JUSFC Grant Categories Explained

JUSFC Grant Categories and Project Focus Areas: Pursuant to its authorizing legislation (P.L. 94-118), JUSFC awards grants in four strategic categories designed to support the U.S.-Japan Alliance and make the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Proposed projects must focus on areas of the U.S.-Japan relationship and align with JUSFC’s four strategic grant categories:

• Arts and Culture
• Exchanges and Scholarship
• Education and Public Affairs
• Global Challenges

• • Arts and Culture – Strengthening U.S. Cultural Competency and Global Leadership Pursuant to 22 U.S.C. § 2901 JUSFC supports arts programs that:
    • Advance U.S. understanding of Japanese arts and culture, building U.S. cultural literacy essential for effective diplomatic, economic, and security engagement in the Indo-Pacific region
    • Foster people-to-people connections that form the foundation of enduring strategic partnerships critical to U.S. national security interests
    • Demonstrate clear benefit to U.S. cultural competency, enhancing the United States’ ability to engage effectively with Japan, thereby strengthening U.S. influence and leadership in the region

• • Exchanges and Scholarship – Developing Strategic Human Capital to Support U.S. Interests In support of 22 U.S.C. § 2902 objectives and the United States’ need for Japan expertise, JUSFC funds:
    • Academic and professional exchanges building future leaders – Cultivating the next generation of American leaders with deep understanding of Japan, essential for maintaining U.S. strategic advantages in trade, technology, and security cooperation
    • Programs developing U.S. expertise on Japan – Building critical knowledge infrastructure within U.S. institutions to support informed policymaking, business development, and strategic planning related to Japan (EO 14332 Section 4)
    • Programs developing Japanese expertise on the United States – Ensuring Japanese decision-makers understand American perspectives, values, and interests, facilitating cooperation on shared priorities (EO 14332 Section 4)
    • Initiatives fostering people-to-people connections – Creating lasting networks between U.S. and Japanese professionals that strengthen bilateral cooperation across government, business, and civil society sectors

• • Education and Public Affairs – Advancing American Educational Excellence and Communication Consistent with its priorities under 22 U.S.C. § 2903 to support educational and public diplomacy JUSFC supports:
    • Japan Studies programs at U.S. institutions – Strengthening the U.S. system’s capacity to produce graduates with Japan expertise essential for U.S. competitiveness in Asia-Pacific markets and security cooperation. (EO 14332 Section 4)
    • Japanese language training initiatives – Building critical language skills among Americans to enhance U.S. diplomatic capabilities, business opportunities, and cooperation with Japan.
    • American Studies programs in the United States and Japan – Promoting accurate understanding of American values, principles, and systems that underpin U.S. global leadership and alliance partnerships. (EO 14332 Section 4)
    • Education about U.S.-Japan relations – Informing U.S. citizens about the strategic importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance for national security, economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (EO 14332 Section 4)
    • Partnership development among U.S.-Japan organizations – Facilitating and sustaining relationships among the institutions and networks, including Japan-America Societies and academic consortia, that form the connective tissue of the bilateral relationship.
    • Support for the broader U.S.-Japan community – Investing in the organizations that maintain people-to-people infrastructure, ensuring the Alliance is supported by a well-resourced civil society ecosystem.
    • Cross-sector convenings – Bringing together stakeholders from government, business, academia, and civil society to build the working relationships essential for effective diplomatic and economic engagement with Japan.

• • Global Challenges – Strengthening U.S. Leadership Through Strategic Alliance Cooperation In alignment with 22 U.S.C. § 2904 provisions, JUSFC funds:
    • Collaborative projects addressing shared challenges- Leveraging Japanese capabilities and resources to enhance U.S. leadership in addressing global issues including disaster preparedness, cybersecurity, global health, and emerging technology governance.
    • Transnational initiatives engaging third-country partners – Supporting projects in which the United States and Japan work jointly beyond their borders, demonstrating Alliance cohesion and extending U.S. influence in regions of strategic importance.
    • Programs demonstrating clear value to U.S. national interests- Supporting initiatives that advance U.S. strategic objectives through partnership with Japan, including economic security, technological innovation, and supply chain resilience. (EO 14332, Section 4)
    • Initiatives strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance – Deepening operational coordination and strategic alignment between the United States and Japan to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. (EO 14332, Section 4)