Objectives: The Toyota Motor Corporation gives financial support for the development of projects targeting current environmental issues faced internationally. The Grant programme was launched in 2000 with the aim to further contribute to the development of long term strategies to preserve world resources and also to improve the symbiotic relationship between human activities and the environment. The Toyota Corporation proves its commitment to preserve the environment also by initiating a number of activities such as the first mass production of hybrid vehicles and the construction of an environmental management system. In 1999, Toyota was awarded with the Global 500 Award from the United Nations Environment Programme for its achievements.
In 13 years, the programme has supported 233 projects in more than 50 countries worldwide.
Areas of Funding: Grants are given to projects targeting environmental issues worldwide. Sustainable development must be engaged as a means to create a prosperous future society. Projects must propose innovative ideas to use the available natural resources in a more effective and sustainable way. Crucially, Toyota is committed to fund projects enhancing the promotion of the environment as a means to build a more just society. Projects should explore ways in which the preservation of the environment has the potential to solve existing social issues in addition to the preservation of natural resources for future generations.
Geographic Focus: There are no geographical restrictions. Projects could be implemented anywhere although organisations not based in Japan must seek the collaboration of a Japanese organisation to apply for funding. A special call is advertised for Japanese organisations developing projects in Japan.
Programs or Prizes: Every year, the Foundation issues specific requirements to be fulfilled by the applicants. For the 2014 cycle, there were 2 calls. The first call was for projects to be developed internationally by a Japanese team in collaboration with an international team (by ‘international’ I mean an organisation not based in Japan). The second call was strictly open to Japanese organisations working in Japan. The themes for 2014 were Biodiversity Conservation and Global Warming Countermeasures.
The limit of the international grant per project is 7 million Yen ($70,000) and projects can be implemented in 24 months. The limit of the domestic grant per project is 3 million Yen ($30,000).
How to Apply Information: Submission for 2014 were closed in June 2013.
Applications are invited from NGOs, non-profit organisations, charitable organisations, and officially unregistered voluntary organisations or groups.
Applications can only be submitted online via the Toyota Corporate website.
Among the first round of applications a number of short-listed candidates will be asked to submit a full project proposal for funding. The full proposal must include information about the applicant organisation’s structure and financial credentials.
In order to prepare an application, it is worth exploring the complete list of previously funded projects here also to have an idea of what the Foundation has already funded.
The new call for proposals will be advertised in 2014 here.
