U.S. Embassy Tokyo’s Public Affairs Section: Alumni Capacity Building 2021

Deadline: 31-Mar-21

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.

Program Objectives

The U.S. government selects incredible individuals to participate in a number of different U.S. government programs. Individuals learn and network with great minds from around the world. During and immediately after programs, participants are often energized to build on what they have learned; however, as time passes, the energy dies away and motivation is lost when alumni encounter hurdles to realizing their goals.
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.

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 that 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

Length of performance period: Up to 24 months;
Number of awards anticipated: 1-3 awards (dependent on amounts) awards (dependent on amounts);
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $40,000;
Total available funding: $65,000.

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 fees.

Participants and Audiences

The Embassy will only consider grants that involve Japanese alumni of U.S. government (USG) program audiences.
Applicants should be either Japanese USG Sponsored Exchange Alumni Organizations, who have already created an organization prior to applying for the NOFO with a minimum of two alumni (one of who is the team leader), or organizations whose projects focus on U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program alumni.
Priority Region: Japan.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

USG Sponsored Exchange Alumni Teams with Japanese alumni;
Organizations whose project targets Japanese alumni of U.S. Department of State programs are eligible to apply:
Organizations
- USG Sponsored Exchange Alumni Teams: Alumni Teams must create an unincorporated association or a voluntary organization prior to applying for the NOFO. The Alumni Teams must have a minimum of two [2] alumni members (one of which is the team leader) who are Japanese citizens that participated in at least one of the following U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs:
  - American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL);
  - American English E-Teacher Program;
  - East-West Center;
  - Fulbright scholarship;
  - International Visitor Leadership Program (including IVLP On-Demand Program) – National Personnel Authority (NPA);
  - Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSIs) – BridgeUSA (Used to be called the Exchange Visitor Program (J1 visa) – example: Japan Internship for the Development of Young Leaders), and
  - Other U.S. Government-sponsored exchange programs.
Other 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.

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 the 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 the 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 a positive impact after the end of the program.