United States-Japan Foundation Grants Program 2026

Deadline: 26-Jun-2026

The United States-Japan Foundation Grants Program provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that strengthen cooperation between the United States and Japan. The program supports initiatives that address shared challenges, promote bilateral partnerships, and develop solutions to local, regional, and global issues through meaningful U.S.-Japan collaboration.

What Is the United States-Japan Foundation Grants Program?

The United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) Grants Program supports nonprofit-led initiatives that contribute to stronger relations between the United States and Japan.

The program aims to:

• Strengthen bilateral relations between the U.S. and Japan.
• Address challenges shared by both countries.
• Encourage regional and global problem-solving.
• Support innovative partnerships and collaboration.
• Promote long-term engagement between organizations and communities.

Projects should demonstrate how cooperation between U.S. and Japanese partners can create positive outcomes and lasting impact.

Program Objectives

The Foundation supports projects that:

• Strengthen U.S.-Japan relations.
• Promote mutual understanding and cooperation.
• Encourage collaborative problem-solving.
• Foster long-term partnerships.
• Generate measurable benefits for both countries.

Key objectives include:

• Addressing common challenges.
  • Economic issues
  • Social issues
  • Environmental concerns
  • Policy challenges
  • Technological developments
• Building stronger partnerships.
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Research centers
  • Community organizations
  • Policy and leadership networks
• Supporting global engagement.
  • Regional cooperation
  • International dialogue
  • Cross-border solutions
  • Knowledge sharing

Funding Priorities

The Foundation prioritizes projects that:

• Demonstrate strong U.S.-Japan collaboration.
• Address issues of mutual interest.
• Offer innovative approaches.
• Create measurable outcomes.
• Build sustainable partnerships.

Competitive projects often include:

• Joint research initiatives
• Educational programs
• Leadership development activities
• Public policy discussions
• Community engagement projects
• Cross-cultural exchange initiatives

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Educational institutions with nonprofit status
• Research organizations operating as nonprofits
• Tax-exempt entities
• Other nonprofit institutions aligned with the Foundation’s mission

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following are generally ineligible:

• Individual applicants
• For-profit companies
• Political organizations
• Election campaign groups
• Lobbying organizations

Grant funds cannot be used for:

• Lobbying activities
• Political campaigns
• Election-related activities
• Support for candidates seeking public office

What Types of Projects Are Supported?

The Foundation welcomes projects focused on:

Research and Policy

• Policy analysis
• Joint research studies
• International cooperation initiatives
• Strategic dialogue programs

Education and Leadership

• Academic partnerships
• Leadership training
• Professional development
• Educational exchanges

Community Engagement

• Public forums
• Workshops
• Community-based initiatives
• Civic engagement programs

Regional and Global Problem-Solving

• Sustainability projects
• Technology collaboration
• Economic development initiatives
• International cooperation efforts

Proposal Requirements

Applicants must submit a concise and compelling proposal that demonstrates the project’s significance, uniqueness, and potential impact.

Proposal Narrative Length

The narrative section should not exceed approximately:

4,000 words

The limit excludes:

• Budget documents
• Resumes or CVs
• Appendices
• Supporting materials

Required Project Abstract

Every application must include an abstract that summarizes the project.

The abstract should answer the following questions:

Who?

• Who is leading the project?
• Which organizations are involved?
• Who are the key participants and stakeholders?

What?

• What activities will be conducted?
• What outcomes are expected?
• What deliverables will be produced?

Where?

• Where will the project take place?
• Which communities or regions will benefit?

When?

• When will activities occur?
• What is the project timeline?

How?

• How will the project be implemented?
• What methods or strategies will be used?

Why?

• Why is the project important?
• Why is the initiative needed now?
• Why will it strengthen U.S.-Japan relations?

How to Write a Strong Project Description

The project description should provide a detailed explanation of the proposed initiative.

Describe Project Activities

Clearly explain:

• Planned events
• Research activities
• Workshops and meetings
• Outreach efforts
• Expected deliverables

Identify Participants

Include information about:

• Lead organization
• Partner organizations
• Project staff
• Advisors and experts
• Beneficiaries

Explain the Impact

Describe:

• How the project strengthens U.S.-Japan relations.
• How collaboration will be enhanced.
• What outcomes are expected.
• How success will be measured.

Explain Why the Project Is Timely

Discuss:

• Current challenges being addressed.
• Emerging opportunities.
• Recent developments that make the project relevant.

Discuss the Current State of the Field

Provide information about:

• Existing programs
• Similar initiatives
• Current research
• Gaps your project will address

Highlight What Makes Your Project Unique

Explain:

• Innovative features
• Distinctive approaches
• New partnerships
• Unique contributions to the field

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that your organization:

• Has nonprofit status.
• Meets Foundation requirements.
• Aligns with the Foundation’s mission.

Step 2: Develop Your Project Concept

Your project should:

• Address a shared challenge.
• Involve U.S.-Japan collaboration.
• Have clear goals and outcomes.
• Demonstrate potential impact.

Step 3: Prepare the Project Abstract

Include:

• Who
• What
• Where
• When
• How
• Why

Step 4: Draft the Proposal Narrative

Cover:

• Project objectives
• Activities
• Partnerships
• Timeline
• Expected outcomes
• Evaluation methods

Step 5: Prepare Supporting Documents

Gather:

• Budget information
• Organizational details
• Resumes or CVs
• Additional supporting materials

Step 6: Submit the Application

Review all materials carefully before submission and ensure compliance with all Foundation guidelines.

Why This Grant Matters

The U.S.-Japan relationship is one of the world’s most important bilateral partnerships.

This grant program helps:

• Strengthen international cooperation.
• Promote innovation and knowledge sharing.
• Encourage long-term partnerships.
• Support collaborative solutions.
• Address challenges affecting both countries.

Potential benefits include:

• Stronger institutional networks
• Increased policy cooperation
• Enhanced educational partnerships
• Improved community engagement
• Greater regional and global impact

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following mistakes:

• Failing to explain U.S.-Japan relevance.
• Submitting vague project objectives.
• Providing limited partnership details.
• Overlooking measurable outcomes.
• Ignoring similar initiatives in the field.
• Failing to explain project uniqueness.
• Exceeding proposal length recommendations.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve competitiveness:

• Clearly align with the Foundation’s mission.
• Demonstrate meaningful bilateral cooperation.
• Present realistic and achievable goals.
• Include experienced project partners.
• Highlight innovation and originality.
• Provide measurable outcomes.
• Explain long-term sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who can apply for the United States-Japan Foundation Grants Program?

• Eligible applicants include:
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Educational institutions with nonprofit status
  • Research organizations operating as nonprofits
  • Tax-exempt nonprofit entities
• Individual applicants are generally not eligible.

• What types of projects are funded?

The Foundation supports projects that:

• Strengthen U.S.-Japan relations.
• Promote bilateral cooperation.
• Address shared challenges.
• Encourage regional and global problem-solving.

Examples include:

• Research projects
• Educational initiatives
• Leadership programs
• Community engagement activities
• Policy and dialogue programs

• Can individuals apply for funding?

• No.
• Grants are awarded exclusively to nonprofit organizations and eligible nonprofit institutions.

• What is the maximum proposal narrative length?

• Approximately 4,000 words.
• The limit does not include:
  • Budgets
  • Resumes or CVs
  • Appendices
  • Supporting documents

• What should be included in the project abstract?

The abstract should explain:

• Who is involved
• What activities will take place
• Where the project will occur
• When activities will be conducted
• How the project will be implemented
• Why the project is important

• Can grant funds be used for lobbying or political activities?

• No.
• Grant funds cannot support:
  • Lobbying efforts
  • Election campaigns
  • Political candidates
  • Political advocacy activities

• What makes a proposal competitive?

Strong proposals typically:

• Demonstrate clear U.S.-Japan collaboration.
• Address important shared challenges.
• Show innovation and originality.
• Include measurable outcomes.
• Explain long-term impact.
• Align closely with the Foundation’s mission.

Conclusion

The United States-Japan Foundation Grants Program offers nonprofit organizations an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Japan through innovative and impactful initiatives. By supporting projects that address shared challenges and promote long-term collaboration, the Foundation helps build stronger bilateral relationships while contributing to regional and global solutions.

Organizations that demonstrate clear U.S.-Japan engagement, measurable impact, strong partnerships, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission will be best positioned to develop competitive grant proposals.

For more information, visit United States-Japan Foundation.