FAQs AND DEADLINES

The George and Sakaye Aratani “Community Advancement Research Endowment,” or Aratani CARE, Awards are designed to promote projects that benefit Japanese American communities.

Projects that strengthen the ties between UCLA faculty, students, and staff and the Japanese American community are encouraged. Non-profit organizations and qualified individuals are invited to apply for awards that average between, but which are not limited to, $1000 to $5000.

The web site and applications will be open by October 03, 2025. The deadline for the year of 2026 Aratani CARE awards is December 05, 2025, 5:00PM PST (8:00PM EST). Award recipients will be announced in January 2026. Projects should be completed within a year or less.

WHAT/WHY:
Aratani Community Advancement Research Endowment awards are intended to benefit and advance the collective interests of the Japanese American community.

WHERE:
Award projects can pertain to Japanese American and Nikkei communities in any geographic area or region in the United States.

WHAT:
For the 2026 year of the Aratani CARE awards, we hope to provide awards that range, but are not limited to, between $1000 and $5000.

WHO:
Applicants who propose projects that benefit the Japanese American community, and enhance ties between the Japanese American and UCLA communities, are encouraged.

HOW:
We seek proposals that can have a positive impact on and outcome for the Japanese American community. Projects that are well-conceptualized, that have a viable methodology, and a time-frame that can be carried out within a year’s time, will be prioritized. Before awards are given, applicants MUST present appropriate documents; this could include proper insurance coverage; a plan for signed waivers from minors, if necessary; etc.

WHEN:
Awards will be provided once a year. Applications can be submitted up to December 05, 2025, 5:00PM PST (8:00PM EST), and awardees will be announced by Winter 2026 quarter (January 2026).

POSSIBLE AWARD FOCI.:
Awards will be considered in a wide range of areas, including most of the traditional arts, social sciences, humanities, and planning/policy areas. Possible application topics could entail educational workshops or conferences on or off the UCLA campus; data collection on social issues/social needs; forums to promote creative writing; outreach to marginalized sectors of the community; innovative multi-disciplinary collaborations; archives building and organization; digitization of significant collections; publication of brochures or handbooks; projects related to Japanese newcomers; JA women; LGBTQ issues; leadership and youth development initiatives; etc.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Please ensure that you have all the documentation and information before you start your online application process. ALL requested documentation and information must be submitted during the online application process. For a complete overview of the application guideline requirements, please click here. No partial submissions will be accepted. No physical mail or email submissions will be accepted. No late submissions will be considered.

AWARDS RECIPIENTS:
By applying and submitting your application for the Aratani CARE award, you are agreeing to acknowledge both the UCLA Asian American Studies Center and the George and Sakaye Aratani CARE Award as Co-Sponsors of your project in all promotional material, programming, and other documentation. A detailed final expense report, project summary, and project products (e.g., brochures, videos, books, etc.) must be submitted to the Aratani CARE Team by the end of the award period. Award recipients and their projects will be listed in Aratani CARE and UCLA AASC materials.

Do not use any UCLA or Asian American Studies Center logos or graphics when acknowledging the Aratani CARE Award.

Please acknowledge using the following text format, “UCLA Asian American Studies Center and the George and Sakaye Aratani CARE Award”

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS/COMMENTS:
If you have any questions regarding the application process and/or the Aratani CARE program, please contact us via email: aratanicare@aasc.ucla.edu