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2024 Japan Foundation, Toronto Local Grant Program - Program Guidelines
Arts & Culture and Japanese Studies and International Dialogue
Overview
This program is intended to promote Japanese arts and culture, and Japanese studies and international
dialogue in Canada by providing support to a wide range of activities that contribute to cultural
exchange such as performances, exhibitions, conferences, and symposia.
The Local Grant Program is currently accepting applications for eligible projects that will be conducted
between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.

Program Description
Applying organizations should select from the programs listed below and indicate the category of grant
they are applying for by checking the appropriate box on the application form.
Category

Visual and Performing Arts
Film and Audiovisual
Japanese Studies
and International Dialogue
Other Original Proposals

Description

This grant covers some of the costs of holding curatorial or live
performance events such as art exhibitions, dance performances, andconcerts.
This grant covers some of the costs of holding film related programs
such as screenings or film festivals.
This grant covers some of the costs of holding an academic event,such as a lecture or conference, as well as grassroot exchange
programs.
This grant pays part of the cost of carrying out projects that promote
Japanese arts and culture or Japanese studies not covered above.

Eligible Applicants1) Must be registered in Canada as a non-profit legal entity.
2) Must be an academic or cultural institution engaged in international exchange. Individuals areineligible.
3) In principle, the Japan Foundation does not provide grants for:a. Governmental organizations, including their administrative organs such as ministries,
embassies and consulates (excluding academic, cultural, or research institutes such asuniversities and museums)
b. International organizations to which the Japanese government makes a financialcontribution.
4) Applying institutions must be legally permitted to receive a grant. Receipt of grants or benefits
from the Japan Foundation must not violate any laws or ordinances, etc. (Please confirm thisbefore applying.)
5) Must be capable of accepting payment by cheque from the Japan Foundation.
6) Must be capable of carrying out the project proposed and submitting the required documents
before the deadlines.

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Eligible Projects
1) Projects which help promote Japanese Studies and International Dialogue, or Japanese Arts andCulture in Canada
2) Projects which help promote mutual understanding between Canada and Japan
3) Projects which help the cultural infrastructure in Canada
4) Projects which have an appropriate plan and method of implementation in place, with reasonable,
well-supported expectations that the project will yield good results
5) Projects which are not for profit

Grant Amount and Coverage

The average grant amount is $1,500CAD, with a maximum amount of $5,000CAD. Items eligible for
grant coverage include:• Honoraria and per diem
• Transportation• Accommodation• Other expenses, e.g. production of proceedings, rental fees for venue and equipment,interpreter, etc. (subject to approval)

Ineligible for Local Grant Funding

1) Programs used for religious or political purposes
2) Commercial activities that would be considered as for-profit
3) Medical, technical, or scientific projects
The following expenses are not eligible for Grant funding:• Indirect costs: expenses that are not essential to carrying out the application’s specificproject• Office management expenses• Regular operating costs of programs and salaries of current staff• Business meetings such as general meetings and board meetings held regularly by theapplicants• Cost to purchase tools that may be used on a permanent, ongoing basis, such ascomputers, PC supplies, office supplies (e.g., photocopiers, electric appliances), or
furniture (e.g. desks, chairs, racks), etc.
• Cost of buying real estate and cost of construction work
• Rental fee for facilities that would be used long-term• Rental fee for halls owned by the applying organization or group• International airfare exceeding the estimated fare for the shortest route from the city ofboarding to the destination using economy class, IATA Special Excursion Fares (PEXdiscount fare)• Banquet and entertainment costs

Selection MethodApplications will be reviewed from the following perspectives and a decision will be made based on:• Demonstration of a strong need of a grant from JFT2

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Contents of the project: Past achievement of organization, artistic or academic quality,
pioneering approach, future potential, sustainability and development of plan, etc.
System for project implementation: Feasibility of plan, status of preparations, cost-benefit of aperformance, exhibition, conference, etc.
Role of grantee organization and impact on promotion of Japanese arts and culture or Japanesestudies in the country and region
Specific outcome expected
Coalition with other organizations and groups
Ability to raise funds from sources other than the Japan Foundation, including theorganization’s own funds

Projects that fall under the following criteria will be given lower priority:• Projects from applicants who have received grants from JF Head Office or JFT in the same
fiscal year
• Projects whose effects are limited to exchanges between specific groups/individuals• Projects with an extremely low number of participants and attendees
JF policy limiting support to organizations for a maximum of three consecutive years:
This is a measure to avoid providing ongoing support to the same applicant, and to distribute grants to
as many applicants as possible. Unless the Japan Foundation believes that there is a compelling
reason to continue with support, organizations that have continuously received funds from the same
grant program for the past three fiscal years will not be provided with funds for the fourth fiscal year.
Applicants may apply for a fourth round of support, but should be aware that lower priority will beplaced on their application.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

1. During the current application period, the Japan Foundation will accept applications for
projects that would be implemented during the Japanese fiscal year of 2024 (April 1, 2024 –March 31, 2025).
2. Please contact a program officer in the appropriate department to indicate your intention to
apply and to verify your eligibility. After determining eligibility, you may request anapplication form.
3. Applications should be submitted to the Japan Foundation, Toronto by mail, courier, or email.
4. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
5. Applications should be received by the Japan Foundation, Toronto at least three months before
the start of the proposed project.
6. Applicants will be notified of the screening results by email and/or mail within one month of
the receipt of the application.
7. If the application is approved, you will receive a Grant Acceptance Letter and Form. The Grant
Acceptance Form should be completed by the applicant and returned to JFT within 30 days ofreceiving the package.
8. Upon receiving the Grant Acceptance Form, JFT will send a cheque by mail to the applicant.
9. After the project has been completed, a final report, including financial report should besubmitted to JFT within 60 days. The reporting formats will be provided.

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Disclosure of Information
1. Information on supported projects such as the name of the applicant and project descriptions
will be made public on Kokusai Koryu Kikin Jigyo Jisseki (Detailed Annual Reports of theJapan Foundation Activities), the Annual Report, on the Japan Foundation’s website, and otherpublic relations materials.
2. When we receive a request for information based on the “Law Concerning the Disclosure ofInformation Held by Independent Administrative Organizations, etc.” (Law No. 140 of 2001),
as a general rule, submitted application forms and related materials will be disclosed, except
for information stipulated by the law as something not to be disclosed.

Access to Personal Information
The Japan Foundation collects, uses, and manages personal information appropriately in accordancewith the Law Concerning Access to Personal Information Held by Independent AdministrativeOrganizations (Law No. 59 of 2003). Applying organizations and groups should inform those they
intend to invite to participate (hereafter, “participants”) of these uses of personal information.
• The Japan Foundation uses information such as the names of the accepted party and theparticipants, job and position, affiliation, project duration, and project description in theKokusai Koryu Kikin Jigyo Jisseki (Detailed Annual Reports of the Japan Foundation
Activities), the Annual Report, on the Japan Foundation’s website, and in other public-relations
materials. This information is also used to prepare statistical materials included in the AnnualReport.
• The Japan Foundation may provide information such as the names of the accepted party andthe participants, job and position, affiliation, project duration, and project description to themedia and other groups for publicity purposes.
• The Japan Foundation may use the information given on the application form to contact you to
inform you of other Japan Foundation activities (such as requests for other projects) or to send
information on the Japan Foundation.
• The application, attached materials and project report and deliverables may be provided toevaluators, such as outside experts, for screening and post-evaluations. When such information
is provided, the evaluator will take steps to ensure the safety of personal information.
• The Japan Foundation may send questionnaires to the addresses given on the application form
after the project has ended.
• The Japan Foundation may release project reports and deliverables that it has received for
public relations purposes.
• Applications and attached materials submitted to the Japan Foundation will not be not returned.

Compliance with Relevant Laws and Obligation of Subsidy Recipients

The Japan Foundation’s grant programs are operated in compliance with relevant laws and the JapanFoundation’s regulations.

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Response to the Spread of the COVID-19

Depending on the impacts of widespread novel coronavirus, appropriate measures may be required
when implementing the project in accordance with the regulations and instructions of the relevant
authorities. Please understand that the Japan Foundation may unavoidably revoke its grant decision, orchange the substance of its grant or the conditions attached as a result of changes in circumstances thathave occurred after the decision to provide the grant. Please also understand that the Japan Foundation
may set certain conditions for overseas dispatch programs, depending on the epidemic situation.

Submission
Please contact the appropriate Program Officer in order to discuss eligibility and to request anapplication form. Applicants are encouraged to submit a brief outline of their project prior to discussing
the project and grant with a JF Program Officer.
Please address inquiries and applications to the appropriate Program Officer:
Visual and Performing Arts: Toshi Aoyagi – toshi_aoyagi@jpf.go.jp
Film and Audiovisual: Philbert Lui– philbert_lui@jpf.go.jp
Japanese Studies and International Dialogue: Ayeshwini Lama – ayeshwini_lama@jpf.go.jp
Other Original Projects: Ayeshwini Lama – ayeshwini_lama@jpf.go.jp
The Japan Foundation, Toronto
Address: 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 300, P.O. Box 130, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4W 1A8TORONTO5