiatives such as:

International and domestic field-based learning experiences

Academic conferences, symposia, and workshops

Curriculum development and innovative teaching initiatives

Visits by scholars, artists, and professionals

Community-engaged learning projects

Interdisciplinary educational collaborations

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible to apply?

All ICU faculty and staff are eligible to apply.

Applications may be submitted by individuals or by teams. For team projects, one team member must be the primary applicant who will communicate with JICUF throughout the entire application process and, if selected, the project implementation as well.

Each individual or team may only have one active grant project at a time. Although previous grant recipients are welcome to apply for funding for a new project, any applications submitted will not be reviewed until JICUF has received the required final report for their previous project. Applicants seeking continued funding for a previously funded project should refer to the Project Renewals section of the Application Guidelines below.

What makes a project eligible?

To qualify for Faculty Grants funding, a project must:

Align strongly with JICUF’s mission to nurturing global citizens,
Explicitly state how the students will benefit by participating in the project,
Have clearly defined start and end dates, and be completed within one year of its start date,
Request no more than ¥3,000,000,
Keep student participation fees at or below ¥20,000 per student, and,
Remain within the 3-cycle limit (the original cycle plus up to 2 renewals), if this is a continuation of a previously funded project. This limit applies to the project itself, regardless of who is applying. For more details, see Application Guidelines → Additional Considerations → Project Renewals below.

HOW TO APPLY

STEP 1: Discuss Your Idea with JICUF Staff (REQUIRED)

Faculty and staff must discuss their project with JICUF staff before submitting a proposal. These conversations provide an opportunity to receive feedback on your project idea, discuss how it aligns with JICUF’s mission and program goals, explore ways to strengthen your proposal, and ask questions about the application process.

Meeting Request Form

STEP 2: Submit Your Proposal

Submit your proposal through the online application portal. Before applying, please review the Project Guidelines below.

STEP 3: Proposal Review

JICUF utilizes ICU alumni as volunteer external reviewers for the Faculty Grants program. Proposals are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Clarity of Project Goals and Their Alignment with the Faculty Grants Program Goals
Project Design and Implementation
Budget Completeness and Justification
Assessment Plan

Following the evaluation by the external reviewers, JICUF staff make recommendations to the JICUF Board of Trustees for final approval.

Evaluation Rubric

STEP 4: Award Acceptance

Successful applicants will receive an award packet outlining the terms and conditions of the award. Funding will be released after the signed agreement has been returned to JICUF.

FUNDING CYCLES

Faculty and staff may apply during either of two annual funding cycles.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

Projects must have clearly defined start and end dates. The project start date must be on or after your respective Earliest Project Start Date in the table above. All projects must be completed within one year of the project start date.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

BUDGETING
Funding Amount

Funding Amount

Eligible Expenses

STUDENT PARTICIPATION COST

Guest Support

Budget Tips

The maximum award is ¥3,000,000. JICUF may provide partial funding if requested funds exceed the maximum or if certain budget items are adjusted during the review process.

Grant funds may be used for reasonable expenses that are directly related to the approved project.

Grant funds may not be used for:

Personal electronic equipment (Equipment rentals are encouraged)

Conference attendance

Hiring external staff or interns (except in limited circumstances approved by JICUF)

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

JICUF will NOT reimburse expenses incurred before funding has been awarded.

For scholars and professionals invited to visit ICU, JICUF will provide support for:

Economy-class airfare and travel to and from the airport to ICU

Up to two weeks of accommodation at ICU’s Dialogue House

Meal and local transportation allowance (up to ¥5,000 per day)

A one-time honorarium of ¥30,000

Developing a budget is about more than requesting funding—it’s an opportunity to think carefully about what your project truly needs and how to use resources responsibly. Research costs carefully when developing your budget.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

JICUF reserves the right to fund budget items on a case-by-case basis and may adjust budgets if expenses seem unreasonable.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
TIMELINE AND PLANNING

TIMELINE AND PLANNING

PROJECT RENEWALS

STUDENT SELECTION

TAX RESPONSIBILITIES

Applicants must select a project start date that falls on or after the Earliest Project Start Date for the funding cycle in which they apply. Projects may last for up to one year from the approved start date.

Applicants are encouraged to plan well in advance, particularly for projects that involve travel, partnerships, or other activities requiring significant preparation. For example, a faculty member planning a field-based learning program during the summer should apply during the preceding fall funding cycle rather than the spring cycle.

JICUF reserves the right to allow projects to start before the Earliest Project Start Date on a case-by-case basis.

Projects may receive funding for up to 3 funding cycles (the original plus up to 2 renewals). The 3-cycle limit applies to the project itself, regardless of who is applying. For example, if Faculty A applies and receives funding for a project for two funding cycles, Faculty B can only apply for one more cycle for the same project.

Applicants seeking continued funding for an existing project must indicate on the proposal form if the project is a continuation. Applicants must describe the current project’s accomplishments, explain how the renewed project will build upon these accomplishments, and describe the project’s long-term impact once it no longer receives JICUF funding.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

Project renewals are NOT guaranteed. Therefore, consider how you plan to implement your project in the event you do not receive renewed funding. A final report for the previous grant period must be submitted before a renewal application will be considered.
AFTER YOUR PROJECT
PROJECT REPORT

PROJECT REPORT

LEFTOVER FUNDS

Within 60 days of completing your project, you will submit a final project report, including a financial report. This report helps JICUF learn about your experience and share your accomplishments with the ICU community and beyond.

PROJECT REPORT FORM

PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROJECTS