Are you a budding researcher passionate about Japanese visual culture and arts? Here’s an extraordinary opportunity to take your academic journey global with the Ishibashi Foundation Network Leader Fellowship in Japanese Arts, offered by the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC) for the academic year 2025–2026.
This newly established fellowship programme, generously supported by the Ishibashi Foundation, will select six Network Leader Fellows from around the world. It’s designed to build a dynamic new generation of scholars specializing in Japanese arts — especially those from underrepresented regions.
What is the Ishibashi Foundation Network Leader Fellowship?
This fellowship supports PhD candidates and early-career postdocs (up to 2 years post-PhD) focusing on Japanese art and visual culture. It offers a hybrid learning and research model that includes online mentoring, international networking, project development support, and a funded visit to the UK for research engagement and knowledge exchange.
Who Can Apply?
1# Eligible Applicants:
-
- PhD candidates or early postdocs (maximum 2 years post-PhD)
- Specializing in Japanese arts or visual cultures
- Open to applicants from anywhere in the world
2# Priority Consideration: Scholars from regions without established Japanese art centres (i.e., outside of Japan, Western Europe, and North America) will be prioritized, although all applications will be considered.
3# The Attributes for Selection:
-
- Strong academic potential
- Clear research goals and project plan
- Demonstrated interest and training in Japanese arts
- Relevant language skills
- Vision for future contribution to the global Japanese arts research landscape
What’s Included in the Fellowship?
- Financial Support: £7,500 for the academic year 2025–26 to fund your research project
- Online Mentorship & Training: Fortnightly sessions from October 2025 to May 2026, including guest lectures, workshops, and personalized mentorship
- Access to SISJAC’s Global Networks: Professional development and research collaboration opportunities
- Residential Trip to the UK: A one-week academic program in Norwich and London in July 2026, including museum visits, a public symposium, and opportunities for independent research
What Projects Can Be Funded?
Your project should creatively engage with Japanese visual culture. Here are some examples:
- Pop-up or virtual exhibitions
- Oral histories or local narratives involving Japanese art
- Research on primary sources from local public or private collections
- Website/digital media productions on Japanese art
- Independent contributions to SISJAC’s ongoing research
- Processing and cataloging of Japanese art collections
- Academic publications or creative works rooted in Japanese art history
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Ishibashi Foundation Network Leader Fellowship is 30 May 2025.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for online interviews in June 2025.
Follow Us
