The Ishibashi Foundation Network Leader Fellowship Programme in Japanese Arts 2026-27. Call for Applications.
Since 2025, the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures has established the Ishibashi Foundation Network Leader Fellowships in Japanese Arts, a programme offered to exceptional candidates from around the world and generously supported by the Ishibashi Foundation. In 2025–26, five Network Leader Fellows were selected, and their research projects can be viewed online: https://dig.sainsbury-institute.org/ifnet/.
We are now opening the applications for the 2026-27 academic year and are looking to select up to seven early career scholars. 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.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria:
Open to PhD candidates and early postdocs (up to two years post-PhD) specialising in Japanese arts and fields related to Japan’s visual culture, from anywhere in the world.
In case of countries where PhD programmes in Japanese or Asian art are limited, applications from early career curators or art professionals working with Japanese arts, with up to five years of professional experience, will be considered.
Priority will be given to scholars from regions without established centres for the study of Japanese arts (outside Western Europe, North America, and Japan), though all applications will be reviewed.
Applicants should demonstrate exceptional academic potential, a strong interest in Japanese visual cultures, necessary language training, clearly defined project goals, and a vision for their future career trajectory.
what we offer:
Financial support of £7500 for a well-defined individual research project for the academic year 2026/27; this funding cannot be used for living expenses.
Online mentoring and training sessions in the field of Japanese arts over the course of one academic year.
Access to the extended professional networks of the Sainsbury Institute to develop the fellow’s research project and support career development.
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.
Examples of Possible Projects to Support:
Pop-up exhibitions in the scholar’s home location and/or Norwich (applicants are responsible for securing the venue independently).
Virtual exhibitions.
Processing of original primary sources from public or private collections of Japanese art in the scholar’s location, resulting in a clear research output.
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.
An option to work on one of Sainsbury Institute’s special library collections or contribute an independent piece of research to the Sainsbury Institute’s ongoing research projects.
Examples of previous projects can be seen at: https://dig.sainsbury-institute.org/ifnet/projects-2025-2026/
Application Materials and Deadline:
CV (including language skills).
One letter of recommendation from home institution (PhD supervisor). For scholars who are not affiliated with PhD programmes, a professional reference that attests to your experience working with Japanese arts is required.
A 5-page proposal including:Your background and training in Japanese studies and art.
You motivation for applying and how your profile fits into the framework of the project.
An outline of the proposed project (with clear goals and objectives achievable within one year, and which may relate to your PhD project).
A project timeline.
A draft budget.
The type of support you would require from the Sainsbury Institute to realise your project.
An explanation of how your project will enhance global studies of Japanese arts.
Please submit your application materials in PDF format to sisjac@sainsbury-institute.org. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly by the referee to the aforementioned email address.
deadline: 31 May 2026.
more info: https://www.sainsbury-institute.org/news/call-for-applications-the-ishibashi-foundation-network-leader-fellowship-programme-in-japanese-arts-2026-27/
