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The United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) announces its 2026 Second Quarter grantees, comprising nine organizations advancing work that strengthens U.S.-Japan relations while addressing shared cultural, social, legal, and environmental challenges. This cohort includes projects with grant agreements finalized between April 1 and June 30, 2026.
The projects supported in this quarter advance U.S.-Japan cooperation across a range of concrete issue areas, including cultural diplomacy and historical commemoration, nonprofit sector capacity-building, legacy and planned giving, youth social withdrawal, indigenous maritime knowledge and marine resilience, cross-border pro bono legal ecosystems, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Together, these initiatives reflect the Foundation's continued support for nonprofit, academic, and civil society efforts that link local action with bilateral and regional collaboration.
- Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, "Messengers of Peace: The 1927 Friendship Dolls Exchange Centennial Exhibition"
- Journey Home, "Hearth Summit Gifu 2026"
- NPO Support Center Japan, "A Hypothesis-Testing Approach to Address the Structural Shortage of Nonprofit Support Professionals in Japan, Project Duration: May–August 2026"
- Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, "Translation & Co-Development of the 2028 GPEI Japan & East Asia Reports"
- Will For Japan, "Free Wills Campaign"
- Sodateage Net, "Hikikomori—Advancing Global Support for Youth Social Withdrawal"
- University of Utah, "Marine Resilience: A Global Gathering of Indigenous Divers to Enhance Adaptability"
- LEDGE, "Cross-Border Legal Empowerment Project (Year 2)"
- Zebras Unite, "Zebra Exchange Initiative: Advancing Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship and Finance Across the U.S. and Japan"
The full project descriptions can be found on the Foundation's Grants Awarded page. This announcement follows two recent updates to USJF's grant application process, operating on a quarterly basis. The Foundation has revised its 2026 Q3 and Q4 grant submission deadlines, and beginning with the Q4 cycle, applicants will submit applications through a new online form rather than by email. More information about the application process, including submission deadlines and eligibility, is also available on the Foundation's website.
Since its founding, the United States-Japan Foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants to organizations and individuals in both countries. An independent philanthropic organization, USJF supports initiatives that strengthen bilateral ties, bolster civil society, and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders in the United States and Japan in addressing shared challenges.
