FY2022 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Alumni Capacity Building | TOKYO PAS FY22 01 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for TOKYO PAS FY22 01 01

The FY2022 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Alumni Capacity Building opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: TOKYO PAS FY22 01 01) is a discretionary funding program run by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan, through the Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section. It invites proposals for alumni-driven projects that strengthen the capacity, leadership, and connectedness of Japanese alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange and professional programs. The core idea is to re-energize alumni who often return to Japan highly motivated right after an exchange, but gradually lose momentum over time. The Embassy is looking for creative approaches that rekindle that post-program enthusiasm while also channeling alumni skills into practical initiatives that benefit communities in Japan and advance shared U.S.-Japan interests.

Projects are expected to be rooted in a clearly defined social issue (or issues) that alumni are well-positioned to address. Strong proposals are expected to explain what the issue is, why it matters, what specific approach the alumni team will take, and how results will be measured. Just as important, proposals should lay out why the work will last beyond the grant period, including sustainability plans that keep alumni engaged and maintain the network after the funded activities end. A visible U.S.-Japan collaboration component is required, meaning the program should not just be an internal alumni gathering, but a set of activities that reinforces cooperation and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The Embassy highlights several priority outcomes. One is strengthening ties between the Department of State and Japanese exchange alumni by giving alumni meaningful opportunities to build on their U.S. experiences and apply the skills they gained abroad to shared global challenges. Another is providing alumni with information, resources, and networks that help them thrive in a global economy and workplace. The Embassy also prioritizes alumni-led initiatives that tackle international issues of mutual concern and deepen U.S.-Japan understanding, along with efforts that reinforce existing alumni identities while also building a broader, shared identity across different U.S. government exchange programs.

Every proposed program must include a clear "American element." This can take several forms, such as partnerships or engagement with U.S. experts, U.S. organizations, or U.S. institutions connected to the project theme, or structured opportunities for Japanese alumni to discuss and reflect on their experiences in the United States in ways that foster greater understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives. The program must engage Japanese audiences, and activities should take place in Japan with an emphasis on multiplying the impact of alumni exchanges by creating tangible, positive effects in local communities. Programs may be conducted in person or virtually, but because the notice was issued during a period of COVID-related travel limitations, applicants are expected to include a credible plan for virtual engagement as part of their design.

The opportunity is structured to encourage collaboration among alumni rather than solo efforts. Proposals should be submitted by teams of at least two alumni, with a Japanese citizen alumnus serving as the team lead. The Embassy will only consider grants that involve Japanese alumni of U.S. government programs. Eligible applicants can include Japanese U.S. government-sponsored exchange alumni organizations that already exist before applying (with at least two alumni members, including the team leader), as well as other organizations whose projects focus on U.S. government-sponsored exchange program alumni. The applicant is expected to budget for interpretation and translation, reflecting the practical need to support bilingual or cross-cultural programming and to ensure the American element is accessible and effective.

From an administrative and funding standpoint, awards are expected to be made as grants or cooperative agreements. The award ceiling is $60,000, and the Embassy anticipated making approximately two awards under this notice. The original application closing date listed for this FY2022 competition was April 15, 2022, and the priority region for the work is Japan. The funding activity categories are broad, spanning areas such as education, community development, business and commerce, environment and energy, health, law and justice, disaster prevention, science and technology, and other related fields, which signals that the Embassy is open to a wide range of alumni-led themes as long as they fit the objectives and include the required U.S.-Japan collaborative component.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan in the agriculture, business and commerce, community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment, labor and training, energy, environment, food and nutrition, health, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), information and statistics, law, justice and legal services, natural resources, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification), regional development, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2022 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Alumni Capacity Building" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 22, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 15, 2022. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $60,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for TOKYO PAS FY22 01 01

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