Engaging the USG Alumni community to solve the "Gender Gap" | OSAKA PAS FY23 01 01

Opportunity Information: Apply for OSAKA PAS FY23 01 01

The grant opportunity titled "Engaging the USG Alumni community to solve the 'Gender Gap'" is a U.S. Department of State funding competition administered by the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe. It seeks proposals that build the capacity of U.S. government exchange program alumni in Japan by supporting alumni-driven projects and programs. The central idea is to strengthen alumni leadership skills and deepen the professional networks that help advance shared U.S. interests and values overseas, while also producing practical, locally grounded efforts to address gender inequality.

The geographic focus is Japan's Kansai, Hokuriku, Shikoku, and Chugoku regions. The opportunity is framed around the persistent underemployment of qualified women and their underrepresentation in leadership roles in Japan, which the notice attributes to workplace bias and entrenched social norms. By equipping U.S. government program alumni with tools, resources, and structured opportunities to collaborate, the Consulate aims to help alumni translate their exchange experiences into real-world initiatives that elevate gender equality and, at the same time, reinforce the U.S.-Japan alliance through a more engaged, better connected alumni community.

Competitive proposals are expected to be planned and carried out in collaboration with USG alumni in the target regions, with a clear emphasis on network-building and sustained alumni engagement rather than one-off events. The Consulate encourages programs that promote exchange among alumni and use innovative or creative approaches to tackling "Gender Equality." Strong proposals would typically include learning and leadership development components, such as workshops, speaker series, mentoring, or project-based collaboration, where alumni can learn directly from experts and then apply that learning through practical alumni-led activities.

A key feature of the desired programming is a comparative and cooperative U.S.-Japan dimension. Applicants are asked to incorporate elements that highlight collaboration between the United States and Japan, and to include opportunities for alumni to engage both Japanese and American experts working across different sectors. The notice specifically points to fields such as politics, economics, and education, suggesting the program should treat gender equality as a cross-cutting issue that affects leadership pipelines, workplace structures, public policy, and community norms.

In terms of funding and mechanics, this is a discretionary award with an anticipated single award of up to $25,000. The funding instrument may be a grant or a cooperative agreement, indicating that the Department of State may expect varying levels of involvement in program oversight depending on the selected mechanism. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.040 and covers activity areas including community development, education, employment and training, humanities/cultural affairs, and related public-interest domains. Eligibility is broad, including individuals and other applicant types as specified in the additional eligibility guidance. The opportunity was created on December 22, 2022, and the original closing date was February 19, 2023.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan in the community development, education, employment, labor and training, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda), infrastructure investment and jobs act (iija), law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Engaging the USG Alumni community to solve the "Gender Gap"" 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 22, 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 $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Individuals, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for OSAKA PAS FY23 01 01

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