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 cooperative agreement proposals to design, implement, and oversee the inaugural Ambassador’s Youth Council Country-Wide Conference (AYC Japan Conference).
Program Objectives
- The award recipient will be responsible for planning and administering all components and aspects of a youth-focused AYC Japan Conference to take place in Tokyo, Japan, between September 2023 and June 2024, based on scheduling availability.
- The multi-day AYC Japan Conference will gather 50-70 AYC Tokyo alumni and AYC Kansai alumni.
- The award recipient should schedule the Conference event in coordination with the U.S. Mission to Japan at a mutually agreed upon date and location in Tokyo; design the announcement flyers and signups/applications; identify and secure speakers; plan AYC Japan Conference events and workshops; develop the agenda in cooperation with the U.S. Mission to Japan; oversee travel logistics; and manage follow-on activities.
- The AYC Japan Conference budget should be inclusive of all travel costs, accommodations, and meal arrangements for AYC Japan Conference participants and non-U.S. government speakers (U.S. government employees will cover their own travel costs).
- The award recipient should generate content for traditional and social media distribution, and measure program results. The budget should include limited costs for materials to promote the AYC programs such as t-shirts, bags, and pens, as well as program and promotional material.
- Participants will convene for the AYC Japan Conference to forge networks with leaders from the private, public, and non-profit sectors in the United States and across Japan, setting the stage for long-term engagement and connectivity. The AYC Japan Conference should include the following aspects:
- Interaction among AYC participants and senior U.S. government officials, U.S. business and civic leaders, and dynamic young leaders from Japan preferably with U.S. higher educational backgrounds;
- Inspirational speeches from emerging and prominent leaders in the region; integration of AYC and alumni of U.S. government exchange programs to serve as speakers, panelists, or activity leads;
- Opportunities for AYC participants to engage with each other and put into practice what they have learned through the AYC sessions;
- Experiential learning activities to hone relevant leadership skills;
- An emphasis on building ties in the Indo-pacific region as well as with the United States. Discussions on the importance of global partnership to advance human capital development;
- Proposals will be evaluated based on creativity, innovation, connectivity, originality, inclusivity, and logical continuity. Proposals will be also evaluated based on direct links between the proposed activities and the previous AYC sessions.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Up to 24 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
- Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $35,000 to a maximum of $50,000
Participants and Audiences
- The Public Affairs Section in Tokyo and Consulate General Osaka-Kobe invite ten Japanese undergraduate students who are highly motivated and demonstrate leadership and interest in the United States and U.S.-Japan relations to participate in six-month-long seminars, entitled the Ambassador’s Youth Council (AYC).
- Through this conference, AYC members, both past and present, would engage in a series of workshops and seminars, to address topics of interest to the U.S.-Japan relationship, continue building leadership skills, and network. Additionally, participants will be invited to share proposals for projects they would like to receive funding for through a microgrants program that will serve as seed money for AYCers to fund their projects. Other funding for this project will be used to cover participation fees, transportation, and other event costs.
Priority Region: Japan and/or U.S.-Japan.
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.