Toyota Foundation was established as a private, non-profit grant-making foundation with an endowment from the Toyota Motor Corporation in 1974. The Foundation provides financial assistance to carry out projects in Japan and other countries, mainly in the developing world, that address timely issues in a variety of fields – for example, such issues as environmental sustainability, the improvement of social welfare, the advancement of education and scholarship, the strengthening of civil society, and the preservation of cultural heritage. There are three main grant programs open for public application: (i) the Research Grant Program provides grants for original research projects by individual researchers or research groups, without respect to national origin; (ii) the Grant Program for Civil Society enables civic groups and NGOs in Japan to explore social issues and problem solving from citizens’ perspectives; and (iii) the South East Asia Grant Programs support: (a) research on important social and cultural issues facing the societies of South East Asia, (b) translation of materials to foster better understanding of the peoples of South East Asia and other Asian countries, and (c) the promotion of South East Asian studies by local scholars based in the region. Each program, and sub-program, has its own application criteria, eligibility requirements, procedures and deadlines. Some application forms are available for download at the Foundation’s website, where detailed information on the programs and a database of past grants can also be found.