The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Arts and Culture in Asia [WA2.0]

The Japan Foundation Fellowship for Arts and Culture in Asia (WA2.0) is a program that supports reciprocal opportunities for individuals working across diverse fields of arts and culture to undertake research, creative activities, collaborative projects, and network‑building initiatives taking place outside their country of residence for a certain period. The fellowship aims to build strong relationships between Japan and ASEAN countries, strengthen multi‑faceted human networks, and nurture the next generation of professionals who will lead collaborations and co‑creations across diverse fields.

Eligible fields include visual arts, performing arts, music, literature, film, lifestyle culture, sports, and related areas. Eligible activities are research and study, creative activities, and projects aimed at building network platforms within these fields. Applicants must be active in these fields, reside in Japan or one of the 11 ASEAN countries, hold nationality or permanent residency in Japan or an ASEAN country, be proficient in Japanese or English, be in good health, and have a bank account that accepts remittance from Japan.

The fellowship offers short‑term (10–59 days) or long‑term (60–180 days) stays, with the beginning date for FY 2026–2027 falling between July 1, 2027 and March 31, 2028. Benefits include round‑trip airfare (discount economy class) and a stipend with other allowances. The application deadline is December 1, 2026, 1 p.m. Japan Standard Time, with results announced in late April 2027.

• Stipend
• Airfare: Round-trip discount economy-class airfare
• Insurance
• Activity Allowance

Eligibility
1 Eligible individuals
Individuals who are active in the eligible areas mentioned above (those include
but are not limited to artists, researchers, curators, producers, administrators,
coordinators, educators etc).
2 Nationality and permanent residency
Applicants need to meet both of the following criteria.
a. Applicants must reside in Japan, 10 ASEAN member countries, or Timor-Leste.
b. Applicants must hold nationality (or citizenship / permanent residency) in Japan,
10 ASEAN member countries, or Timor-Leste.
3 Other necessary conditions
a. Applicants must be in good health, both physically and mentally.
b. Applicants must be proficient in either Japanese or English.

• Should a language other than English or Japanese be required to pursue the
  proposed project, the Japan Foundation may request additional document(s)
  proving the applicant’s language proficiency.
  c. Possess a bank account that can accept remittance from Japan (the Japan
  Foundation Headquarters) prior to or by the time of the remittance. The name of
  said bank account’s holder must be the same as the applicant’s