Noriaki Tsuchimoto Research Grant

The Council on East Asian Studies at Yale University invites applications for grants to support research utilizing the Noriaki Tsuchimoto Papers housed in Manuscripts and Archives in the Yale University Library. The collection is currently comprised of 83 boxes containing materials related to the filmmaking and other activities of the Japanese documentary filmmaker Noriaki Tsuchimoto (1928-2008), who is most famous for recording the struggles over the Minamata mercury poisoning incident and other environmental hazards. The collection description is as follows:

The collection comprises the papers of Noriaki Tsuchimoto, a Japanese documentary film director, who directed films on various topics, including environmental issues, student activism, Minamata disease, nuclear power, corporate history (PR films), and Afghanistan. The collection includes manuscripts and documents about his films, including annotated scripts, production notes, shot, and budget sheets; research materials of various topics, including documents on the science of mercury poisoning; location and on-the-set photos; publicity materials; and film stills. It also contains Tsuchimoto’s correspondence with colleagues, as well as decades worth of his datebooks. The topics in his papers vary and include items ranging from labor union newsletters to court documents on cases involving colleagues.

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/12/resources/11735

The Council will offer up to four (4) grants in FY 2023-2024 to support research utilizing the collection at the level of up to $1200 for researchers traveling from North America and $2200 for those coming from outside North America. Grant funds will be disbursed in the form of reimbursement for travel, lodging, meals, reproductions, and related research expenses while on campus. Costs for computers, software, books and other subscriptions are not eligible. Holders of a Ph.D. or the equivalent are eligible to apply, as are graduate students who have completed all requirements for the doctorate except the dissertation. The competition is open to scholars in all parts of the world and from any discipline, but topics that make extensive use of the collection will be prioritized. Yale University faculty, staff, and students may not apply.

The application deadline is Thursday, August 31, 2023. The grant must be used by Friday, August 30, 2024. 

All applications must be submitted electronically by attachment to eastasian.studies@yale.edu with “Noriaki Tsuchimoto Research Grant” in the subject line. Applications must include a curriculum vitae and a two-to-three-page description (double-spaced) of the research project. Applicants should attach a list of some of the boxes that will be consulted using the Finding Aid of the collection:

https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/12/resources/11735/collection_organization

Applications from graduate students must be accompanied by a letter from the main faculty advisor attesting to the significance of the dissertation project and to the student’s completion of all other degree requirements.

Within a month of their campus visit, award recipients should submit a 2-3 page (double spaced) summary of some of their research achievements, which may be posted on a Yale website. Award recipients may also be invited to participate in a symposium at Yale on Tsuchimoto and his era in the 2024-2025 academic year.