Deadline: 19-Feb-23
The U.S. Embassy Tokyo’s Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for proposals to design, manage, and administer projects to engage with Japanese youth and deepen the understanding of U.S.-Japan relations, the importance of the U.S.-Japan relations, and shared values among Japanese youth as grassroot projects.
Program Objectives
- Youth outreach programs are an important means to advance U.S. foreign policy priorities by engaging with next generation leaders and students and/or their teachers/mentors. In this ever-changing world, young people are constantly bombarded with influences. While having options is good, young people in Japan – future leaders – also need guidance and mentorship from today’s exemplary leaders, influencers, and change makers.
- The Embassy welcomes innovative and creative proposals that contribute to youth empowerment efforts in Japan, focusing on grassroot outreach efforts to nationwide high school, university students, and/or young professionals. All programs must promote several topics in the Mission priorities; the proposal should detail specific social, bilateral, or global issues being addressed and approached with youth and explain uniqueness, effectiveness, and impact of the approaches in the programs.
- All programs must include an American element such as a connection with American student/s, expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s, in a specific field that will promote the understanding of specified U.S. policies and perspectives, or discussions by Japanese speakers regarding their experience in the United States. Potential program topics include, but are not limited to:
- Understanding of U.S.-Japan alliance;
- Strengthening regional security;
- Development of key leadership skills;
- Diversity and inclusion;
- Girls’/women’s empowerment;
- Student entrepreneurship spirit;
- Civil engagement – American culture and values;
- Improvement of English skills in communication and presentations.
- The proposal for this particular NOFO should determine the program impact based on the number of youth reached and influenced, as well as how many topics covered throughout the program. The sustainability of the program should be addressed with a plan of how to stay engaged with the newly tapped group.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Up to 24 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 2-4 awards
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $100,000
Priority Region: Japan and/or U.S.-Japan. U.S.-Japan-ROK and U.S.-Japan-Indo Pacific regions will also be considered.
Participants and Audiences: The program designers and implementors should come up with strategies on how to define their “youth” participants as next-generation leaders and should address immediate and mid-term/long-term outcome you expect in the youth’s perspectives, attitudes, or behaviors after the programs.
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
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Japan.