Japan Foundation Special Event: Win-Win-Win Collaborations to Grow – How the Joint Fellowship Programs Create New Opportunities to Researchers, Host Institutions, and the Funder

The Japan Foundation is hosting a panel discussion titled "Win-Win-Win Collaborations to Grow" on June 3rd at the AAS-in-Asia Conference 2025. This event will explore how joint fellowship programs create new opportunities for researchers, host institutions, and funders.

📅 Date ｜Tuesday, June 3, 2025
🕔 Time｜ 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
📍 Venue｜Dhuku Hall, Hotel Radisson, Kathmandu

The Japan Foundation (JF) is Japan’s only institution dedicated to carrying out comprehensive international cultural exchange programs throughout the world. Through culture, language and dialogue, it creates global opportunities to foster friendship, trust and mutual understanding,

The Japanese Studies Department of the Foundation supports Japanese Studies institutions worldwide by enhancing their capacity and developing specialists on Japan. Through an open application process, it provides research fellowships to scholars, helping advance their careers. To further strengthen the field, it organizes conferences, workshops, and supports academic networks and associations.

The Japan Foundation has recently introduced an innovative set of joint fellowship programs in partnership with several esteemed and well-established academic institutions across Japan. This new initiative is designed to provide post-doctoral researchers specializing in the field of Japanese Studies with a unique and valuable opportunity to further their academic pursuits by conducting in-depth research in Japan. Through this program, selected fellows will be able to engage in immersive research activities while benefiting from the extensive resources, expertise, and intellectual environment offered by their host institutions.

In addition to their research responsibilities, fellows participating in the program are also expected to develop practical experience as project facilitators. This entails involvement in the operational and managerial aspects of various academic meetings, seminars, and interdisciplinary workshops, allowing them to refine their leadership, coordination, and organizational skills. Furthermore, the program is structured to encourage meaningful engagement with scholars, researchers, and professionals from diverse backgrounds, providing fellows with the invaluable opportunity to form and expand professional networks with individuals actively involved in international academic exchange and collaboration.

During this event at the AAS-in-Asia Conference 2025 representatives from the partner host institutions, along with fellows who have been actively engaged in the program, will share their perspectives, reflections, and firsthand experiences on how this new collaborative initiative has contributed to their professional and institutional growth. They will discuss the benefits they have derived from participating in the fellowship, both in terms of academic development and practical skill enhancement. Additionally, representatives from the Japan Foundation will offer insights into the strategic importance of this joint fellowship program, highlighting its growing role as a key initiative for funding agencies that aim to support and cultivate the next generation of scholars in the field of area studies and various other disciplines.

The panel discussion will be followed by an interactive session, during which attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the panelists by posing questions and offering suggestions. This session is intended to facilitate a dynamic exchange of ideas, allowing for deeper exploration of the fellowship program’s objectives, its impact on the academic community, and potential areas for future enhancement.

Join us to hear insights from representatives of partner institutions and fellows who have benefited from this innovative program. They will share their experiences and discuss the strategic importance of these collaborations.
Don't miss out on this opportunity!