SDG PROJECTS

Student-led Projects for the Common Good

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL 2026 CYCLE

SUBMIT BY NOVEMBER 2, 2026, 23:59 (JAPAN TIME)

STEP 1: DISCUSS YOUR IDEAS WITH JICUF STAFF

(REQUIRED)

You will receive a link to the application form in an automated email message after completing the meeting request form.

About the SDG Projects Program

At JICUF, we believe that being a global citizen involves not only learning about the challenges facing our world, but also taking meaningful action to address them. The SDG Projects empower ICU students to take action for the common good.

Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework, the SDG Projects supports student-led initiatives that create positive impact at ICU and beyond. Along the way, students develop leadership, collaboration, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.

QUICK OVERVIEW

Eligible Applicants

All ICU Students

Maximum Award

Up to ¥1,500,000

Application Cycles

Two Cycles Per Year

Project Focus

Eligibility

How to Apply

Funding Cycles

Application Guidelines

Previously Funded Projects

What kind of projects are supported?

Every funding cycle, ICU students develop innovative initiatives that address issues they care deeply about while making meaningful contributions to society. This may include:

Community engagement and service initiatives

Environmental and sustainability projects

International exchange and cross-cultural dialogue

Social entrepreneurship and innovation

Educational workshops, lecture, and public events

Arts and cultural initiatives

Peacebuilding and reconciliation programs

Public awareness campaigns

Students often surprise us with new ideas. Whether your project focuses on your local community or addresses a global challenge, we encourage bold, creative proposals that contribute to the common good.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️
The SDG Projects do not support academic research, including projects related to a senior thesis, master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation. Students seeking research funding should instead apply for the Othmer Research Fellowship.

PROJECT FOCUS: ALIGNMENT WITH THE SDGs

Every SDG Project should contribute to at least one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As part of your application, you will identify which SDG(s) your project advances and specify the particular targets your project addresses.

If you’re not sure where your project fits, here are some helpful resources.

SDGs UN Website: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/.
noharm SDGsを学ぶ: https://noharm.or.jp/SDGs/.
SDG Projects – Youtube Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/5b5ez43x.

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible to apply?

The SDG Projects are open to all ICU students, including undergraduate and graduate students, exchange students, and kenkyuusei.

Applications may be submitted by individuals or by teams. For team projects, one team member must be the primary applicant who will communicate with JICUF. The primary applicant must remain enrolled at ICU until the project has been completed and the required final project report has been submitted.

Each individual or team may only have one active grant project at a time.

What makes a project eligible?

To qualify for SDG Projects funding, a project must:

Align with one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals (see Project Focus above.)
Have clearly defined start and end dates, and be completed within one year of its start date,
Request no more than ¥1,500,000, and,
Remain within the 3-cycle limit (the original cycle plus up to 2 renewals), if this is a continuation of a previously funded project. This limit applies to the project itself, regardless of who is applying. For more details, see Application Guidelines → Additional Considerations → Project Renewals below.

HOW TO APPLY

There are two opportunities to apply to the SDG Projects each year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

STEP 1: Discuss Your Idea with JICUF Staff

Before applying, it is required to meet with JICUF staff to discuss your project. We encourage you to meet with us early in the planning process so you have more time to receive feedback to strengthen your projects. JICUF Meeting Request Form to schedule either an online or in-person meeting.

Meeting Request Form

STEP 2: Submit Your Proposal

Submit your project proposal by completing the online application.

STEP 3: Proposal Review

Proposals are evaluated by ICU alumni who serve as external reviewers. JICUF staff review these evaluations and use them to make funding recommendations to the Grants Committee. The Grants Committee, which is made up of JICUF trustees, makes final funding decisions.

Click the button below to see the rubric used to evaluate proposals.

Evaluation Review Rubric

STEP 4: Award Acceptance

All successful applicants will receive an award packet. Students must read their award packet carefully and then sign and return it to JICUF to receive funding. After receiving the completed award packet, JICUF staff will consult with the student regarding the timing of the transfer of funds.

FUNDING CYCLES

Applications are accepted year-round and evaluated twice each academic year, providing you ample opportunity to launch your project when it makes the most sense for your planning and timeline.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

Projects must have clearly defined start and end dates. The project start date must be on or after your respective Earliest Project Start Date in the table above. All projects must be completed within one year of the project start date.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

BUDGETING
Funding Amount

Funding Amount

Eligible Expenses

Not Eligible for Funding

Guest Support

Budget Tips

The maximum award is ¥1,500,000. JICUF may provide partial funding if requested funds exceed the maximum or if certain budget items are adjusted during the review process.

Below are the types of expenses we support:

Air Travel (Economy class airfare only) – Whenever possible, you will book your air travel through our preferred travel agency using the approved amount in your finalized budget.

Accommodations

Honoraria – ¥30,000 for qualified activities: keynote presentations, workshop facilitation, serving as a guide/fixer for a project abroad, etc. Note: individuals cannot receive more than one honoraria per project.

Supplies and Materials

Academic research (senior thesis, master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation—see Othmer Research Fellowship instead)

Program participation fees

Prize money or sponsorships

Electronic equipment purchases (Equipment rental are eligible.)

Food expenses while traveling

Gifts (omiyage)

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

JICUF will NOT reimburse expenses incurred before funding has been awarded.

For projects taking place at ICU that involve invited guests, JICUF may provide:

Up to two weeks of housing at Dialogue House.

Round-trip economy airfare (for international guests) and travel costs (for domestic guests within Japan)

A daily allowance of ¥5,000 per person to cover meals and local transportation for guests during their stay.

Developing a budget is about more than requesting funding—it’s an opportunity to think carefully about what your project truly needs and how to use resources responsibly. Research costs carefully when developing your budget.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

JICUF reserves the right to fund budget items on a case-by-case basis and may adjust budgets if expenses seem unreasonable.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
PROJECT RENEWALS

PROJECT RENEWALS

USING CAMPUS FACILITIES

TAX RESPONSIBILITIES

Projects may receive funding for up to 3 funding cycles (the original plus up to 2 renewals). The 3-cycle limit applies to the project itself, regardless of who is applying. For example, if Student A applies and receives funding for a project for two funding cycles, Student B can only apply for one more cycle for the same project.

Applicants seeking continued funding for an existing project must indicate on the proposal form if the project is a continuation. Applicants must describe the current project’s accomplishments, explain how the renewed project will build upon these accomplishments, and describe the project’s long-term impact once it no longer receives JICUF funding.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

Project renewals are NOT guaranteed. Therefore, consider how you plan to implement your project in the event you do not receive renewed funding. A final report for the previous grant period must be submitted before a renewal application will be considered.

If you anticipate using ICU facilities, please contact Hideko Matsuyama (Japan Office Program Manager) at hmatsuyama@jicuf.org to discuss your plans.

If you plan to use ICU facilities for your project, you will need to receive approval from the relevant campus office.

⚠️PLEASE NOTE⚠️

Receiving SDG Projects funding does NOT automatically grant you access to campus facilities.
AFTER YOUR PROJECT
PROJECT REPORT

PROJECT REPORT

LEFTOVER FUNDS

SDGS COMMUNITY EVENT

Within 60 days of completing your project, you will submit a final project report, including a financial report. This report helps JICUF learn about your experience and share your accomplishments with the ICU community and beyond.

PROJECT REPORT FORM

All SDG Projects grantees are invited to participate in our annual SDGs Community Event, held in April each year. This is a chance to connect with other students working on SDG projects, share your experience with students, and discover new ideas and collaborations. Whether you’ve just finished your project, are currently working on one, or are considering applying, this event brings together our community of student changemakers.

PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROJECTS