Japan is one of Ukraine’s largest donors, with more than 10 billion dollars in support since 2022. Almost all of it moves through government channels, so it takes the form of macro-financial budget support, equipment delivered through JICA, demining, and energy reconstruction. Among those billions there is barely any competitive grant that a Ukrainian organization can apply for and win directly.
Because of that, the open competitive funding available to Ukrainians today runs mainly through the academic track: scholarships to study in Japan and research fellowships that Ukrainian scientists and PhD students can apply for on their own. We gathered 5 such programs whose deadline is confirmed and has not passed as of July 2026. We verified each one against its official source. At the end we list the cycles that will open soon, so civil-society organizations can prepare in advance.
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Why few Japanese grants for Ukraine are open to direct application
Japan’s main direct instrument for Ukrainian communities is called Kusanone (Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects, GGP). Through it, the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine funds small projects for NGOs, hospitals, schools, and local governments, so it covers equipment, transport, and infrastructure repair. However, the intake for 2027 projects closed on 28 February 2026, and the program is now between cycles. The next window is expected later this year, so we return to it in the section on what is coming.
The other large Japanese mechanisms, such as ERA funded through frozen Russian assets, JICA programs, and contributions through UNESCO, operate at the level of states and international organizations. A Ukrainian NGO or company does not apply to them directly. Japan’s academic foundations, by contrast, are open to foreign nationals, and Ukrainians qualify under their general rules.
Research fellowships open right now
These three programs fund research carried out in Japan. Scientists who hold a degree and work at Ukrainian institutions can apply. Almost all of them share one condition: first you agree with a host professor or institute in Japan, and only after that do you file the application.
Canon Foundation in Europe Research Fellowship
Who can apply
Researchers with citizenship of a European country, including Ukraine, which appears directly on the eligible-country list. You need a Master’s or PhD earned within the last 10 years. Any discipline qualifies.
How much
Up to 30,000 euros per year, pro-rata for shorter periods. The fellowship funds research in Japan for 3 months to 1 year.
Deadline
15 September 2026. So the foundation emails decisions by mid-December 2026, and the research can start from 1 January 2027.
How to apply
Apply online through the foundation website. First secure a host institution in Japan, then upload a research plan and reference letters. Because the success rate sits near 10 percent, the committee gives priority to first-time movers.
Official page
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (Standard, open call)
Who can apply
Postdocs from countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan, and Ukraine is one of them. The PhD must have been earned no earlier than 6 years before the fellowship starts. Fields include the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
How much
A maintenance allowance of 362,000 yen per month, a round-trip air ticket, and a one-time settling-in allowance of 200,000 yen. The stay runs 12 to 24 months at a Japanese institution.
Deadline
28 August 2026 for the first FY2027 round. This is the date by which the Japanese host institution submits the application to JSPS. Because the university sets an earlier internal deadline, you should approach a host professor now. The fellowship starts between April and September 2027, with 120 places.
How to apply
Through the open call, the Japanese host researcher submits the application on behalf of the institution. So the Ukrainian researcher first finds a host professor, obtains an invitation letter, and the host files the submission.
Official page
The Kurata Grants (58th call, FY2026), Hitachi Global Foundation
Who can apply
There is no nationality restriction, so Ukrainian researchers qualify too. The key condition is that the applicant must be affiliated with a university, college, or research institution in Japan and keep a research base in Japan for the whole project period. In practice this suits Ukrainians who already work at Japanese institutions.
How much
Up to 1,000,000 yen for a one-year research project. Fields cover natural sciences, engineering, and the humanities and social sciences related to a highly technological society.
Deadline
10 September 2026. The intake opened on 1 July 2026, and the foundation accepts applications online only.
How to apply
Register on the foundation website, then complete the online form and upload a research plan.
Official page
Scholarships to study in Japan
These two programs cover master’s or doctoral study at Japanese universities. They suit Ukrainian students and graduates who plan to earn a degree in Japan.
Honjo International Scholarship 2027
Who can apply
Foreign students of any nationality, Ukraine included, who study or plan to enroll in a Japanese master’s or doctoral program. You need admission to a Japanese university before the scholarship begins, and any discipline qualifies. Note that the interview is held in Japanese, so everyday conversational Japanese is required.
How much
230,000 yen per month for programs of 1 to 2 years, and less for longer ones, plus accommodation support and travel to one international conference. The stipend runs for the minimum period needed to earn the degree.
Deadline
The application window runs 1 September to 31 October 2026. So the foundation publishes the 2027 guidelines in August 2026. After that, document screening results arrive by 31 January 2027, and interviews take place on 9 February 2027.
How to apply
Apply directly to the foundation through its online system, with no prior university nomination. The documents include a research plan and a two-minute video where the applicant describes the research. Since the foundation picks only about 10 scholars each year, a sharp proposal matters.
Official page
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship 2027, University Recommendation
Who can apply
Nationals of countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan. Ukraine qualifies, since Russia and Belarus were removed. The Research Student category covers master’s, doctoral, and PhD study. The minimum GPA on the MEXT scale is 2.30 out of 3.00.
How much
Full tuition, a monthly stipend of roughly 143,000 to 145,000 yen, a round-trip air ticket, and an optional six-month Japanese language course. There is no return-service obligation and no repayment.
Deadline
For 2027 entry, each Japanese university sets its own deadline, usually November to December 2026, for example APU on 12 November. Universities are recruiting candidates now, so choose a university and email a professor early.
How to apply
First apply for admission to your chosen Japanese university under the University Recommendation route. The university runs a preliminary selection and nominates its best candidates to MEXT. The embassy route for 2027 already closed, because it ran in April and May 2026, so the university route is the one that is active now.
Official page
All programs in one table
| Program | Who | How much | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon Foundation (Europe) | EU and Ukraine researchers, degree within 10 years | Up to 30,000 EUR/year, 3 – 12 months in Japan | 15 September 2026 |
| JSPS Postdoctoral (Standard) | Postdocs, PhD within 6 years | 362,000 JPY/month + airfare, 12 – 24 months | 28 August 2026 (via host institution) |
| Kurata Grants (Hitachi) | Researchers with a base at a Japanese institution | Up to 1,000,000 JPY, 1 year | 10 September 2026 |
| Honjo Scholarship | Master’s and doctoral students in Japan | 230,000 JPY/month + accommodation | 1 September – 31 October 2026 |
| MEXT (University Recommendation) | Graduate students, any country with diplomatic ties | Tuition + 143,000 – 145,000 JPY/month | November – December 2026 (by university) |
What is coming: cycles that will open soon
These programs are between cycles. We do not list them as open, yet we record the expected windows so you can prepare an application in time.
Kusanone (GGP) through the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine. This is the main direct grant for Ukrainian NGOs, hospitals, schools, and communities, so it covers equipment, transport, and repair. The intake for 2027 projects closed on 28 February 2026. The embassy announces the competition every year, so the next window for 2028 projects is expected around the turn of 2026 to 2027. Watch the ODA section on the embassy website.
Matsumae International Foundation Fellowship. For postdocs in natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and agriculture, at 220,000 yen per month for 3 to 6 months in Japan. Since the 2027 window closed on 30 June 2026, the next cycle will open around June 2027.
Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship. For researchers in the humanities and social sciences whose projects relate to Japan. So the 2027 to 2028 cycle will open around autumn 2026.
Nippon Foundation Overseas Grants. For NGOs outside Japan working on basic human needs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and the foundation advises submitting at least half a year before the project starts.
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