Purpose

The JAPAN PRIZE supports producers in countries/regions with limited budgets and technical facilities to realize their vision into production and broadcast by awarding excellent educational TV program proposals. This contributes to the development of educational broadcasting around the world. An awarded organization is obliged to produce the program within the year following the award and to report on its actual achievement.
Entry Qualification

The contest is open to organizations with copyrights for the submitted entries such as:

Broadcasting services
Independent production companies
Educational institutions
Corporations
Authorized NPOs
* Entries from individuals are unacceptable.
* Organizations other than broadcasters are required to guarantee broadcast by September in the following year and to fill out the necessary items on the entry form.

Awards

The Best Proposal Prize
Hoso Bunka Foundation Prize
A trophy, certificate, and prize money of US$8,000 are awarded to the outstanding proposal for an educational TV program
Special Prize
The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan Prize
A trophy, certificate, and U.S. $3,000 prize money, are awarded to an entry which excels at fostering literacy and education in a country's national language, and which contributes to the spread of basic education.
Entry Conditions

1. A proposal written with the purpose of improving educational effects for:
  • (1) Children (0 to 12 years old)
  • (2) Teens (12 to 17 years old)
  • (3) Adults (over 18 years old)
*Entering organizations may enter a total of three proposals, one in each of the above age groups.
2. An organization with limited budget and/or equipment to produce programs should endeavor to submit a realistic proposal such that the prize money, if awarded, is sufficient to cover the cost of production of the proposed program.
3. The proposal is appropriate for the educational needs of the entering country/region.
4. The length of the proposed program must be within 30 minutes.
5. The basic format should be documentary or studio show. Drama format should be used only for reenactment scenes.
Entry Method, Important dates

(1) Entry acceptance: April 1 – June 30, 2011
Entrants are requested to submit online entry forms in English through this JAPAN PRIZE Website.
Only contents on the entry form will be judged through preliminary selection.
A tutorial "How to write a Proposal" is available on request. Please contact the JAPAN PRIZE Secretariat.
If you experience any difficulties entering online, please contact the JAPAN PRIZE Secretariat.
(2) Fees or participation charge
There is no fee for entry.
(3) Announcement of the results of the preliminary selection September
(We will announce dates and details on this website once they have been determined.).
In addition, the JAPAN PRIZE Secretariat will contact the organizations that pass the preliminary selection.
(4) Final Presentation
Producers from the organizations that pass the preliminary selection will be invited to Tokyo as finalists during the contest in October to make presentations in front of the final jury.
Transportation and accommodation fees will be covered by the JAPAN PRIZE.
Depending on the unpredictable circumstances, there is a possibility of change in the procedure of the presentation.
(5) Announcement of the results of the final selection
October (We will announce dates and details on this website once they have been determined.).
Production and Broadcast of the Awarded Proposal

(1) Memoranda will be exchanged among the organizer, the investiture and the prize winning organization regarding the payment method of the award money for the program production.
(2) The awarded organization must broadcast the completed program in their country/region and documentation proving the broadcast date and a video tape should be sent to the JAPAN PRIZE Secretariat by September 30, 2012.
(3) When the program is broadcast, it must carry a credit reading either "This program was produced using 'The JAPAN PRIZE Hoso Bunka Foundation Award' or 'The JAPAN PRIZE National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan Award' " as appropriate.
(4) The copyright of the produced program will belong to the awarded organization.
(5) The produced program will be screened at the JAPAN PRIZE final judgment period in 2012..
Use of Entered Materials

1. NHK may use the completed programs or submitted documentation at no charge in the four ways stipulated in the following articles (1)-(4).
(1) Broadcasting
One broadcast of a part or all of the produced program in Japan.
(2) Events
The produced program may be screened during the next JAPAN PRIZE.
(3) The JAPAN PRIZE Library
The produced program may be included in the JAPAN PRIZE Library Centers all over the world under the condition of non-broadcast and non-profit uses.
(4) PR other than broadcasting
For the purpose of NHK's promotional activities and airing of the results of the contest other than broadcasting, NHK may use the produced program in videos, DVDs, CDs, websites, and print materials.
2. The Hoso Bunka Foundation may use a part or all of the completed program and submitted documentation of the winning proposal for the purpose of promotional activities and educational media conferences/seminars.
3. The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan may use a part or all of the completed program and submitted documentation of the winning proposal for the purpose of promotional activities and educational media conferences/seminars.