Deadline: 31 March 2020
The U.S. Embassy Tokyo’s Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program that aims to promote social inclusion for people with disabilities, with a particular focus on inclusive education and/or promoting job and career development opportunities for people with disabilities.
Funding Information
Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $75,000.
Funding Restrictions
The following types of projects or activities are not eligible for funding:
- Projects relating to partisan political activity;
- Charitable or development activities;
- Construction projects;
- Projects that support specific religious activities;
- Fund-raising campaigns;
- Lobbying for specific legislation or projects
- Scientific research;
- Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
- Projects seeking funds for personal use;
- Projects that require participation fee.
Priority Areas
- Programs that enhance accessibility in higher education to facilitate better job opportunities;
- Special training programs for promoting career development for people with disabilities;
- “Train the trainer” programs to better equip those serving disabled job seekers;
- Programs that mitigate factors that results in low employment rate for people with disabilities.
The program also needs to be designed to strengthen ties between U.S. and Japanese institutions in the areas of education and employment of people with disabilities.
Priority Region: Japan
Eligibility Criteria
- The Embassy will only consider grants that are geared toward Japanese audiences;
- 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.
- Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be ineligible.
Evaluation Criteria
Each application will be evaluated and rated using the criteria outlined below:
- Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea – 25 points: The program idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.
- Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Grants – 25 points: The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.
- Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives – 15 points: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.
- Budget – 10 points: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.
- Monitoring and evaluation plan – 15 points: Applicant demonstrates ability to measure program success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators, and shows how and when those will be measured.
- Sustainability – 10 points: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. Cost sharing will be considered here.
Review and Selection Process
A Grants Review Committee will review and evaluate all eligible applications, selecting those with the highest scores based on the criteria above for funding. All applicants will be notified by email of the committee’s decision no later than September 30, 2020.
How to Apply
- Ensure that the proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity;
- All documents must be in English;
- All budgets must be in U.S.dollars;
- Submit applications as a Microsoft Word document, single-spaced, 12- point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins and numbered pages electronically via email at the address given on the website.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=323979