FY2020 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Social Innovation | TOKYO PAS FY20 02 08

Opportunity Information: Apply for TOKYO PAS FY20 02 08

The FY2020 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Social Innovation grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: TOKYO PAS FY20 02 08) is a discretionary funding program offered by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Mission to Japan, specifically the U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section. The core aim is to support an exchange program that highlights technology-driven approaches to solving major social challenges that the United States and Japan share. By showcasing practical technological advances and the people and institutions behind them, the program is designed to deepen bilateral cooperation in economic, scientific, and technological fields, encourage sustainable economic growth, and strengthen long-term people-to-people connections between the two countries.

At its heart, this opportunity is about social innovation: the use of science, technology, research, and applied solutions to address real-world issues with public benefit. While the notice does not list specific topic areas, the framing suggests interest in initiatives that can credibly demonstrate how innovative tools, systems, or research are being used to tackle pressing societal needs in both contexts. The exchange format implies cross-border learning and relationship-building, with participants gaining exposure to new models, partners, and best practices that can be adapted or scaled after the exchange ends.

The program can be funded through multiple instrument types, including a cooperative agreement, a grant, or other mechanisms, giving the agency flexibility in how it oversees and collaborates with awardees. The funding activity category is aligned with science and technology and other research and development, and the listed CFDA number is 19.040, which is commonly associated with Department of State public diplomacy and exchange-related assistance. Awards are expected to support the planning and execution of the exchange program rather than purely theoretical research, with an emphasis on tangible engagement, demonstration, and networking that advances U.S.-Japan collaboration.

In terms of funding scale and competitiveness, the award ceiling is $75,000 per award, and the Embassy anticipated making around three awards. This structure suggests a relatively selective competition aimed at funding a small number of well-defined, high-impact programs rather than many smaller activities. Applicants would typically need to present a clear program design, credible implementation capacity, and a strong rationale for how their exchange concept will deliver meaningful outcomes tied to the Embassy's goals of bilateral cooperation and relationship-building.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S.-based and potentially eligible entities, such as state, county, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity also allows Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and other tribal organizations to apply, and it is open to nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). Notably, individuals are also listed as eligible applicants, which expands access beyond organizations, though individuals would still need to demonstrate the ability to manage a federally funded program and meet any administrative and compliance requirements tied to the award instrument.

The timeline provided indicates the opportunity was created on February 1, 2020, with an original application deadline of March 31, 2020. Any organization considering similar future opportunities would want to pay close attention to the Embassy's public affairs funding cycles, since these competitions often recur annually or periodically and can have relatively short application windows.

Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as support for a focused U.S.-Japan exchange initiative centered on social innovation through technology, designed to connect practitioners, researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, and other relevant stakeholders. The Embassy's stated outcomes emphasize not only showcasing innovations but also building durable bilateral ties and collaboration pathways that can continue beyond the grant period, strengthening the broader ecosystem of U.S.-Japan scientific, technological, and economic cooperation.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2020 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Social Innovation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 01, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 31, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for TOKYO PAS FY20 02 08

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