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Application Instructions

INTRODUCTION

The KCC Japan Education Exchange Graduate Fellowships Program was established in 1996 to support qualified graduate students for research or study in Japan. The purpose of the fellowship is to support future American educators who will teach more effectively about Japan. Up to five travel grants for a maximum of $2000 each will be awarded in 2012-2013.

Completed applications and all support materials must be submitted to the KCC Japan Education Exchange email address: kccjee@comcast.net no later than February 15, 2013.

AWARD INFORMATION

Travel grants must be used in the year they are awarded and are intended to cover the cost of travel both to and from, and within Japan. Travel grants are for a maximum of $2000. To be eligible, you must be a United States citizen at the time of application.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must be graduate students who have passed their qualifying exams, been advanced to candidacy at their universities, and at the dissertation stage. There are no restrictions as to research topic, place of study in Japan, gender or age of the applicant. The travel grant may not be used for language training. Preference will be given to applicants who are already proficient in research level Japanese language. Research interests may include (but are not limited to) the arts, culture, education, language, history, journalism or business. Preference will be given to applicants to have not previously studied or lived in Japan.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Graduate Fellowships Program review panel will evaluate each application on the following items in order of importance:

  1. Quality of proposal
  2. Preparation to undertake the proposed research plan, including language proficiency
  3. Feasibility of project and proposed schedule

REGULATIONS

KCC Japan Education Exchange regards the acceptance of the travel grant as a contract requiring the completion of the following requirements:

  • The travel grants must be used during one academic year. They are not renewable.
  • The travel grant is intended to cover travel to/from or in Japan. It may not be used for the purchase of equipment, research related materials, research assistants, publication costs, repayment of student loans or other personal obligations, expenses for dependent children, or any expenses other than travel.
  • Upon completion of the fellowship recipients are asked to write a brief report describing the results of their study to KCC Japan Education Exchange.
  • KCC Japan Education Exchange grant recipients may accept supplemental funding from any other source of any amount. Any published work that results from the research in Japan must acknowledge KCC-JEE as a sponsor of the research.
  • Recipients must obtain prior written approval from KCC Japan Education Exchange for any major changes in the plans for the travel grant.
  • Stipend checks are made out to fellows and not to institutions.
  • Fellows are responsible for reporting the fellowship income to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the state of residence.
  • Travel funds may be not used to cover insurance premiums.
  • It is the fellow’s responsibility to obtain a passport and visa for the proposed plan of study or research.

APPLICATION PACKAGE

The following items constitute a complete application and must be submitted to the email address. If any item is missing, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be presented to the Review Panel.

  1. Application Form. Note: The budget information requested is required for administrative and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) purposes. KCC Japan Education Exchange records are subject to IRS audit and must reflect appropriate planned use of funds.
    1. Format: Statement not to exceed two pages, single- or double-spaced (a one-page bibliography may be attached to the proposal, but lengthy bibliographies and articles will not be considered). Do not attach an entire thesis proposal.
    2. Information to be included in statement: (1) Description of proposed coursework or project, and time line; (2) projected schedule for completion; (3) Name(s) of the university, institution, or other location where study or research will be carried out
  2. Resume
  3. Autobiographical Statement (one page)
  4. One letter of recommendation by the applicant's academic advisor or someone acquainted with his or her work. This reference must be emailed to KCC Japan Education Exchange separately.
  5. One letter attesting to Japanese language skill

KCC Japan Education Exchange does not provide evaluations of successful or unsuccessful applications. Applications and support papers become the sole property of KCC Japan Education Exchange and will neither be returned nor held for another year. If the applicant is awarded a fellowship, these instructions will become part of the fellowship contract (please retain). KCC Japan Education Exchange reserves the right not to award the fellowships if there are no qualified applicants.

CALENDAR

February 15 – Receipt deadline for completed application packets for the fellowship year.
February 28 – Notification of awards sent to all applicants.

FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS, E-MAIL KCCJEE@comcast.net

Appliction Forms