U.S. Embassy Tokyo announces U.S. Government Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building in Japan

Deadline: 31 July 2019

The U.S. Embassy Tokyo has announced that funding is available for any eligible Japanese citizen alumnus/a of a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program to propose projects that build on their exchange experiences. 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 or alumna.

Project activities should take place in Japan, and should multiply the effects of participants’ exchange experience by positively impacting communities in Japan.

Purpose

U.S. Embassy Tokyo invites Statement of Interest (SOI) for projects that advance U.S. foreign policy by means of robust alumni programs. U.S. Embassy Tokyo engages Japanese alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs to develop the leadership capacity and networks necessary to pursue and protect American interests abroad, in particular in Japan.

Through the FY2019 U.S. Exchange Alumni Network and Capacity Building Program, U.S. Embassy Tokyo aims to:

• 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.

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.

Priority Program Areas

The ideal program will address one or more of the below Priority Program Areas:

• U.S. – JAPAN BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
  • Programs that seek to explain U.S. policies, culture, and values to Japanese audiences, resulting in a positive impact on the bilateral relationship.
• REGIONAL SECURITY
  • Programs that address issues of regional security, non-proliferation, and countering violent extremism, as well as exchanges that promote multilateral cooperation and enhance stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
• ECONOMIC GROWTH
  • Programs related to bilateral trade, a free and open Indo-Pacific region, investment, economic integration, entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property rights, and women’s empowerment.
• SOCIAL ISSUES
  • Programs that seek to promote a better understanding of human rights and diversity and inclusion.
• ENGLISH TEACHING
  • Programs that promote teacher training in areas related to English teaching, or those that enhance English learning among Japanese youth.
• EDUCATION
  • Programs related to promoting study in the United States, the internationalization of Japanese universities, and/or capacity the building of linkages between American and Japanese institutions of higher learning.
• ALUMNI NETWORK DEVELOPMENT
  • Programs related to building a network of U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumni; increasing the capacity of existing alumni networks; or encouraging alumni to share their U.S. experience with the Japanese public.

Funding Information

• Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $1,000.00 to a maximum of $20,000.00
• Total available funding: $40,000.00
• Length of performance period: Up to 24 months

Eligible Alumni Applicants

• U.S. Embassy Tokyo encourages alumni applications from Japan only:
  • Individuals: Japanese citizens who participated in following U.S. Governmentsponsored 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
    • Alumni teams must have a minimum of two [2] alumni members (including the team leader) who are former participants in a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program.
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.

How to Apply

Please send project and budget Statement of Interest (SOI) at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=314194