Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellowships 2026-2027 (Closed)
The Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellowships, established in 2000 through generous funding from Lord Sainsbury of Turville, are designed to strengthen academic ties with Japanese studies programmes across Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America. The Fellowships provide recipients with an invaluable opportunity to work in a scholarly environment, ideal for advancing publication projects.
The six months that I spent at the Sainsbury Institute for Japanese Arts and Cultures as a Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellow were highly productive. Indeed, the experience surpassed my expectations in every way. Within the historic building on the cathedral close, I received a unique combination of support. From the resources available in the outstanding Lisa Sainsbury Library to the generosity of the staff in helping me navigate the complications of a transnational move, it felt as though all energies were directed towards the success of my research. Moreover, consistent interaction with visiting and local scholars, graduate students, and SISJAC academic staff through lectures, writing groups, workshops, dinners, and informal coffees further stimulated my thinking and facilitated fresh avenues of exploration. In short, SISJAC provided the perfect balance of quiet time to work and inspiring moments of exchange. During my time as a fellow, I was able to realize my research goals through the warm encouragement of everyone at SISJAC and when not at my desk, managed to also rejuvenate my soul by exploring beautiful, historic Norwich. – Dr Pauline Ayumi Ota, Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellow 2024 – 2025, Associate Professor of Art and Art History and Chair of the Art and Art History Department, DePauw University
The Institute is offering several Fellowships to scholars who have received a PhD in Japanese culture. We particularly welcome applicants who specialise in:
- Visual studies
- Art history
- Cultural heritage (tangible and intangible)
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Performing arts
- Digital humanities
Preference will be given to Early Career Researchers, defined by the AHRC as “within eight years of the award of their PhD or equivalent professional training, or an individual who is within six years of their first academic appointment”.
The one-year Fellowship will commence in September 2026 and carries a value of £30,000. For the six-month Fellowship, please state the preferred start date in your application. This may be subject to negotiation. The six-month Fellowship carries a value of £15,000. One-year Fellowships are preferred.
Previous Robert and Lisa Sainsbury fellows have contributed to the Third Thursday lectures at the Sainsbury Institute, and WARS Seminar organised by the Art History department at the University of East Anglia. In London, they have contributed to the Japan Research Centre Seminar Series at SOAS. Fellows will also be encouraged to organise a symposium in Norwich towards the end of their stay.
Fellows are required to have a good level of spoken and written English and Japanese.
The appointed fellows will be given shared office space in Norwich and are expected to live in Norwich during their appointment.
The Sainsbury Institute will offer visa sponsorship including NHS health surcharge for successful candidates who require permission to work in the UK.
How to Apply
To submit an application for a Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellowship, please email us to obtain the application form.
Once completed, the application form should be emailed back to sisjac@sainsbury-institute.org. In addition to the application form, please enclose:
- Curriculum Vitae (please include the date your PhD is expected to be conferred, if not already conferred)
- Sample of writing (for example a published article, or a core chapter of the PhD)
All application documents must be in English, and in PDF format.
In addition, two letters of reference should be sent by email or post to arrive by the application deadline. If sent by post, they should be signed and sealed and sent directly by the referee to the Sainsbury Institute, 64 The Close, Norwich, NR1 4DH, UK. If they are sent by email, they should be emailed directly by the referee to sisjac@sainsbury-institute.org.
Receipt of applications by Sainsbury Institute will be acknowledged by email.
The closing date for applications for the 2026-2027 Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellowships is 28 February 2026.
We regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.