US-Japan Foundation: Call for LOIs

Overview

The United States-Japan Foundation is an independent philanthropic organization working to strengthen bilateral ties and address shared challenges. We empower next-generation leaders and fund innovative initiatives, catalyzing collaboration and exchanges among stakeholders in search of solutions.

In an era characterized by uncertainty and division, we believe that a robust U.S.-Japan relationship is vital to global peace, prosperity, stability, and sustainability in the 21st century. We are committed not just to maintaining that friendship but empowering it for greater good: helping each other address problems and jointly extending that support to friends in the region and around the world. A core part of our strategy is to bolster civil society in each country, bringing together talent and resources to create a thriving community.

We've awarded more than $100 million in grants to advocates, artists, scholars and students, to bolster and project U.S.-Japan ties, making a meaningful difference in each country. [Read about recent awarded projects here.]

Before applying for a grant, please take the time to carefully review the following notes and limitations:

• Grants can only be made to holding non-profit status organizations. Foundation grants may not be used for lobbying or to support election to public offices.
• The Foundation accepts no responsibility for keeping any part of a request confidential and reserves the right to discuss a proposal with outside titled experts to assist the program staff in its evaluation.
• The Foundation limits overhead expenses to 10% of the total project budget.

2025 Grants Cycle Timetable:

• First quarter Letter of Inquiry (LOI) deadline: Friday, March 28
• Second quarter LOI deadline: Friday, June 27
• Third quarter LOI deadline: Friday, September 26
• Fourth quarter LOI deadline: Friday, December 26

We will review LOIs during the month following each quarterly deadline and will invite selected applicants to submit a full grant proposal. 

We are also willing to consider time-sensitive proposals on an expedited basis. If you believe that your proposal requires an urgent decision, please provide a desired decision deadline and a detailed rationale for requesting accelerated consideration.