The Sumitomo Foundation plans to make grants in 2013 to contribute to the betterment of human society: for Japan-related Research Projects by East or Southeast Asian researchers (Japanese nationals are not eligible).

The program aims at enhancing mutual understanding between Asian countries and Japan through promoting research projects in the field of the social sciences or humanities that are related to Japan.

Any research project to be carried out by individual or a group in the field of the social sciences or humanities that is related to Japan is eligible. Researcher shall be of Southeast or East Asian (non Japanese) nationality, living outside Japan. Awarded researcher must conduct the proposed research by himself or herself.

Applications may be made in English or Japanese.

You can consult the list of grants awarded under the scheme in 2012

Deadline: 31 October 2013

The Sumitomo Foundation also offers Grants for Projects for the Protection, Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties outside Japan.  The program is offered so that cultural properties outside Japan, the common heritage of human, be handed down to future generations. Deadline in 2013 for this programme is not yet announced but you can consult the list of previous awardees.