Skip to content

Grant for Grassroots Exchange: U.S.-Japan Community Networking 

Overview

Grant typePrepaid grant
Proposal deadlineRolling (A concept paper must be submitted at least 3 months prior to the start date of the project)
Funding opportunityInstitutional funding for U.S.-based institutions/organizations with 501(c)(3) status
BenefitsMaximum of $10,000

The Grant for Grassroots Exchange: U.S.-Japan Community Networking supports projects that create and develop networks between the U.S. and Japan at the grassroots level. Successful projects may receive awards of up to $10,000. 

Project examples include, but are not limited to: 

  • Developing a partnership between organizations in the U.S. and Japan to deepen mutual understanding at the local level and build capacity for U.S.-Japan  exchange. 
  • Hosting a symposium, conference, or workshop to support dialogue and networking between the U.S. and Japan 
  • Creating and developing new projects with sister city organizations to address shared community issues 

Deadline: Concept papers are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted at least 3 months prior to the start date of the project. 

Grant Coverage

Requests may be up to $10,000, inclusive of indirect costs

  1. Direct costs (reasonable costs directly related to the proposed project)
    • A. Personnel & Honoraria: staff, guest speakers, etc.
    • B. Travel and Per Diem: airfare, transportation, accommodation, and meals
    • C. Conference Costs: venue rental, interpretation, etc.
    • D. Report & Publication Costs: printing, web-related expenses, etc.
  2. Indirect costs (overhead): this grant can support IDC of up to 10% of the total direct costs supported by JF.

A minimum of 20% of the total project budget must be secured from non-JF sources such as the applying institution or other foundations. 

Please note: this grant cannot support capital funds and endowment drives, rent, the procurement of equipment, etc. 

Eligibility

  1. Only submissions from U.S. institutions and organizations with 501(c)(3) status will be accepted.
  2. JF will not support the same project beyond three years.
  3. Projects receiving grants from other JF programs (including JF Los Angeles) are not eligible for the Japan-U.S. Global Partnerships Small Grant.

JFNY will not consider proposals for the following:

  1. Individuals and for-profit entities 
  2. Projects receiving funding through other Japan Foundation programs (including JF Los Angeles) in the current fiscal year (April 2026 – March 2027) 
  3. Organizations that have received a JFNY Japan-U.S. Global Partnerships Small grant or Grant for Grassroots Exchange: U.S.-Japan Community Networking for three consecutive years 
  4. Japanese-language education programs; please contact the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles for Japanese-language grants 
  5. Projects that are purely technical or scientific in nature 
  6. Projects that include political activities, religious activities, or commercial activities 
  7. Student exchange programs oriented around sightseeing or study abroad programs 

Requirements

Projects are required to have the following elements:

  1. At least one symposium, conference, workshop, or seminar that support dialogue and networking 
  2. At least one public event or a public report demonstrating the outcomes of the project 
  3. A strong Japan component as a core of the project (e.g., participants and/or collaborators depending on the nature of the project) 
  4. A minimum of 20% of the total project budget secured from non-JFNY sources such as the applying institution or other sources 

Priorities

  1. Projects proposed by or involving collaboration with underrepresented populations (e.g. a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) will be prioritized 
  2. Projects that establish new and sustainable connections between U.S.-based and Japan-based organizations will be prioritized
  3. Projects that reach a significant number of community members will be prioritized 

Ongoing and annual events will be given lower priority. Projects that reach only a limited audience will also be considered lower priority. 

Review Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed on:

  1. Expected impact on the audience and broader community 
  2. Organizational ability to carry out the project 
  3. Rationale for the need of JFNY support, and cost efficiency of budget 
  4. Sustainability of project beyond the grant period 

How to Apply

First Step: Concept Paper

Concept papers must be submitted at least 3 months prior to the start date of the project and should include:

  • Narrative of 3-4 pages (no maximum), including overall objective, description, and anticipated outcomes/outputs of the project
  • Brief timeline of major project activities
  • Names of primary participating individuals and organizations
  • Amount of request to JF and budget item estimates

Please submit your concept paper to: GEEprogram@jpf.go.jp

JFNY will review the concept paper and will notify applicants whether they are invited to submit an application.

Second Step: Application

By invitation only. Applications must complete the form below and submit the following materials through online form:

  1. Complete the online Grant Application form
    • Authorized Representative and Project Director must be two different individuals, and from the applying institution.
    • When selecting a Grant Period, please keep in mind that all payments and reimbursements must be made within these dates.
  2. Narrative description of the project (up to 10 pages) should include:
    • Project background, rationale, and objectives
    • Participating organizations and individuals
    • Details about intended audience
    • Methodology including project activities and project timeline
    • Dissemination plan, including plans to reach audiences beyond direct participants
    • Anticipated impact including number of people served and outcomes/outputs
    • Details of the public events/ public reports 
    • Status of preparation
    • Budget justification
    • Plans for sustainability of the project beyond the grant period
  3. CV of project director and key participants (including those receiving salary support or honoraria)
  4. Proof of 501(c)(3) status
    • Please submit a copy of the submitting institution’s IRS determination letter indicating tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
  5. Institutional information (e.g., the most recent annual report and/or the most recent IRS Form 990)
  6. JFNY Budget Template with total project funding, total project cost, and amount and items requested from JFNY. Please see the template for more details.
    • Please use the excel budget provided by JFNY and fill out the “Applicant Budget” tab
    • Please provide a detailed breakdown for each line item (e.g. $X * X pp * X days)
    • Indicate a minimum of 20% cost-share from sources other than JF, such as the applying institution, collaborating institution, and/or other sources
    • Indirect costs (overhead) of up to 10% of the total direct costs supported by JFNY
      • Note: JFNY CANNOT cover capital funds and endowment drives, rent, or the procurement of equipment
  7. Commitment letters from the collaborating individual/organization related to Japan. However, if the nature of the project necessitates participants be decided at a later point in the project, then commitment from those participants is not required at the time of application. 

For questions, please contact: GEEprogram@jpf.go.jp

List of Past Awardees