Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS SAPPORO FY2020 0001
The U.S. Consulate General Sapporo Public Affairs Section (PAS), part of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Mission to Japan, issued an Annual Program Statement under its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program to support sports exchange projects that deepen cultural ties between the United States and Japan. The core purpose of this opportunity is public diplomacy: using sports as a platform to highlight shared values, encourage people-to-people connections, and strengthen bilateral cooperation in ways that lead to greater mutual understanding between the two countries. Funding is discretionary and depends on the availability of funds.
Projects are expected to be sports exchange programs, meaning activities that go beyond simple competitions and instead create structured opportunities for engagement, learning, and relationship-building. A central requirement is that every proposal include an American sports cultural element and a clear, substantive connection to U.S.-based expertise or institutions. That connection could be demonstrated through involvement of American experts, coaches, athletes, sports organizations, leagues, nonprofits, or educational institutions tied to a particular sport or sports-related field. The exchange should be designed so the American component is not superficial; it should meaningfully shape the program content and help convey U.S. perspectives, practices, or values through sport.
The award instrument is a grant, and the funding activity categories align with arts/cultural affairs, education, and other related public diplomacy programming. The opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: PAS SAPPORO FY2020 0001) listed an award ceiling of $10,000 per award and anticipated making about two awards. The application process begins with a Statement of Interest (SOI), indicating that applicants were first asked to submit an initial concept or expression of interest rather than a full proposal at the outset, following the specific instructions in the program statement. The original closing date for submissions was December 6, 2019, and the posting was created July 17, 2019.
Eligibility was broad and included government entities at the county and city/township level, independent school districts, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and individuals. Overall, the opportunity targeted applicants capable of organizing exchange-oriented sports programming that connects Japanese and American participants and partners, uses sport as a vehicle for cultural understanding, and advances U.S.-Japan relations through tangible collaboration and shared experiences.Apply for PAS SAPPORO FY2020 0001
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), education, other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Consulate General Sapporo PAS Sports Exchange Program Statement" 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 Jul 17, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 06, 2019. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments, City or township governments, Independent school districts, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is an Annual Program Statement from the U.S. Consulate General Sapporo Public Affairs Section (PAS), under the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Mission to Japan. It is part of the Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program and supports sports exchange projects intended to deepen cultural ties between the United States and Japan.
What is the main goal of the program?
The core purpose is public diplomacy: using sports as a platform to highlight shared values, encourage people-to-people connections, and strengthen U.S.-Japan cooperation in ways that lead to greater mutual understanding between the two countries.
What kinds of projects does the program expect to fund?
Projects are expected to be sports exchange programs. That means activities should go beyond a simple competition and instead create structured opportunities for engagement, learning, and relationship-building between U.S. and Japanese participants and partners.
Does the program fund sports competitions or tournaments?
The program emphasizes exchange-oriented programming rather than straightforward competitions. Proposals should be designed so that sport is a vehicle for engagement and cultural understanding, with meaningful interaction and learning components.
What is meant by a "sports exchange program" in this announcement?
In the context of this opportunity, a sports exchange program is one that includes structured engagement and relationship-building elements (for example, learning, dialogue, mentorship, coaching exchanges, or other intentional interaction) rather than only holding games or matches.
Is a U.S. cultural element required?
Yes. Every proposal is required to include an American sports cultural element and a clear, substantive connection to U.S.-based expertise or institutions.
What qualifies as a "clear, substantive connection" to U.S.-based expertise or institutions?
The announcement indicates this connection may be demonstrated through involvement of American experts, coaches, athletes, sports organizations, leagues, nonprofits, or educational institutions tied to a particular sport or a sports-related field.
How strong does the American component need to be?
The American component is expected to be meaningful, not superficial. It should shape the program content in a substantive way and help convey U.S. perspectives, practices, or values through sport.
Who is offering the grant?
The grant is issued by the U.S. Consulate General Sapporo Public Affairs Section (PAS), which is part of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Mission to Japan.
What type of award instrument is used?
The award instrument is a grant.
What funding activity categories does this opportunity align with?
The funding activity categories align with arts/cultural affairs, education, and other related public diplomacy programming.
How much funding is available per award?
The listed award ceiling is $10,000 per award.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated making about two awards.
Is funding guaranteed if an application meets the requirements?
No. Funding is discretionary and depends on the availability of funds.
What is the funding opportunity number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAS SAPPORO FY2020 0001.
What is the first step in the application process?
The application process begins with a Statement of Interest (SOI). Applicants were asked to submit an initial concept or expression of interest rather than a full proposal at the outset, following the instructions in the program statement.
Was a full proposal required at the initial stage?
No. The announcement specifies that the process begins with a Statement of Interest (SOI), which is an initial concept or expression of interest.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting was created on July 17, 2019.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date for submissions was December 6, 2019.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes county-level and city/township-level government entities, independent school districts, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education), and individuals.
Are nonprofits required to have 501(c)(3) status to apply?
No. The announcement states that nonprofits may apply with or without 501(c)(3) status, as long as they are not institutions of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible as nonprofits under this opportunity?
The announcement specifies that eligible nonprofits may apply as long as they are not institutions of higher education.
Are individuals allowed to apply?
Yes. Individuals are included among eligible applicant types.
What kinds of applicants does the opportunity appear to target?
The opportunity targets applicants capable of organizing exchange-oriented sports programming that connects Japanese and American participants and partners, uses sport to promote cultural understanding, and advances U.S.-Japan relations through tangible collaboration and shared experiences.
What should a strong proposal clearly demonstrate?
Based on the announcement, a strong proposal should clearly demonstrate (1) an exchange design that goes beyond competition, (2) an American sports cultural element, and (3) a substantive connection to U.S.-based expertise or institutions that meaningfully shapes the program content.
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