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Salary Assistance Grant for U.S.-Japan Community Grassroots Exchange Program

Overview

Grant typePrepaid grant
Proposal deadlineJuly 20, 2023
Funding opportunityInstitutional funding for U.S.-based institutions/organizations with 501(c)(3) status
BenefitsMaximum of $32,000

This program aims to support the creation of new Japanese-themed programming and activities for local communities and beyond by providing funding for the position that will design and implement the programing. 

Proposed programming must be Japan-related; however, the types of events may vary (e.g., in-person workshop, online lecture, etc.) as well as the topics (e.g. culture, business, professional development, Japanese Studies etc. excluding Japanese Language). 

Japanese Language or/and Japanese Studies departments at U.S. universities and U. S. based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that promote grassroots cultural exchange are welcome to apply.

Deadline: 5:00 p.m. (EST), Thursday, July 20, 2023

Join our Info session on May 31 at 2pm ET to learn about the Salary Assistance Grant and how to apply.

Grantee Highlights

The Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS)
Research Foundation of the City of University of New York (Hunter College)
Georgia Tech Research Corporation

Grant Coverage

  1. Personnel costs: up to $30,000; for the staff member.
  2. Activity costs/honorarium: up to $2,000; for materials needed for outreach activities, including honorarium for guest speaker(s).

A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the total project budget must be secured from non-JF sources such as the applying institution, a collaborating institution, and/or other sources.

Eligibility

  1. Higher education institutions in the United States with Japanese Studies and/or Japanese language programs and organizations that promote grassroots cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan.
    ※Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code.
  2. The following organizations are not eligible:
    • JOI host sites for Year 20 (2022-2024) and Year 21 (2023-2025)
    • Japan America Societies/ Japan Societies with memberships of NAJAS
    • Recipients of 2022 JFNY Salary Assistance Grant for U.S.-Japan Community Grassroots Exchange

Requirements

Projects are required to have the following elements:

  1. Minimum of 20 total events, such as lectures, seminars, workshops, or activities that support dialogue and networking;
  2. Project length can be no longer than twelve (12) months;
  3. Projects must begin between September 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. Preparation for the events (e.g. staff recruitment) may be included in the grant period;
  4. A minimum of twenty percent (20%) of the total project budget must be secured from non-JF sources such as the applying institution, a collaborating institution, and/or other sources.
  5. Plan for the staff position that will be dedicated to conducting activities, including job description and onboarding plan, if applicable.
  6. Clear and concrete description of the project including methodology, collaborators, target audience, events, goals of the project, and anticipated outcomes; 
  7. Viable sustainability plan that is clearly articulated and extends well after JF support;
  8. Clear publicity plan for outreach, including dissemination methods and plans;

Priorities

Priorities will be given to the following:

  • Demonstration of impact and tangible outcomes;
  • Demonstration of fresh and innovative outreach activities;
  • Attention towards underserved areas of the Midwest, South, and Mountain states as well as non-traditional audiences that have not been previously exposed to Japanese culture and topics;
  • Projects proposed by or involving collaboration with a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and/or Community College;
  • Projects that collaborate with larger community in the region (K-12, universities, museums, businesses, Japan-related organizations, organization/institution in Japan etc.).

Proposals that are the same or very similar to previously supported projects will be given a lower priority. Additionally, ongoing projects will be given a lower priority unless a new aspect to the programming is demonstrated, such as expanding audience reach or increasing offerings.

How to Apply

Please download and read the guidelines prior to starting the application process. Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. (EST), July 20, 2023

  1. Complete the online Grant Application form.
  2. Include the following attachments:
    1. Narrative Description of the Project
    2. Detailed Budget (use JF excel template)
    3. Curricula Vitae for the Project Director and the JF supported staff member
    4. Organization Information Form (use JF template)
    5. Proof of 501(c)(3) status
    6. Institutional Information

    Applicants will be notified of the results in early September of 2023. For questions, please contact GEEprogram@jpf.go.jp

Past Awardees