Call for Proposals Begins for Agency for Cultural Affairs' 'Creator Incubation Support Project' to Foster the Next Generation in Media Arts, Games, Animation, and Manga

The Agency for Cultural Affairs is launching a call for proposals for its 'Domestic Creator Production Support Program' and 'Domestic Creator Presentation Support Program' under the FY2026 Media Arts Creator Incubation Support Project.

The 'Domestic Creator Production Support Program' is for creators up to their 40s with at least 5 years of professional experience or who have received awards domestically or internationally. The 'Domestic Creator Presentation Support Program' targets creators up to their 40s with at least 3 years of professional experience.

Both programs will have advisors—experts who can provide appropriate evaluation and advice tailored to the works in the media arts field. Through advice corresponding to the project proposals, the selected creators will be nurtured and supported to their next step.

An event to present the outcomes of both programs is scheduled for February-March 2027.

Please see the website for application details. https://creators.j-mediaarts.bunka.go.jp/2026-entry

Organizer: Agency for Cultural Affairs Secretariat: CG-ARTS

1. What is the Media Arts Creator Incubation Support Project? The project aims to improve the standards of creators who will lead the next generation of the media arts field and to establish an environment for their development by supporting the creative activities of young creators. It also promotes exchange between domestic and international creators in the media arts field, fosters the growth of domestic creators through these exchange opportunities, and aims to contribute to the improvement and development of Japan's media arts standards by widely disseminating the results both domestically and internationally.

2. Programs Open for Application There are two programs open for application: the 'Production Support Program' and the 'Presentation Support Program.' Please apply through the Media Arts Creator Incubation Support Project website (https://creators.j-mediaarts.bunka.go.jp/2026-entry). Complete the application by entering the required information on the entry site and uploading the data for the screening materials.

Submitted proposals will undergo a selection process, and the selected projects are scheduled to be announced in early September 2026. *For details, please check the Media Arts Creator Incubation Support Project website and the application guidelines.

3. Flow of Production/Presentation Support Programs (Tentative) Applications for both the Production Support and Presentation Support programs begin simultaneously. After selection, support will be provided for each program respectively. This includes advice from experts, opportunities for exchange with other creators, and public relations cooperation.

[Last Year's (FY2025) Activities] After interviews and presentations with advisors, an outcome presentation event 'ENCOUNTERS,' which introduced the results of creative activities and works-in-progress, was held from February to March at TODA HALL & CONFERENCE TOKYO in Kyobashi, Tokyo.

4. Media Arts Creator Incubation Support Project Application Overview

① Domestic Creator Production Support Program

Eligibility Individuals or groups (production teams or projects) such as creators and artists with at least 5 years of professional experience or who have received awards, etc., domestically or internationally.

Content Proposals for the creation of new works in the media arts field (media art, games, animation, manga, etc.).

Maximum Support Amount 5,000,000 JPY (tax included)

Selection Schedule Application Period: May 13 (Wed) - June 2 (Tue), 2026, 18:00 1st Screening (Documents): Early June - Late July 2026 2nd Screening (Interview): Early August 2026 Selection Result Announcement: Early September 2026 (on the official website)

Post-Selection Schedule (Tentative) Initial Interview: September 2026 Mid-term Interview: November 2026 Final Interview: January 2027 Outcome Presentation Event: February - March 2027

Support Content The selected projects will receive the following support. Details will be determined through individual consultation based on the project proposal.

・Level-Up Support Provides opportunities for advice and technical assistance from various experts, including advisors, based on the project proposal.

・Dissemination Support Provides dissemination support so that the undertaken project leads to future presentations. In addition to the project's website, we plan to issue press releases and create a leaflet (Japanese/English) introducing the project at the time of the outcome presentation event.

・Exchange with Creators Provides opportunities for exchange with other creators.

・Production Support Creative support according to the project proposal. Support costs (research expenses, material costs, etc.) are capped at 5 million yen. The support amount will be determined based on the submitted proposal. (Any excess costs beyond the decided support amount will be self-funded).

② Domestic Creator Presentation Support Program