Deadline: 19-Feb-23
The U.S. Consulate Fukuoka’s Public Affairs Section announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to train Japanese universities on how to create curriculum focused on training students to be successful in STEM fields critical to the modern international economy, with a specific focus on the semiconductor industry.
Program Objectives
- The goal of this program is to advance American prosperity and economic security, including through global and regional cooperation.
- In a push to reduce Japan’s reliance on foreign sources in manufacturing supply chains and address semiconductor shortages, since 2021 the Japanese government has identified the revitalization of the semiconductor industry as a key pillar in bolstering its economic security. Epitomizing this effort, the Government of Japan has committed up to 400 billion yen ($2.8 billion) to support the development of Taiwan based TSMC’s one trillion yen ($6.8 billion) Japan chip plant, which is a joint venture with Sony Semiconductor and Denso Corporation in Japan’s southwestern region of Kyushu. Described as a once in a generation project, Kyushu Financial Group announced an expected 1.8 trillion yen ($12.3 billion) economic impact within the first two years of the factory’s operations. However, persistent labor shortages, particularly among skilled workers, have somewhat tempered optimism about the project’s immediate impact, and Japan’s semiconductor-related industrial base remains heavily reliant on imports from Taiwan, among other countries. Growing the global talent pool at all levels would avoid unhealthy competition for human resources and instead strengthen the talent base in countries committed to democratic principles, the rule of law, and, especially for Japan, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- Labor shortages are expected to be a major bottleneck the further revitalization of the semiconductor industry. This training workshop will help ensure American universities with expertise in relations with the private sector can help Japanese educational institutions develop appropriate curriculum for students to be successful in high-tech fields necessary to securing global supply chains. One Kyushu-based university has even announced it will soon launch a new Semiconductor Department, which plans to launch in 2024 to train a high-tech labor force to support new factories being built in the area.
- This grant will go to fund an organization to train Japanese educators on how to create curriculum focused on training students to be successful in STEM fields critical to the modern international economy, with a specific focus on the semiconductor industry. This will consist of a two-day in-person workshop in Japan focused on how educational institutions can coordinate with and develop curriculum that serves the need of high-tech manufacturers. The workshop will cover topics such as: establishing technical courses that meet industries’ needs, business and process management in tech, effective coordination with manufacturers and government, and developing security processes to prevent illicit technology transfer. The workshop should also include a discussion of DEIA principles in tech in the U.S. today, especially the role of promoting gender equality.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Up to 24 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $50,000
Priority Region: Japan (Kyushu area)
Participants and Audiences
- The target audiences of the online and in-person workshop are: Professors and administrative staff at Japanese educational institutions (such as Kumamoto University, Kyushu University, Kyushu Institute of Technology, and others); Japanese prefectural and local government officials (such as officials at the Kyushu office of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), prefectural and city government officials in areas with a significant presence of semiconductor-related companies, representatives from the semiconductor industry; and representatives from the business sector.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public international organizations and governmental institutions
- Individuals
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Japan.