Grant Opportunities for Leading Business Communication in English Program in Northern Japan

The U.S. Consulate General Sapporo is accepting applications for (1) small grant to an individual or organization to lead a series of workshops introducing participants to contemporary American online work environments.

Contingent on the availability of funds, the U.S. Consulate General Sapporo will award a grant up to $3,000 to fund a series of a series of workshops. All workshops will be delivered via online communication platforms and should introduce American norms for engaging in business over the internet and the use of contemporary written and spoken English for online business purposes. Written English elements may include résumés, funding proposals, and emails. Oral English elements may include interview skills, meeting protocols, and networking in online environments. Other topics are welcome. Their inclusion will be subject to a final agreement with the Consulate.

To promote American business culture and a deeper understanding of the English language, we are seeking a native-level American English speaker who has familiarity with contemporary Japanese youth culture and experience teaching English for business communication. The grant recipient does not need to be a U.S. citizen. Sessions can be held ranging from five to ten times and might be bi-weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly on or after August 15, 2021 for a maximum two-year period. Sessions must be hosted online using a video conferencing platform. Sessions must be open to the public and cannot be commercial, trade or charitable activities. No for-profit organizations can receive funding through these awards. If awarded, the Grantee will be responsible for coordinating the schedule with the Public Affairs Section Sapporo. The application should include a proposed activity plan; an audience recruitment plan; and a line-item budget with anticipated programming costs such as honoraria, and materials fees for publicizing event. Proposals will be evaluated on their potential to effectively promote American English, U.S. culture, and U.S. society, with particular attention on incorporating new audiences for engagement. 

Sponsor:         U.S. Consulate General Sapporo

Participants and Audiences: U.S. Consulate General Sapporo will only consider grants that are geared to young Japanese audiences in Northern Japan.

The following types of projects are not eligible for funding:

•          Projects relating to partisan political activity;

•          Charitable or development activities;

•          Construction projects;

•          Projects that support specific religious activities;

•          Fund-raising campaigns;

•          Lobbying for specific legislation or projects;

•          Scientific research;

•          Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or

•          Projects seeking funds for personal use;

•          For-profit organizations

Application:   

1)        Session descriptions and proposed schedule

2)        Budget in US dollars

3)       Application forms https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

           Instructions for the forms can be found under “Form Instruction” at the same site.

•          SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance --individuals)

•          SF424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)

•          SF424B (Assurance for Non-Construction programs)

4)       1-page CV or resume of key personnel who are proposed for the project

5)        DUNS Number registration (organizations only) https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/

Any entity that requests United States Government financing must register for a DUNS number, which is a unique nine-digit identification number. DUNS Number assignment is free for organizations required to register with the federal government for grants. If one is applying as an Individual, no need to register for a DUNS number. If you are a Japanese entity, please ask U.S. Consulate General Sapporo for Japanese instructions.

•          SAM registration (organizations only)

Any entity that requests United States Government financing must register in the System for Award Management (SAM). Please see the instructions for registering here:

Quick Start Guide for New Registrations (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/korea/716358/namh/SAM%20registration.pdf ). If one is applying as an Individual, no need to be registered with SAM.

Deadline:        The Applications Form SF-424 Series with activity plan and budget must be sent to SACProgram@state.gov before May 26, 2021. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This call for grant proposal is subject to availability of funding.

Selection:       Grantee will be notified after the receipt and the review of the application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed until completed, and applicants with incomplete applications will not be notified.

Selection Criteria: Grants will be evaluated using the following criteria: ability of the grantee to recruit and retain an audience; quality and uniqueness of program design; and appropriateness of budget.

Grant period:  After August 15, 2021 for a minimum six-month and maximum two-year period

Reports:         Grantee must submit an interim report and a final report.

Miscellaneous: Grantee is responsible for managing all logistics associated with their activities by coordinating with PAS Sapporo. For additional information or questions, please contact: SACprogram@state.gov  [subject line: Business Communication in English Program Grant Opportunities]