Fiscal Year 2010-2011

Special Salary Assistance Program for Japanese-Language Courses 

This limited-time grant is specially designed to support Japanese-language programs in the U.S. that are facing severe financial difficulties in maintaining/surviving (in other words, programs that are in danger of being cut, or significantly cut back) due to the institution’s budget cuts resulting from the current economic decline in the United States.

This special grant also targets Japanese-language programs that will be newly created during the 2010-2011 school year, and need financial assistance due to the economic crisis.

The Japan Foundation provides financial support to educational institutions or school districts to supplement the instructor’s salary (maximum of 2/3 of the total amount of the salary and fringe benefits) for up to 2 years.  In addition, the grantee may also request funding for up to $1,000 to purchase teaching materials as needed.

The grant is given on the premise that the applying institution will continue to offer a Japanese-language program and keep the instructor’s position even after the completion of the grant support from the Japan Foundation.  

It is recommended that the applying educational institution submit a commitment letter (supporting letter) from the person who is authorized to make a decision on whether to continue the Japanese-language program at the institute/school district (Examples: Dean, Dept. Chair, District Superintendent, Head of the Board of Education, Principal, etc.) at the time of application. 

    Application Deadlines

    1st Deadline:  April 15, 2010    /   2nd Deadline:  May 31, 2010

 Condition of Grant  

 A.  Salary Assistance Grant

1.         The grant support is given on the condition that the applying institution’s Japanese-language course(s) and the Japanese-language instructor’s position will become self sustaining even after the completion of the grant support from the Japan Foundation.

2.         The grant is provided on a cost-sharing basis between the applying institution and the Japan Foundation.

(The Japan Foundation expects the applying institution to submit a detailed plan on how to supplement the JF grant with other funds, if they are selected for the grant award.)

3.         The financial assistance from the Japan Foundation should start during the Japan Foundation’s fiscal year 2010-2011 (April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011).  (The grantee may start using the JF grant from March 2011 at the latest.)

4.         The grant awarded can be up to 2/3 (66.7%) of the total amount of the instructor’s annual salary including fringe benefits; however, the amount will be determined in accordance with the Japan Foundation’s own assessment scale. The awarded grant amount could be less than amount requested. (The proposed budget should be based on the salary scale of the applying institution.)

5.         The salary scale and the instructor’s CV should be attached to the application form.

6.         The grant support is only for the instructor’s salary and fringe benefits. Any other overhead costs (for example, costs related to housing, commuting, administrative labor, etc.) are NOT covered by this grant.

7.         The grant can be used for either a full-time or part-time instructor.

8.         Each applicant can request funding for one instructor.  However, in the event that a school district applies for this grant for several schools in the district, they may request funding for several instructors (one instructor per school). 

9.         The grant support can be awarded for up to two-years. *

It is expected that each applying institution has a detailed plan on how to maintain their Japanese-language program after the completion of the grant support.

*    The extension of the grant for the 2nd consecutive year is not automatic. The decision to renew the grant will be reviewed at the end of the 1^st year, when the grantee submits their Final Report (project and financial reports) and the budget proposal, for the 2^nd year.

B.  Optional Financial Assistance for the Purchase of Teaching Materials

1.       Besides the Salary Assistance, the grantee may request additional funding for purchasing teaching materials as needed. (Please select “Yes” for question#3 on page 2 of the application form, if you wish to receive additional support. )

2.       The Japan Foundation can reimburse up to $1,000 (per year) to cover teaching material expenses that are approved by the JF (including tax and delivery charge).

3.       The grantees (applicants who are successfully awarded salary assistance grants) will be asked later to submit an estimate (necessary cost including tax and delivery/handling charge) with a list of materials. Detailed procedures will be provided at a later time.

Please do NOT make any non-refundable purchase arrangements at the time of application (before you receive an official notice of grant approval from the JF).

4.       The grantee MUST submit the required documents; (1) “Application for Payment” form, (2) proof of documents (receipts, invoices, etc.) for the material purchase and for the delivery/handling charges, and (3) final report with a sample lesson plan which were developed using the newly acquired teaching materials in order to receive a reimbursement check.  The grantees who fail to submit the required documents will not be paid.

5.       The teaching materials purchased with the support form the JF should become the property of the institutions, and are NOT to be owned privately by instructors or students.

 Eligibility    

1.         Applicants are only accepted from non-profit educational institutions involved in Japanese-language education. However, organizations whose laws restrict them from receiving aid from foreign organizations affiliated with governments are not eligible.

2.         In principle, the Japan Foundation does not provide grants for:

(1)       Foreign governments, including their administrative organs such as ministries and their embassies and consulate-general in Japan; excluding academic, cultural, or research institutes such as universities and museums; and

(2)       International organizations to which the Japanese government makes a financial contribution.

3.         Receipt of grants or benefits from the Japan Foundation must not violate any laws and ordinances, etc. (please confirm this before applying).

4.         Applicants must have a bank account in the institution’s name capable of accepting grants from the Japan Foundation.  Bank account may also be opened before remittance.

5.         Applicants must have the necessary capabilities to implement their planned projects.

6.         Projects need to fulfill the following requirements to be eligible for application:

(1)       The plan and method of implementation must be appropriate and there must be ample expectations that programs will yield positive results;

(2)       They must not be used for religious or political purposes; and

(3)       They must not be commercial activities.

 Selection Method    

Applications will be selected based on the following criteria:

・Necessity of the grant support (Level of financial need),

・Ability to maintain the program and teaching position after the completion of the grant,

・Role/influence of the applying institutions in the region,

・Specific benefits to Japanese-language education in the region from the success of the proposed Japanese-language program,

・Teaching hours of the instructor and expected number of students in the course(s),

・Potential to raise funds from sources other than the Japan Foundation, including its own funds,

・Feasibility of the plan (program to be implemented, framework, schedule, etc.),

・All educational levels are encouraged to apply, however priority will be given to institutions in the K-12 levels.

  Application Procedures and Deadlines     

1.         Before applying, please be sure to inform the Japan Foundation, Los Angeles (JFLA) of your intention to apply for the grant. (Email: language@jflalc.org) If you do not contact the JFLA in advance, your application may be rejected.

2.         Application materials must ARRIVE at the JFLA no later than the following respective deadlines. The JFLA does not accept applications submitted by e-mail or fax. Early submission is encouraged.

Application Deadlines:    1st Deadline:    April 15, 2010

                                                         2nd Deadline:   May 31, 2010

Mailing Address:      The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles

                             c/o Japanese Language Education Grants

                                                                           333 S Grand AVE STE 2250

Los Angeles, CA 90071

 Application Materials

•  Instructions 

•  Application Form

 Post Application Procedures  

A.  Salary Assistance Grant

The First Year (Fiscal Year 2010-2011)

l  Notice of Grant Approval:  Early May, 2010 (1^st Deadline) / Late June, 2010 (2^nd Deadline)

The JFLA will send an official letter (“Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Notice of Grant Approval”) along with the related documents such as “Terms and Conditions”, “Acceptance/Non-Acceptance of Grant and Application for Payment” form and “Final Report” form (Project and Financial Reports), etc.

l  Grant Remittance (for the 1^st year):

Grantees (applicants who are awarded grants) should submit an “Acceptance/Non-Acceptance of Grant and Application for Payment” form within two months upon receiving the “Notice of Grant Approval”. The JFLA will send a payment check upon receipt of this form.

l  Submission of Required Documents:

“FY 2010-2011 Final Project Report and Financial Report” and “FY 2011-2012 Budget Proposal for the Coming Year” must be completed and submitted to the JFLA within two months upon completion of the project.

l  Confirmation of Grant Payment (the 1^st year) & Decision of Grant for the Coming Year (the 2^nd year)

The JFLA reviews the final report (project and financial report) to finalize the grant amount, and will decide the grant amount for the 2^nd year. (The extension of the grant for the 2nd consecutive year is not automatic.)

The Second Year (Fiscal Year 2011-2012)

l  Notice of Grant Approval:  TBD

The JFLA will send an official letter (“Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Confirmation of Payment & Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Notice of Grant Approval”) along with the related documents such as “Terms and Conditions”, “Acceptance/Non-Acceptance of Grant and Application for Payment” form and “Final Report” form (Project and Financial Reports), etc.

l  Grant Remittance (for the 2^nd year):

Grantees (applicants who are awarded grants) should submit an “Acceptance/Non-Acceptance of Grant and Application for Payment” form within two months upon receiving the “Notice of Grant Approval”. The JFLA will send a payment check upon receipt of this form.

l  Submission of Required Documents:

“FY 2011-2012 Final Project Report and Financial Report” must be completed and submitted to the JFLA within two months upon completion of the project.

l  Confirmation of Grant Payment (the 2^nd year) :

The JFLA reviews the final report (project and financial report) to finalize the grant amount, and then an official letter (“Confirmation of Payment”) will be issued to confirm the completion of grant.

B.  Additional Financial Assistance for the Purchase of Teaching Materials

The First Year (Fiscal Year 2010-2011) / The Second Year (Fiscal Year 2011-2012)

l Must Receive Approval for Special Salary Assistance Grant

l Submit an Estimate with a List of Materials:

The grantee need to submit an estimate (necessary cost including tax and delivery/handling charge) with a list of materials, to be eligible for the support.

l Necessary Arrangements for the Purchase of Teaching Materials

Grantees (applicants who have successfully received an official notice of grant approval) should start making necessary arrangements for the purchase of the teaching materials.  Please make sure to keep all the proof documents (receipts, invoices, etc.) for the materials purchase and for the delivery/handling charges.

l Submission of Required Documents (“Application for Payment” form, proof of purchase (receipts, invoices, etc.), and Final Report with a sample lesson plan)

l Grant Payment:

The JFLA reviews the final report (a sample lesson plan) and proof documents (receipts, invoices, etc.) to finalize the grant amount, and then an official letter (“Confirmation of Payment”) will be sent along with a reimbursement check.  Please note that grantees who fail to submit the required documents will not be paid.