United States: Education Grant Program (up to $5,000)

Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity

The Japan Foundation is accepting applications for its Education Grant Program to support projects from nonprofit organizations that will assist K-12 students, teachers, and the community deepen their understanding about Japan, promote cross-cultural exchange, and nurture global perspectives.

Priority Areas

• This grant program prioritizes projects that:
  • Reach underserved schools and communities with little exposure to Japan, particularly in the Midwest, Mountain, and South regions
  • *Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI);
  • Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY);
  • South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV)
  • Reach a significant number of students, educators, or community members
  • Involve individuals and organizations new to the field of K-12 education on Japan
  • Connect with local resources such as museums, higher education institutions, Japan-America Societies, Japanese businesses, and the resident Japanese community of families, students, and professionals
  • Demonstrate innovation and potential for replication in other regions

Funding Information

• Successful projects are awarded up to $5,000.

Cost Covered

• Direct costs (reasonable costs directly related to the proposed project).
  • Personnel & Honoraria: staff, guest speakers, etc.
  • Travel (International, Domestic): airfare, transportation, etc.
  • Per Diem: accommodation, meals
  • Conference Costs: venue rental, interpretation, etc.
  • Report & Publication Costs: printing, advertising-related costs. etc.

Eligible Projects

• Project examples include:
  • Educational outreach projects, such as lectures about Japanese culture and society or teacher workshops on how to teach Japanese culture and society.
  • Cultural events such as performances, exhibitions, festivals, movie screenings, readings, and demonstrations of Japanese arts; must include an educational outreach component (e.g. interactive presentations, lectures, workshops)

Eligibility Criteria

• Project must commence between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Preparatory activities can be included in the time frame of the project.
• Only submissions from U.S. institutions and organizations with 501(c)(3) status will be accepted

Ineligibility Criteria

• JFNY will not consider proposals for the following:
  • Japanese-language education programs; please contact the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles for Japanese-language education programs
  • Medical or scientific research-focused projects
  • Projects that include political activities, religious activities, social welfare activities, and commercial activities
  • Study tours and research trips to Japan

Application Requirements

• 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.
• Narrative Description of the Project
  • Free form, up to 10 pages
  • Please describe your project in as much detail as possible. The narrative must include all of the following:
    • Project background, rationale, and objectives
    • Participating organizations and individuals
    • Intended audience
    • Methodology including project activities and project timeline
    • Dissemination plan
    • Anticipated impact including number of people served, and outcomes outputs
    • Status of preparation
    • Budget justification
    • Future plans for sustainability of the project
  • Curriculum Vitae of the project director, and biography of key participants and individuals receiving personnel or honoraria costs
  • Proof of tax-exempt status
    • Please submit a copy of your IRS determination letter indicating that the organization is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
  • Institutional information (annual report, etc.)
  • Detailed budget
    • Please use the excel budget included in the Application and fill out the “Applicant Budget” tab.
    • Please provide a detailed breakdown for each line item (for ex: $X  Xpp  X days). Amounts must be rounded down to the nearest cent.
    • The breakdown should correspond to the Amount Requested from JF.
    • Budget requests should be explained in the narrative.
    • Indicate a minimum of 20% cost-share from sources other than JFNY, such as the applying institution, collaborating institution, and or other sources.

For more information, visit Japan Foundation.