On June 11, 2025, Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-USSH), welcomed and held a meeting with Mr. Hamaya Kenichi, representative of the Sumitomo Foundation (Japan).
During the meeting, Mr. Hamaya Kenichi, representing the Sumitomo Foundation, took the time to share more detailed information about the Foundation, its purpose, significance, and how to obtain funding in 2025. He expressed his hope that the Foundation could help implement many meaningful projects in Vietnam, as well as those undertaken by faculty and students of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Mr. Hamaya Kenichi introduces the Sumitomo Foundation.
The Sumitomo Foundation is a non-profit organization established on September 25, 1991, by 20 companies belonging to the Sumitomo Group to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Besshi Copper Mine in Shikoku, Japan. The Foundation's goal is to contribute to the improvement of human society by garnering community support. Currently, the Foundation's grants are awarded to projects that address or solve pressing human issues such as culture, the environment, and support basic scientific research and international exchange.
According to a representative from the Sumitomo Foundation, the program aims to promote mutual understanding between Asian countries and Japan by supporting research projects related to Japan. Details about the program are as follows:
- Eligibility: Researchers from Southeast Asia or East Asia (excluding Japan), residing outside Japan and conducting independent research.
- Application deadline:
From September 1st to October 31st, 2025.- Funding period:
One year(from April 2026 to March 2027), renewable for a maximum of two years if necessary.
- Total funding budget:
Approximately 50 million Japanese Yen, with around 80 projects selected.For more information about projects supported by the Foundation, as well as application procedures and requirements, please refer to the official Sumitomo Foundation website: (English)
http://www.sumitomo.or.jp/e/index.htmJapanese:
http://www.sumitomo.or.jp/index.htm.
Dr. Nguyen Phuong Thuy (Faculty of Oriental Studies, VNU-USSH) shared her experience in preparing applications for funding from the Sumitomo Foundation.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Rector Hoang Anh Tuan sincerely thanked the Sumitomo Foundation for its support in scientific research and professional development of the University's faculty over the past period. The information shared by Mr. Hamaya Kenichi during today's meeting was extremely useful, providing the University's faculty and students with a great opportunity to access funding from the Foundation and valuable experience in building effective and successful applications.
