The mission of the funder is to support projects that deepen understanding about Japan, promote cross-cultural exchange, and nurture global perspectives among K-12 students, teachers, and the community in the United States.
The JFNY Education Grant program is designed to provide financial support to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status for projects that aim to enhance knowledge about Japan among K-12 students, teachers, and the broader community. With a funding cap of up to $5,000, the grant focuses on a range of educational outreach and cultural event initiatives. These include lectures on Japanese culture and society, teacher workshops to better integrate Japanese culture into their teaching, as well as cultural performances, exhibitions, festivals, movie screenings, readings, and demonstrations that include an educational outreach component like interactive presentations or workshops.
This funding initiative gives preference to programs that target underrepresented schools and communities with minimal exposure to Japan, focusing on areas within the Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI), Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY), and South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV) regions. It seeks to support projects that benefit a substantial number of students, educators, or members of the community. Priority is also given to efforts that engage entities and individuals who are new to K-12 Japanese education. Collaborations with local entities, including museums, academic institutions, Japanese-America Societies, Japanese enterprises, and the local Japanese population—comprising families, students, and professionals—are highly encouraged. Innovative projects with the potential for adaptation and implementation in other locations are preferred. Projects that are recurring or annual may be deemed less favorable, and initiatives limited to a single school or one-day events may also be considered a lower priority.