U.S. Embassy Tokyo’s Grant for Re-energizing IVLP Alumni in Japan

U.S. Embassy Tokyo’s Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for proposals for projects and programs designed to re-energize International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and IVLP On-Demand Program alumni, re-building the capacity of IVLP alumni to pursue and protect U.S. interests in Japan. This program may also be used as part of the 70th anniversary celebration of IVLP in Japan. The Embassy welcomes innovative and creative program models that move beyond to conference/workshop model.

Priority Region: Japan

Program Objectives:  

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the Department of State’s premier professional exchange initiative for emerging leaders, fosters mutual understanding and develop cultural and professional connections. The program has over 225,000 alumni worldwide. In Japan, the program started in 1953. Currently there are more than 3,800 IVLP alumni, and notable alumni include Nobel Laureate Kenzaburo Oe; former prime ministers Naoto Kan, Yukio Hatoyama, Toshiki Kaifu, and Morihiro Hosokawa; novelist Haruki Murakami; Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike; and Showa Women’s University Chancellor Mariko Bando. In 2023, IVLP will celebrate its 70th anniversary in Japan.

In Japan, IVLP alumni account for 40% of the USG exchange program alumni population. However, it has also been a challenge to engage IVLP alumni, as they often do not identify as USG alumni. This is a major challenge for IVLP alumni engagement at U.S. Embassy Tokyo.

The Embassy welcomes proposals that, by addressing a specific social issue, bring IVLP alumni together for a capacity building opportunity. The proposal should also include opportunities that allow for:

1) Enhancing participants’ English language skills to enable them to share their IVLP experiences in the U.S., 

2) Encouraging alumni to highlight their IVLP experience to professionally and

3) Networking with like-minded peers, specifically other IVLP alumni, other USG alumni, and other interested groups.

The proposal should also detail the specific social issue(s) being addressed, explain the approaches that are being implemented to solve these issues, and highlight its impact, effectiveness, and future sustainability. The proposal must also contain an element that focuses on the collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Japan.

All programs must include an American element, such as a 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, or discussions by Japanese speakers regarding their experience in the United States. Project activities should take place in Japan and should multiply the effects of participants’ exchange experience by positively impacting communities in Japan.

All programs must engage Japanese audiences.

Programs may take place in person or virtually (note: due to current COVID travel restrictions, all applications should include a plan for virtual engagement). If you apply from outside of Japan, we highly recommend potential applicants to collaborate and coordinate with project partners in Japan to implement requested programs successfully. 

The applicant should budget for interpretation and translation.  

Participants and Audiences:

All programs must engage Japanese audiences, with a focus on alumni of the International Visitor Leadership program.