[ Print this page ]

J-Initiative

Proposal deadline:	Not accepting proposals for the 2012 Japanese Fiscal Year
Funding opportunity:	Institutional funding
Funding period:	Up to 3 years
Funding maximum:	$100,000/year
Contact:	Renay Loper

Program Detail

Through a relationship of over 150 years, the United States and Japan have forged deeper ties and achieved greater mutual understanding within many facets of society. Today, there are a multitude of active organizations in the US promoting US-Japan exchange, including for example, Japan America Societies, Japanese gardens, and Japanese-American civic societies. Furthermore, universities and museums in the US conduct various kinds of educational outreach programs on Japan. All of these diverse organizations help to form the invaluable basis for a strong US-Japan global partnership.

However, there remain areas in the US where access to Japanese society and culture is still limited. Therefore we should continue efforts to establish new centers and networks in these underserved regions. With advances in technology, including internet and digital media, innovative programs for exchange and outreach have been developed in various fields. We should strive to incorporate these innovations into the US-Japan exchange as much as possible. In addition, we should continue to foster the next generation who will bear the responsibility for promoting US-Japan exchange in the future.

Thus, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) is launched the “J-Initiative” launched in 2010 in order to promote networking, capacity building, and innovative program development for US-Japan exchange and outreach.

Eligibility

Please note the deadline has already passed for 2011.

Only US nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 status are eligible. The project duration can be up to three (3) years. The grant amount is up to $100,000 each year (inclusive of indirect costs), but will be decided after reviewing each project in terms of scale and necessity.  Projects must begin no earlier than October 1, 2011 and no later than March 31, 2012.

In order to further strengthen US-Japan exchange and outreach, the “J-Initiative” will support major organizations with the following activities:
1. J-Network will support projects to establish national and/or regional networks of various organizations in the field of US-Japan exchange and outreach. Projects should include conferences, symposia, research and information sharing through the internet, etc., in order to establish national and/or regional networks.
2. J-Center will support efforts to develop national and/or regional programs in US-Japan exchange and outreach. It will also support efforts for the capacity building of national and/or regional centers that are responsible for establishing and expanding networks and programs.
3. J-Next Generation will support programs to foster the next generation of leaders for US-Japan exchange and outreach. Target areas include training programs, workshops, conferences and other exchange programs to foster next generation leaders both in the US and Japan. Another target area will be educational outreach on Japan, including but not limited to development of curricula or teaching materials, development of Japan-related information resources online, and professional development workshops for educators.

Priorities

In general, the priority will be projects that aim for sustained impact and/or innovation. Ongoing projects and existing networks will be given low priority. The following will be given priority in terms of: 1. Impact. Projects that demonstrate national and/or regional impact. For regional networking and capacity building projects, reaching underserved areas including the Midwest, South, and Mountain states. 

2. Innovation. Projects that demonstrate the potential to change traditional concepts of exchange and outreach. Projects that utilize new technologies.
3. Collaboration. Coordinated projects that develop collaboration across different sectors, including business, government, universities, etc.
4. Sustainability. Projects that aim for financial sustainability well after the grant duration.

Specifically in each area, priority will be given to projects that demonstrate:
J-Network
1. Clear strategic goals such as information sharing, collaboration, and capacity building support. 
2. Feasible plan for financial sustainability. 
3. Existing network are a lesser priority, unless the projects substantially expand their network or develop new programs.

J-Center
1. Efforts to establish new programs or new centers.
2. Existing programs and centers are a lesser priority, unless the projects try to develop new management models for capacity building and sustainability.

J-Next Generation
1. Clear vision and strategic goals for projects to foster the next generation of leaders. Projects that are deeply issue-focused, rather than conducted for the sake of good-will or mainly tourist-oriented exchanges, will be prioritized.
2. National impact for educational outreach projects. For example, projects to develop resources and materials accessible to national or international audiences online would be of high priority.

Application Process

1. Concept Papers due by Thursday, March 10, 2011
CGP requests concept papers from prospective applicants prior to the submission of a full proposal to determine whether the project falls within program guidelines and priorities. Concept papers must include at least:
 • 2-3 page narrative (no maximum)
 • request amount (total and per year)
 • timeline of activities including project start date
 • budget

2. Full Proposals due by Tuesday, May 31, 2011
After concept paper review, the applicant will be notified by April 1, 2011 if invited to submit a full proposal.
Full proposals must be received by May 31, 2011. Projects must begin no earlier than October 1, 2011 and no later than March 31, 2012.

• Personnel & Honoraria
• Travel (domestic and international transportation)
• Per Diem (accommodation, meals, etc.)
• Conference Costs (room rental, interpretation fee, etc.)
• Report and Publication Costs (printing, bookbinding, translation, etc.)
• In addition, CGP will support indirect costs totaling no more than ten percent (10%) of the direct costs requested of CGP

    5. Project timetable
    6. Curricula vitae for key participants
    7. Institutional information (annual report, etc.)
    8. Proof of tax status

For the guidelines with the detailed instructions on submitting a full proposal, please download this PDF.

Submit all materials to:

We are not currently accepting applications at this time.

Grantees

2011 Grantees

2010 Grantees