'Women Leaders Support Fund' Announces 6th Call for Applications! Supporting Women's Participation in Decision-Making

6th Call for Applications for 'Women Leaders Support Fund - A Grain of Wheat'

The Public Resource Foundation has officially launched the 6th call for applications for the 'Women Leaders Support Fund - A Grain of Wheat,' designed to support women's challenges in politics, social and regional activities, and entrepreneurship.

### Background and Purpose With Japan ranking 118th out of 148 countries in the Gender Gap Index, the fund was established in 2021 to improve the environment for women's participation in decision-making. To date, it has supported 31 women, providing not only activity funding but also mentorship and networking opportunities.

### Target and Support The 6th round aims to support approximately 5 individuals. The support package includes: - Activity Grant: 1 million JPY per person - Non-financial support: Networking meetings, mentorship program, workshops, and training sessions.

### Eligible Fields 1. Aspiring politicians (excluding current elected officials or heads of government) 2. Practitioners of social activities (NPO/NGO, online activism, etc.) 3. Aspiring social entrepreneurs 4. Planners/practitioners of action research for women

### Selection Committee - Chairperson: Chizuko Ueno (Sociologist) - Committee Members: Miki Oikawa, Mari Ogiso, Momoko Nojo, Keiko Hamada

### Application Period July 16, 2026 (Thu) – August 31, 2026 (Mon), 17:00 JST. For more details and the application form, please visit the official website.