US-Japan Leadership Program 2026/27 (Japan/USA)

FellowshipsCall for applications: US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP). Deadline: 5 January 2026.

USJLP is the flagship program of the United States-Japan Foundation. It launched in 2000 with the purpose of developing a network of communication, friendship and understanding among the next generation of leaders in each country.  With the goal of bridging the gap between East and West, the Program fosters a continuing dialogue among future leaders in a broad variety of professions. It starts this process by bringing some young leaders together from each country for two intensive weeklong conferences over two years, with discussions revolving around historical and current issues in bilateral relations, as well as issues reaching beyond our two countries. Through serious conversation as well as recreation and shared cultural activities it seeks to nurture lifelong friendships. The Program is designed to keep the leaders in touch with each other throughout their careers through a dedicated website and member directory, frequent reunions and newsletters, and online social networks.

Candidates for USJLP must:

🔹Hold U.S. or Japanese citizenship.
🔹Start their first Conference between the ages of 28 and 42.
🔹Have demonstrated leadership in their respective field.
🔹Feel comfortable expressing themselves in English.
🔹Commit to attending two consecutive seven-day Conferences over two summers and hold interest in lifelong engagement with USJLP.

US-Japan Leadership Program 2025/26 (Japan/USA)

FellowshipsCall for applications: US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP), participants expected to be in Japan July 27 – August 3, 2025 AND in the US in late July 2026. Deadline: 6 January 2025.

USJLP is the flagship program of the United States-Japan Foundation. It launched in 2000 with the purpose of developing a network of communication, friendship and understanding among the next generation of leaders in each country.  With the goal of bridging the gap between East and West, the Program fosters a continuing dialogue among future leaders in a broad variety of professions. It starts this process by bringing some young leaders together from each country for two intensive weeklong conferences over two years, with discussions revolving around historical and current issues in bilateral relations, as well as issues reaching beyond our two countries. Through serious conversation as well as recreation and shared cultural activities it seeks to nurture lifelong friendships. The Program is designed to keep the leaders in touch with each other throughout their careers through a dedicated website and member directory, frequent reunions and newsletters, and online social networks.

All members hold US or Japanese citizenship, enter the Program between the ages of 28-44 and have demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. Membership requires a commitment to participate in two consecutive summer conferences as a Delegate (one in Japan, and one in the USA), and the intent to remain active in the Program as a Fellow (alumnus).

US-Japan Foundation: Communication & Public Opinion Grants 2025

Grants

Communication and Public Opinion grants, United States – Japan Foundation for 2025. Deadlines: Letter of inquiry: 28 June 2024.

The Foundation supports projects that seek to enhance communication and mutual understanding between the American and Japanese people. Technology has evolved, and the institutions and topics of conversation keep changing, but the high value of greater awareness and communication among average citizens, as well as leaders in a variety of fields from these two countries is a constant.

The Foundation will consider communication and public opinion projects that not only raise awareness about Japan in the US and/or US in Japan, but also deal with concrete issues that affect the bilateral relationship (or are faced by the two nations). As foreign policy increasingly is subject to public opinion (and is often influenced by non-governmental actors), there is a need in both countries for increased and more diversified coverage of international news and current events, as well as strong links between certain non-government organizations (NGOs) to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

In addition, since mutual understanding between American and Japanese society requires deeper cultural knowledge, the Foundation occasionally supports documentary films, performances, exhibitions, and lectures that focus on Japanese/American culture.

A look at recent grant activity will help potential applicants understand the diversity of projects supported under this program. As with all other Foundation Programs, priority is given to projects that can demonstrate originality, broad appeal, enduring impact, excellent management and a well constructed plan for execution and success.

US-Japan Leadership Program 2024/25 (Japan/USA)

FellowshipsCall for applications: US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP), participants expected to be in Seattle, WA July 27 – Saturday, August 3, 2023 AND in the Japan in July 2025. Deadline: 8 January 2023.

USJLP is the flagship program of the United States-Japan Foundation. It launched in 2000 with the purpose of developing a network of communication, friendship and understanding among the next generation of leaders in each country.  With the goal of bridging the gap between East and West, the Program fosters a continuing dialogue among future leaders in a broad variety of professions. It starts this process by bringing some young leaders together from each country for two intensive weeklong conferences over two years, with discussions revolving around historical and current issues in bilateral relations, as well as issues reaching beyond our two countries. Through serious conversation as well as recreation and shared cultural activities it seeks to nurture lifelong friendships. The Program is designed to keep the leaders in touch with each other throughout their careers through a dedicated website and member directory, frequent reunions and newsletters, and online social networks.

All members hold US or Japanese citizenship, enter the Program between the ages of 28-44 and have demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. Membership requires a commitment to participate in two consecutive summer conferences as a Delegate (one in Japan, and one in the USA), and the intent to remain active in the Program as a Fellow (alumnus).

US-Japan Foundation: Communication & Public Opinion Grants 2024

Grants

Communication and Public Opinion grants, United States – Japan Foundation for 2024. Deadlines: Letter of inquiry: 30 June 2023; Full proposal: 10 August 2023.

The Foundation supports projects that seek to enhance communication and mutual understanding between the American and Japanese people. Technology has evolved, and the institutions and topics of conversation keep changing, but the high value of greater awareness and communication among average citizens, as well as leaders in a variety of fields from these two countries is a constant.

The Foundation will consider communication and public opinion projects that not only raise awareness about Japan in the US and/or US in Japan, but also deal with concrete issues that affect the bilateral relationship (or are faced by the two nations). As foreign policy increasingly is subject to public opinion (and is often influenced by non-governmental actors), there is a need in both countries for increased and more diversified coverage of international news and current events, as well as strong links between certain non-government organizations (NGOs) to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

In addition, since mutual understanding between American and Japanese society requires deeper cultural knowledge, the Foundation occasionally supports documentary films, performances, exhibitions, and lectures that focus on Japanese/American culture.

A look at recent grant activity will help potential applicants understand the diversity of projects supported under this program. As with all other Foundation Programs, priority is given to projects that can demonstrate originality, broad appeal, enduring impact, excellent management and a well constructed plan for execution and success.

US-Japan Leadership Program 2023/24 (Japan/USA)

FellowshipsCall for applications: US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP), participants expected to be in Japan, 23-30 July 2023 AND in the USA in July 2024. Deadline: 5 December 2022.

USJLP is the flagship program of the United States-Japan Foundation. It launched in 2000 with the purpose of developing a network of communication, friendship and understanding among the next generation of leaders in each country.  With the goal of bridging the gap between East and West, the Program fosters a continuing dialogue among future leaders in a broad variety of professions. It starts this process by bringing some young leaders together from each country for two intensive weeklong conferences over two years, with discussions revolving around historical and current issues in bilateral relations, as well as issues reaching beyond our two countries. Through serious conversation as well as recreation and shared cultural activities it seeks to nurture lifelong friendships. The Program is designed to keep the leaders in touch with each other throughout their careers through a dedicated website and member directory, frequent reunions and newsletters, and online social networks.

All members hold US or Japanese citizenship, enter the Program between the ages of 28-44 and have demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. Membership requires a commitment to participate in two consecutive summer conferences as a Delegate (one in Japan, and one in the USA), and the intent to remain active in the Program as a Fellow (alumnus).

US-Japan Foundation: Communication & Public Opinion Grants 2022

Grants

Communication and Public Opinion grants, United States – Japan Foundation for 2022. Deadlines: Letter of interest by January 15, 2022; Full application by March 1, 2022.

The United States – Japan Foundation’s grant program supports projects that seek to enhance communication and mutual understanding between the American and Japanese people. Technology has evolved, and the institutions and topics of conversation keep changing, but the high value of greater awareness and communication among average citizens, as well as leaders in a variety of fields from our two countries is a constant.

The Foundation will consider communication and public opinion projects that not only raise awareness about Japan in the US and/or US in Japan, but also deal with concrete issues that affect the bilateral relationship (or are faced by the two nations). As foreign policy increasingly is subject to public opinion (and is often influenced by non-governmental actors), there is a need in both countries for increased and more diversified coverage of international news and current events, as well as strong links between certain non-government organizations (NGOs) to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

In addition, since mutual understanding between American and Japanese society requires deeper cultural knowledge, the Foundation occasionally supports documentary films, performances, exhibitions, and lectures that focus on Japanese/American culture. The Foundation also maintains grants in US-Japan Policy Studies.

US-Japan Leadership Program 2020/21 (US/Japan)

FellowshipsCall for applications: US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP), participants expected to be in Seattle, WA July 11-18, 2020 and Japan, July 25-Aug 1, 2021. Deadline: December 9, 2019.

USJLP is the flagship program of the United States-Japan Foundation. USJLP is now accepting applications to the Seattle 2020 and Japan 2021 conferences through Monday, December 9, 2019. The upcoming Seattle 2020 is set to take place from Saturday, July 11 – Saturday, July 18, 2020. Delegates who start the Program in 2020 will return for their second year at the 2021 conference, currently scheduled to be held in Japan from Sunday, July 25 – Sunday, August 1, 2021.

The US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP) launched in 2000 with the purpose of developing a network of communication, friendship and understanding among the next generation of leaders in each country.  With the goal of bridging the gap between East and West, the Program fosters a continuing dialogue among future leaders in a broad variety of professions. It starts this process by bringing some young leaders together from each country for two intensive weeklong conferences over two years, with discussions revolving around historical and current issues in bilateral relations, as well as issues reaching beyond our two countries. Through serious conversation as well as recreation and shared cultural activities it seeks to nurture lifelong friendships. The Program is designed to keep the leaders in touch with each other throughout their careers through a dedicated website and member directory, frequent reunions and newsletters, and online social networks.

All members hold US or Japanese citizenship, enter the Program between the ages of 28-42 and have demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. Membership requires a commitment to participate in two consecutive summer conferences as a Delegate (one in Japan, and one in Seattle), and the intent to remain active in the Program as a Fellow (alumnus).

USJLP seeks to create a network of talented and diverse young American and Japanese leaders brought together to foster dialogue, friendship and understanding between the two countries. All members hold US or Japanese citizenship, enter the Program between the ages of 28-42 and have demonstrated leadership in their respective fields. Membership requires a commitment to participate in two consecutive summer conferences as a Delegate (one in Japan, and one in Seattle), and the intent to remain active in the Program as a Fellow (alumnus).