U.S. Mission to Japan U.S. Embassy Tokyo PAS Annual Program Statement

Overview

The U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. 

Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Tokyo invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Japan through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must include an American cultural element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Examples of PAS Small Grants Program programs include, but are not limited to:
• U.S. experts conducting speaking tours/public talks, roundtable discussions, and workshops in Japan;
• Academic and professional lectures and seminars;
• Professional and academic exchanges and programs;
• Artistic and cultural workshops, joint performances and exhibitions; and/or
• Development of initiatives aimed at maintaining contacts with alumni of our exchange programs; and
• Initiatives that develop stronger ties between the United States, Japan, and third countries.

Priority Program Areas:
• Programs that strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance and security cooperation, including bilateral and regional security issues, deterring illegal maritime activities, and strengthening the use of international law to resolve disputes in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Programs that foster greater bilateral trade and investment between the U.S. and Japan, including securing supply chains, enhancing women’s participation in the Japanese economy, fighting climate change, and promoting sustainable infrastructure investment in the Indo-Pacific region.

• Programs that use U.S.-Japan cooperation to increase transparency and good governance, strengthen democratic processes, counter state-sponsored disinformation, and promote the respect for the rule of law and human rights in the Indo-Pacific region.

Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization. If more than one
proposal is submitted from an organization, all proposals from that institution will be
considered ineligible for funding.

The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals throughout the year and will review proposals quarterly, with responses going out by the end of the following quarter, i.e., proposals received between January 1 and March 31 will be reviewed during the following three-month period, with responses going out by June 30. If a proposal is selected for funding after the review process, it usually takes two to three months for the agreement to be finalized. Proposals submitted without sufficient lead time will not be considered for
funding.