#Japan #Osaka #READYFOR #School Absenteeism #Development Institute

Grant Program Announcement

Overview of the Initiative

On December 19, 2025, a new grant program titled "Science for School Absenteeism Support – Enabling All Children to Receive Evidence-Based Assistance Tailored to Their Needs" will commence its application process. This initiative is a collaboration between the Public Interest Incorporated Association Children’s Development Science Research Institute based in Osaka and READYFOR, Inc. from Tokyo. This grant utilizes dormant deposits to tackle the issue of increasing school absenteeism among children and aims to construct a support model grounded in evidence-based practices.

The initiative targets a troubling increase in the number of school absentees and aims to provide both financial and non-financial support to organizations that assess children and develop individualized assistance plans.

Objectives of the Grant

The program will run from May 1, 2026, to February 28, 2029, for nearly three years. The selected implementing organizations can expect grants ranging from 13 million to 15.6 million yen annually, amounting to a total between 39 million to 46.8 million yen when factoring in evaluation-related expenses. Up to six organizations will be selected for this grant during the application period, which ends on January 26, 2026.

For more details, visit the initiative's website.

Informational Sessions

Online Application Briefing

• - Date and Time: December 19, 2025, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (JST)
• - Platform: Google Meet
• - Organizers: READYFOR Foundation Office
• - Content: Overview of the use of dormant deposits, background of the initiative, application process, and a Q&A session.

Online Consultation Session

• - Date and Time: December 23, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM (JST)
• - Platform: Google Meet
• - Organizers: READYFOR Foundation Office
• - Content: Recap of the initiative, addressing queries from the briefing, and additional details regarding funding applications.

Participation in the initial briefing is necessary to attend the consultation session.

Context and Rationale

The number of school absentees in Japan has seen an alarming increase, reaching approximately 346,000 for 11 consecutive years. Within this, around 134,000 children have not received specialized counseling or support, marking a record high. To tackle this challenge, the Children’s Development Science Research Institute conducted research into the factors contributing to school absenteeism. Early findings indicate that the primary reasons can be categorized into five areas; trauma and mental health, cognitive development, and specific developmental characteristics, to name a few.

International research highlights the importance of individual assessments of each student's primary issues followed by tailored environmental adjustments. However, there is a notable scarcity of organizations in Japan that implement scientifically-based support structures. Challenges such as the shortage of qualified professionals, the labor-intensive nature of assessments, and lack of collaborative resources remain significant barriers.

Thus, this grant seeks to bridge these gaps. It emphasizes both financial and supportive coaching for organizations taking part in the program and aims to establish a robust evidence-based support framework for children facing school absenteeism. Special focus will be directed towards the training of leaders and support staff, offering streamlined assessment tools and assisting in resource mapping within the community.

Contact Information

Those seeking more information about this initiative can reach out through the contact form available on the project’s website.

About the Children’s Development Science Research Institute

One of the few organizations in Japan dedicated to developing and providing evidence-based programs related to parenting, developmental disabilities, bullying prevention, and employment support. They focus on scientific insights to enhance children’s growth from early childhood into adolescence, promoting their healthy future through a range of activities including research, development, and consulting services.

For further details, you can visit the official website.