2023 LD SIG Grants

updated 21 February 2023

1. Introduction
Every year, the Learner Development (LD) SIG provides grants to support members’ professional development, research and educational- and volunteer-related activities and projects in the broad area of learner development. To get a better idea of the kind of work we’ve supported over the years, please see our Past Recipients page, with links to reflections, reports, and publications that resulted from grant-supported projects and conference presentations.

2. Types of grants available
In 2023, the LD SIG will provide up to two conference participation grants worth 40,000 yen each and up to one research/projects grant worth 20,000 yen to current SIG members. (Note 1: The number of grants awarded may change due to budget restrictions and the number of viable applications. Note 2: The amount of the conference grant may be adjusted if the conference concerned is held online and the applicant modifies their cost breakdown.)

Members may apply for the following grant categories:
1. Conference participation (PanSIG, International JALT Conferences)
2. Research
3. Projects

All applications will be judged on merit according to the same grant selection criteria (see below). Research and project grants can be submitted by individuals or groups (including local LD SIG Get Together groups); in the case of group submissions all group members must be current SIG members.

3. Restrictions
Applications for conference participation and research grants are restricted to members who do not receive institutional funding. Applications for project grants are open to all members. While members may apply for more than one grant category, members can only be awarded one grant per year. Past grant awardees are eligible to make future grant applications, however previous receipt of a grant may be taken into account during the selection process.

4. Obligations
As a condition of receiving a grant, all grant awardees (conference/research/project) must write a piece for the SIG’s newsletter, Learning Learning. For further details, please see the Grant Recipients’ Obligations page.

5. Timing of grant payment
Conference participation grant awardees will receive their grant during the actual conference which they have been supported to attend, typically during the LD SIG forum. Research and project grant awardees will receive their grant within roughly one month of announcement of the grant recipients.

6. Selection criteria
All applications will be judged on merit according to the selection criteria below:
1. Clarity of the applicant’s purpose for applying for the grant
2. Connection between the applicant’s purpose and the LD SIG’s aims**
3. Necessity of receiving the grant & Appropriateness of proposed budget allocations

**To understand what LD SIG aims for, reading past issues of Learning Learning is also recommended.

7. How to apply
Fill in the 2023 LD-SIG Grant Application Form, and email it to learnerdevelopmentsiggrants AT gmail DOT com

In the attached application form, answer the following items in English or Japanese**:

1. Name
2. E-mail address
3. Institution/s and role/s
4. JALT membership number
5. Grant category you are applying for (In case of conference participation grant, specify the conference)
6. Answer all the questions in the grant category you chose:

I) Conference participation grants: In approximately 600 words in English (1200 characters in Japanese) explain a) your purpose for attending the conference; b) how you intend to contribute to learner development by attending this conference; c) your need for funding and how you plan to use the grant money; d) a statement confirming that you do not receive institutional funding.

II) Research grants: In approximately 700 words in English (1400 characters in Japanese) explain a) your research proposal including reference to any related research you have conducted to date; your research schedule; how you plan to distribute the findings of your research; b) how you intend to contribute to learner development by this research; c) your need for funding and how you plan to use the grant money; d) a statement confirming that you do not receive institutional funding.

III) Project grants: In approximately 700 words in English (1400 characters in Japanese) explain a) your project proposal including reference to any previous related activities you have conducted; the overall aim of your project and how you will determine if the aim has been achieved; your project schedule; b) how you intend to contribute to learner development by this project; c) how you plan to use the grant money; d) a statement explaining your current receipt of institutional funding and your need for funding for this particular project.

**Applications submitted in Japanese may be translated into English to facilitate the selection process.

8. Deadlines
The application deadline for all grant categories is Friday, 31 March 2023, 23:59 (Japan Standard Time). Applications will be reviewed over a three week period, and we aim to announce the successful applicants within a month of the deadline.

9. Inquiries
Any questions regarding the grants or any feedback should be sent to the grants team:
learnerdevelopmentsiggrants AT gmail DOT com