FY2023 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Democracy through the U.S. Presidential Election 2024 | TOKYO PAS FY23 01 09

Opportunity Information: Apply for TOKYO PAS FY23 01 09

The FY2023 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Democracy through the U.S. Presidential Election 2024 opportunity is a competitive U.S. Department of State program run through the U.S. Mission to Japan (U.S. Embassy Tokyo), specifically its Public Affairs Section. The aim is to support a project that helps Japanese youth better understand democracy by using the 2024 U.S. presidential election as a practical, timely learning framework. The project is expected to deepen awareness of why democratic participation and institutions matter, while also giving participants a clearer picture of how the U.S. election system works and how democratic debate is carried out.

At the core of this grant is direct engagement with Japanese audiences. Proposals are expected to deliver interactive programming rather than passive information, and the activities can be conducted in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. The content focus should include introducing the U.S. presidential election system (how elections are structured and conducted in the United States) and creating space for dialogue about democracy itself, including the values, responsibilities, and decision-making processes that shape democratic societies. A key feature is the emphasis on discussion and exchange, not just one-way presentations, so formats like workshops, speaker sessions with Q and A, moderated discussions, classroom-style modules, debates, or other participatory learning models would fit the intent of the opportunity.

The primary target participants are Japanese high school and university students, reflecting a youth-focused public diplomacy approach. The opportunity also explicitly includes student "influencers" such as teachers, recognizing that educators and other mentors shape how civic concepts are introduced and sustained over time. In practice, this means strong proposals would likely include an outreach and engagement strategy that reaches both students and the adults who guide them, potentially supporting longer-lasting impact through classroom adoption, educator toolkits, or follow-on programming that teachers can continue after the grant activities conclude.

The funding is offered as either a grant or a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. government may have a more active role in project implementation in a cooperative agreement structure, compared with a standard grant. The funding instrument types listed are "Cooperative Agreement" and "Grant," and the opportunity category is discretionary, indicating funds are awarded competitively based on merit and alignment with program goals. The activity categories attached to the opportunity include community development, education, and other related activities, which signals that proposals can blend civic education with community-facing engagement, as long as they support the democracy-and-elections learning objective.

Eligibility is broad across higher education and nonprofit sectors. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofits both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories). This mix suggests the Embassy is open to proposals from universities, academic centers, education-focused organizations, civic or community nonprofits, and similar entities capable of designing and running structured youth engagement programming with reliable administration and reporting capacity.

The award parameters are modest and focused: the award ceiling is $10,000, and the Embassy anticipates making one award. With a single expected award at this funding level, the project scope is likely intended to be targeted and well-defined, emphasizing high-quality programming design, effective facilitation, and measurable engagement outcomes rather than large-scale nationwide rollout. Strong proposals would typically need to show a clear plan for recruiting participants, delivering the sessions, and capturing results (for example, participant feedback, pre- and post-session learning measures, or evidence of sustained dialogue and follow-on interest).

Administratively, the opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number "TOKYO PAS FY23 01 09" under CFDA 19.040, associated with public diplomacy programming. It was created on December 21, 2022, with an original closing date of February 19, 2023. Even though those dates indicate the specific competition window has passed, the description provides a clear model for the type of Embassy public affairs programming being sought: a carefully managed, interactive civic education initiative that uses the U.S. presidential election as an entry point to broader conversations about democracy among Japanese students and educators.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan in the community development, education, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2023 U.S. Embassy Tokyo: Democracy through the U.S. Presidential Election 2024" 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 Dec 21, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 19, 2023. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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.

Apply for TOKYO PAS FY23 01 09

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