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 proposals to engage in the capacity building of U.S. government program alumni, through alumni-driven projects or programs that facilitate alumni leadership development and networks necessary to pursue and protect American interests abroad.
The Embassy welcomes proposals that address these complex issues. The proposal should detail the specific social issue(s) being addressed, explain the approaches that are being implemented to solve these issues, and highlight its impact, effectiveness, and future sustainability. With a required exchange program, the proposal must also contain an element that focuses on the collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Japan.
All programs must include an American element, such as a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives, or discussions by Japanese speakers regarding their experience in the United States.
And in order to promote collaboration and alumni network-building, projects should be submitted by teams of at least two alumni, with the “team lead” being a Japanese citizen alumnus/a to Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Tokyo. Project activities should take place in Japan and should multiply the effects of participants’ exchange experience by positively impacting communities in Japan.
Priority Areas
The Embassy is particularly interested in supporting the following priority areas:
- Strengthen U.S. Department of State ties to Japanese citizen alumni by offering benefits which allow them to expand upon their exchange experiences and use the skills they developed abroad to address shared global challenges;
- Provide Japanese alumni with information, resources, and networks that will allow them to leverage skills and experiences gained through their exchanges to prosper in a globalized world and marketplace;
- Support alumni-driven initiatives that address international issues of common concern and promote mutual understanding between the United States and Japan;
- Reinforce existing alumni program identities and build a sense of common identity among past participants of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.
Funding Information
- Awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $40,000;
- Total available funding: $141,000.
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 Region: Japan
Eligibility Criteria
- The Embassy will only consider grants that are geared toward Japanese audiences;
- Only Japanese alumni of U.S. Department of State programs and organizations whose project targets Japanese alumni of U.S. Department of State programs are eligible to apply:
- Alumni teams must have a minimum of two [2] alumni members (including the team leader) who are U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program alumni. As for organizations, no required to meet this condition.
- Individuals: Japanese citizens who participated in the following U.S. Government sponsored exchange programs:
- American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL);
- American English E-Teacher Program;
- East-West Center;
- Eisenhower Fellowship;
- Fulbright scholarship;
- International Visitor Leadership Program (including Voluntary Visitor Program);
- National Personnel Authority (NPA);
- Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs);
- The Exchange Visitor Program (J1 visa) (example: Japan Internship for the Development of Young Leaders);
- TOMODACHI Initiative Program, and;
- Other U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs.
- Organizations: Organizations must have a clear connection with Japanese citizens who participated in the above U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs:
- Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience;
- Non-profit or governmental educational institutions;
- Governmental institutions.
- 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
- Please 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=323924