Fellowship in Japanese Arts and Cultures
The Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures is calling for applications from early career scholars from all over the world for their Ishibashi Foundation Network Leader Fellowships in Japanese Arts 2026–27.
The programme supports fellows’ original and well-defined research projects in Japanese arts at their home locations while providing broader academic networking and research support. It aims to establish an innovative new model for transforming how new generations of researchers engage with Japanese art, mentored by the Sainsbury Institute and drawing on its global networks.
Examples of possible projects include pop-up exhibitions in the scholar’s home location; virtual exhibitions; processing of original primary sources from public or private collections of Japanese art in the scholar’s location; website or other digital outputs; academic publications; local histories of Japanese art and artists, including oral art histories; original creative projects with focus on Japanese art histories and original research.
Eligibility
Open to PhD candidates and early postdocs (up to two years post-PhD or five years for those in countries with limited opportunities) specialising in Japanese arts and fields related to Japan’s visual culture, from anywhere in the world.
Support
- Financial support of 7,500 GBP
- Online mentoring and training sessions in the field of Japanese arts
- Access to the extended professional networks of the Sainsbury Institute
- A one-week trip to the UK in summer 2027, including an academic programme, museum visits, and research symposium, to be funded separately in addition to the research funding outlined above
Ishibashi Foundation Network Leader Fellowship Programme 2026-27 application guidelines
Deadline: 31 May 2026
