Statement of Interest (SOI) Annual Program Statement

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, under the U.S. Department of State, is accepting Statements of Interest (SOI) for its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Program Statement (APS) under opportunity number PAS-Tokyo-FY25-SOI-02. This opportunity is supported by Smith Mundt and Fulbright Hayes Public Diplomacy Funds and offers total available funding of $250,000, pending availability. The initiative aims to promote strategic goals shared between the United States and Japan, enhance bilateral relationships, and advance American interests through creative public engagement projects. The initiative is a two-step application process, starting with a concise two-page SOI followed by an invitation-only full proposal submission for those shortlisted. The program is open to a diverse range of applicants including U.S. and Japanese non-profit organizations, educational institutions, individuals (with a grant cap of $30,000 for individuals), and Public International Organizations. While cost sharing is encouraged, it is not required. Organizations must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be registered on SAM.gov; however, individuals are exempt from this requirement. Exemptions from the registration process may be granted on a case-by-case basis if justified two weeks prior to the deadline. Proposals must comply with anti-discrimination federal laws and should not support prohibited activities like those involving the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) or mass-migration caravans. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that enhance ties between the two nations through programs tied to U.S. culture, society, or expertise. Priority will be given to proposals from first-time applicants or those involving partners and activities outside Tokyo. Fundable thematic areas include security and defense, science and technology collaboration, entrepreneurship and innovation, and the promotion of American values through cultural diplomacy. Proposals must demonstrate a link to strategic priorities such as promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening academic or cybersecurity partnerships, supporting entrepreneurial practices, and showcasing American cultural or scientific excellence. The SOI must include a project summary, requested funding amount, an introduction of the applicant, a problem statement, and a description of project activities. All submissions must be in English and emailed to TokyoPASGrants@state.gov by the rolling deadline of September 30, 2025, 23:59 JST. Applications will be reviewed every two to three months. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal, which will undergo a second merit review. Evaluation of SOIs will be based on their alignment with strategic priorities (30%), the clarity and effectiveness of project activities (30%), the feasibility and implementation timeline (20%), and the organizational capacity and qualifications (20%). Final selections will consider risk assessments including financial stability and prior performance on similar programs. Successful full proposal applicants may receive funding in the form of a grant, fixed amount award, or cooperative agreement, depending on the level of Embassy involvement. Flexible start dates are preferred, and awards will be obligated by September 30, 2025, contingent on funding availability. For assistance or further information, applicants are encouraged to email TokyoPASGrants@state.gov. Official application forms and further submission instructions can be found on the Embassy's website. Given the potential complexity of the process, early registration with SAM.gov and prompt submission of inquiries or exemption requests are strongly recommended to ensure eligibility and timely consideration.

Applicants should submit one SOI at a time and ensure all submissions are in English. Priority is given to first-time applicants or those working outside Tokyo.