Are you interested in applying for a QPJE grant? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions…

General

Applications

When are the applications open?

For deadline details, check the links to the individual grant programs.

How do I apply?

You can apply by clicking on the link to the pdf of the relevant application form and then downloading and completing the application. Completed applications can be submitted by email according to the instructions on the form.

Grants for Primary and Secondary School Teachers of Japanese

Japanese Language Teachers – Travel Study Grants

Am I eligible to apply for a travel study grant?

You are eligible to apply if you

  • are a full-time or part-time (0.4 or greater) teacher of Japanese language in a government or non-government primary or secondary school in Queensland or the Northern Territory at the time of application
  • have a soundly based expectation of continuing employment in that field.
  • are a non-native speaker of Japanese
  • are an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • have not received a travel study grant in the past 3 years
I am a past travel study grant recipient. Can I apply again?

If you received a travel study grant more than 3 years ago, you can apply again.

I am a past teacher professional development grant recipient. Can I apply for a travel study grant?

Yes, past professional development grant recipients who meet all other eligibility criteria are eligible to apply for travel study grants.

I am a native speaker of Japanese but have been living and working in Australia for many years, so I need to update my Japanese language skills and knowledge of contemporary Japan. Am I eligible to apply?

No, only Australian citizens or permanent residents who are non-native speakers of Japanese are currently eligible to apply.

I’m not sure whether a travel study grant or a professional development grant is suitable for me. Can I apply for both in the same grant round?

Yes, you can apply for both types of grant at the same time. The selection committee will then consider which grant would best meet your needs and objectives.

Do you make travel and study arrangements for successful applicants?

No, it is up to individual teachers to devise and plan their own travel and study programs. This gives teachers the flexibility to develop the travel and study plan that best suits their needs.

Do I have to attend a particular Japanese language course?

No, the QCJLS doesn’t specify or recommend particular language schools. It is up to teachers to select the language school that best meets their objectives. Information about some language schools attended by past grant recipients is included in the application guidelines.

How much time do I need to spend in Japan?

There is no minimum stay in Japan, but it is expected that teachers would usually need to spend at least 3 weeks in Japan to carry out an appropriate study program.

What are the minimum study requirements?

Teachers are expected to include at least 60 hours of formal language study in their proposal. Teachers who plan to include less than 60 hours of study in their application should consult the QCJLS Secretariat before applying.

What can I include in my budget?

Grants cover reasonable airfare and accommodation costs, course enrolment fees, travel insurance, local transport costs, and a daily subsistence allowance. The current maximum subsistence allowance is given on the application form.

What costs are not covered by the grant?

In general, travel and accommodation in Japan before and after your study program are not covered by the grant. Personal items such as phone costs, gifts for host families, toiletries and teaching resources are also the responsibility of individual teachers.

The language school I was planning to study at has just informed me that they will no longer run the course I included in my application. Can I enrol in another language school/course?

Yes. If the total number of hours of study is unchanged, you can enrol in another recognised language school or course. If there will be major changes to the amount of formal study time, you should contact the QCJLS Secretariat to discuss your plans.

Do I need to submit a report when I complete my study program?

Yes, you will receive a copy of an Accountability Report and Financial Statement before you leave for Japan, and are asked to return the completed form by the end of the Easter school holidays after your return.

How detailed should my financial statement be?

Basically, your financial statement should contain a similar amount of detail to the budget estimate in your application. A list of some major expenditure categories is included on the form as a guide.

Do I need to send in receipts for my expenditure?

No, but you may need to keep your receipts for tax purposes.

Japanese Language Teachers – Professional Development Grants

Who can apply for a Professional Development Grant?

If you’re a full-time or part-time (at least 0.4) teacher of Japanese language at primary or secondary school level in Queensland or the Northern Territory, you’re eligible to apply.

What is the purpose of the grants?

The aim of these grants is to assist teachers to upgrade their language skills by undertaking an approved language course at an Australian university or online.

How do I find an appropriate course?

Some possibilities are on-campus and distance courses offered by Australian universities, and online courses offered by the Japan Foundation. Some other online courses may also be considered appropriate – please check with the QPJE Secretariat if you’re not sure.

How much can I apply for?

The maximum grant amount is $2,500.

What do the grants cover?

Grants can be used towards tuition fees and related costs.

When do I need to complete my study?

It is expected that teachers will begin their study program in the calendar year in which they receive the grant. In most cases, it is expected that study will be completed by 30 June the following year.

Professional Development Workshops

How often are professional development workshop grants offered?

The QPJE Management Committee calls for applications to run professional development workshops for Japanese language teachers in years when funding is available after all travel study and professional development grants for the year have been finalised.

Who can apply to hold a professional development workshop?

Professional organisations such as the Modern Language Teacher’s Association of Queensland or the Language Teachers’ Association of the Northern Territory are eligible to apply.

Grants for Higher Degree Students

Higher Degree – Coursework Fee Support

Who can apply for a fee support grant?

Students planning to enrol in Master of Applied Linguistics (Japanese), Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting (Japanese), or similar higher degree coursework programs are eligible to apply. If you’re not sure if you’re enrolled in an eligible course, please contact the QCJLS Secretariat.

Applicants need to be Australian citizens or permanent residents who will be undertaking full-time study in the grant year.

Do I need to submit anything along with the Application Form?

You will need to provide evidence of enrolment along with your application.

I’m in the first year of a 2-year higher degree program. Will I receive fee support for both years?

No, fee support grants only cover the calendar year in which they’re awarded. You will be eligible to apply again for the second year of your course, though.

I’m in the second year of a 2-year higher degree program. Can I still apply?

Yes, as grants only cover one calendar year you can apply in either year of a 2-year program.

If my application for a fee support grant is successful, how much will I receive?

Currently grants are a maximum of $5,000 for full-time students and $2,500 for part-time students.

Higher Degree – Research Travel Grants

Who can apply?

Full-time Honours, RHD, and coursework postgraduate students whose work focuses directly on Japanese language, Japanese language education or Japanese studies are eligible to apply.

I am a PhD student, but my confirmation is later in the year. Can I still apply?

Yes. If your application is successful, it will be subject to your confirmation. The grant funds will be released once the QCJLS receives evidence of your confirmation.

How much will I receive?

The maximum grant amount is $10,000 for RHD and coursework postgraduate students and $8,000 for Honours students. It is up to applicants to prepare and submit a budget estimate for their research trip, and to justify their proposed budget

What do the grants cover?

The grants are designed to cover the costs of a research trip to Japan. This can include airfares, insurance, local travel costs, accommodation and daily subsistence costs.

How long do I need to spend in Japan?

This will depend on your individual research needs, but as a general guide RHD students would be expected to spend at least 1 month in Japan, and Honours and coursework postgraduate students would be expected to spend at least 2 weeks in Japan.

I need ethical clearance for my research, but it hasn’t come through yet. Can I still apply?

Yes. If your research requires ethical clearance, an approval letter must be attached. If it is still under consideration, you should indicate when the outcome is expected to be available. If your application is successful, funds will be released once the QCJLS receives confirmation that you have received ethical clearance.

When do I need to take my research trip?

Your research project needs to begin in the calendar year in which you receive the grant. Your research trip can take place any time within the grant period. 

What do I need to do after completing my research trip?

On your return, you’re required to submit a brief report on your research trip (for example, outlining interviews conducted, libraries visited etc), as well as a brief financial statement. Your financial statement should contain the same level of detail as your initial budget estimate. You should also report on any publications arising from your research.

Do I need to send in receipts for my expenditure?

No, but you may need to keep your receipts for tax purposes.

Higher Degree – Conference Grants

Who can apply?

Honours, RHD, and coursework postgraduate students who have received written acceptance of their presentation proposal for a conference relevant to their area of study in Australia or overseas are eligible to apply. Applicants must be enrolled in a course that focuses directly on Japanese language, Japanese language education or Japanese studies.

I have submitted a presentation proposal, but don’t know if it has been successful. Can I still apply?

Yes, but if your application is successful it will be subject to written confirmation that your presentation proposal has been accepted.

I recently presented a paper at a conference, but didn’t receive any funding support. Can I apply for a QCJLS grant to cover my costs?

No, retrospective applications for funding (for conferences held before the application deadline) will not be accepted.

How much will I receive?

You will receive up to $3,000 for international conferences, and up to $2,000 for conferences in Australia.

What does the grant cover?

The grant covers the costs involved in attending the conference, such as airfares, insurance, conference registration, local transport costs, accommodation and meals.

Do I need to provide a report after I give my presentation?

Yes. Once you’ve given your presentation, you’re required to provide a brief report on your conference attendance and presentation, and a brief financial statement. The financial statement should contain the same level of detail as your initial budget estimate. You should also report on any publications arising from your presentation.

Do I need to send in receipts for my expenditure?

No, but you may need to keep your receipts for tax purposes.


Japanese Studies Grants for Tertiary Researchers

Japanese Studies – Research Travel Grants

Who can apply?

University researchers in the humanities and social sciences whose work focuses directly on Japanese language, Japanese language education, or Japanese studies are eligible to apply. These grants are aimed at researchers whose main research focus is on Japanese language and studies, rather than those in other fields who are also conducting research on Japan.

How much funding will I receive?

The maximum amount of funding in this category is $10,000.

What do the grants cover?

The grants are designed to cover the costs of a research trip to Japan. This can include airfares, insurance, local travel costs, accommodation and daily subsistence costs.

I applied unsuccessfully for a grant for this project last year. Can I apply again in the current round?

Yes, but if an application is a resubmission of an earlier project proposal, it should be substantially different from the original application.

I am a past QCJLS grant recipient. Can I apply again?

Yes. But successful applicants are not eligible to apply for the same grant program in the following year.

I need ethical clearance for my research, but it hasn’t come through yet. Can I still apply?

Yes. If your research requires ethical clearance, an approval letter must be attached. If it is still under consideration, you should indicate when the outcome is expected to be available. If your application is successful, funds will be released once the QCJLS receives confirmation that you have received ethical clearance.

When do I need to take my research trip?

Your research project needs to begin in the calendar year in which you receive the grant. Your research trip can take place any time within the grant period. 

What do I need to do after completing my research project?

On your return, you’re required to submit a brief report on your research trip (for example, outlining interviews conducted, libraries visited etc), as well as a brief financial statement. Your financial statement should contain the same level of detail as your initial budget estimate. You should also report on any publications arising from your research.

Do I need to send in receipts for my expenditure?

No, but you may need to keep your receipts for tax purposes.

Japanese Studies – Conference Grants

Who can apply?

University researchers in the humanities and social sciences whose work focuses directly on Japanese language, Japanese language education, or Japanese studies are eligible to apply. These grants are aimed at researchers whose main research focus is on Japanese language and studies, rather than those in other fields who are also conducting research on Japan.

Who can apply?

These grants are open to university researchers in the humanities and social sciences whose work focuses directly on Japanese language, Japanese language education, or Japanese studies.

I have submitted a presentation proposal, but don’t know if it has been successful. Can I still apply?

Yes, but if your application is successful it will be subject to written confirmation that your presentation proposal has been accepted.

I recently presented a paper at a conference, but didn’t receive any funding support. Can I apply for a QCJLS grant to cover my costs?

No, retrospective applications for funding (for conferences held before the application deadline) will not be accepted.

How much will I receive?

You will receive up to $3,000 for international conferences, and up to $2,000 for conferences in Australia.

What does the grant cover?

The grant covers the costs involved in attending the conference, such as airfares, insurance, conference registration, local transport costs, accommodation and meals.

Do I need to provide a report after I give my presentation?

Yes. Once you’ve given your presentation, you’re required to provide a brief report on your conference attendance and presentation, and a brief financial statement. The financial statement should contain the same level of detail as your initial budget estimate. You should also report on any publications arising from your presentation.

Do I need to send in receipts for my expenditure?

No, but you may need to keep your receipts for tax purposes.

Tertiary Research and Curriculum Development Grants

Tertiary Research and Curriculum Development

What types of projects are covered by these grants?

These grants are aimed at projects that will produce either curriculum materials or original research outcomes such as journal articles and conference papers on an aspect of Japanese language education or Japanese studies education.

Can I apply for funding for one part of a longer-term project?

Yes, it is anticipated that in many cases projects will already be under way and this grant will be used to either bring them to completion or extend their scope. However, it is expected that the aspect of the project funded by the QCJLS will have concrete outcomes (e.g. publications, curriculum materials).

How much can I apply for?

It is expected that most grants in this category will be in the $4-6,000 range.

What do the grants cover?

Aspects of the research that will be considered for funding include research assistance, teaching release and other research costs. Conference travel will not usually be funded under this scheme.

When do I need to begin work on the project?

It is expected that work will begin in the calendar year in which funding is provided, and in most cases will be completed by 30 June the following year.

I am a past QCJLS grant recipient. Can I apply again?

Yes. But successful applicants are not eligible to apply for the same grant program in the following year.

I need ethical clearance for my research, but it hasn’t come through yet. Can I still apply?

Yes. If your research requires ethical clearance, an approval letter must be attached. If it is still under consideration, you should indicate when the outcome is expected to be available. If your application is successful, funds will be released once the QCJLS receives confirmation that you have received ethical clearance.

I applied unsuccessfully for a grant for this project last year. Can I apply again in the current round?

Yes, but if an application is a resubmission of an earlier project proposal, it should be substantially different from the original application.

What do I need to do when I have completed the project?

You’re required to submit a brief report on the project, as well as a brief financial statement. Your financial statement should contain the same level of detail as your initial budget estimate. You should also report on any publications or curriculum materials arising from the project.

Do I need to send in receipts for my expenditure?

No, but you may need to keep your receipts for tax purposes.