Mt. Fuji Yamanaka-Berreman Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Japanese Studies
Application Deadline: March 17, 2025
Junior and senior undergraduate UCB students whose studies directly involve Japan and who will be enrolled in Fall 2025 are invited to apply for Summer 2025 Research Funding. Up to three research awards of $4000 maximum may be awarded to undertake at least two weeks of innovative, concentrated summer research in Japan. We encourage applications to conduct pre-honor thesis research, but other capstone projects that will lead to a publication and/or other forms of public presentations will also be considered. This opportunity is made available by the generous support from the Mt. Fuji Yamanaka-Berreman Funds.
The applicant must have full support of a UC Berkeley faculty member (professor or lecturer) who has committed to mentoring the proposed project until its completion after the summer trip (e.g., honor’s thesis, journal article, public performance). The applicant is strongly recommended to find a host faculty, a researcher or a point person in Japan who is willing to support the project during the proposed summer research period. Awards are intended for students who have completed at least one year of formal Japanese language study, but proposals from students without such training will be considered. Students should also indicate in their applications that they have completed relevant courses for the proposed project.
Projects involving human subjects must be kept below the threshold of full-committee review. Students should consult with their UCB mentor(s) about these requirements before submitting their applications. For more information about the Berkeley Human Research Protection Program, please click here.
Award amounts will be based upon a proposed research budget and may be used for travel and per diem as well as necessary research materials (limited to books, photographs, digital images, and other research-related supplies) in accordance with University policies.
Students who accept awards will be asked to submit a written report to the Center upon completion of their summer research and to present their research at a Center event. A student who receives other summer funding must report such awards to the Center, which may reduce its award in accordance with the proposed project budget and total funding.
Applicants should submit the following materials (PDF format requested) directed to the CJS Fellowship Committee and sent by Monday, March 17, 2025 to CJS at cjs@berkeley.edu.
1. Application Cover Sheet PDF format
2. A current Curriculum Vitae, with emphasis on prior experience (if any) or preparation for
living, studying, or working in Japan.
3. A detailed Research/Study Proposal for the period of requested support (max. 2 pages)
4. A complete List of All Financial Support already obtained for the summer project.
5. A complete List of All Other Applications for Support, with amounts requested.
6. An Estimated Budget for your project
7. Two Letters of Recommendation from UC Berkeley Faculty and (if applicable) A Support Letter from a Host Faculty/Researcher in Japan (mailed or emailed separately to CJS).
Emailed recommendations go to cjs@berkeley.edu.
8. A current Transcript (unofficial copies OK) from UCB together with a list of any courses currently in progress