2025-2026 Mineta Ambassadors Program

Please note that below is old information. For the up-to-date information, please visit here.

How to Apply (Academic Year 2025-26)

To apply for a MAP institutional grant, please email a proposal document (2-3 pages max) in English to [email protected] with the following information:

• Organization name & brief background
• Point of contact (name, title, contact info)
• Experience/expertise in student exchanges
• Exchange program proposal (one page)
• Dates & duration of program
• Number of exchange students supported
• Demographics expected (see above Aspirational Student Metrics)
• Funding amount requested with preliminary breakdown of costs.

Grant Timeline (Academic Year 2025-26)

Reporting Requirements from Grantees (Academic Year 2025-26)

Prior to the start of the program, grantee shall submit to the U.S.-Japan Council: contact and demographic information for all participants, including but not limited to full name, email address, phone number, emergency contact, country of residence, nationality, race/ethnicity, age, sex, home and host school names, level of education, degree and major(s) being pursued, and a summary of the aspirational metrics met (see above).

No later than 60 days after the completion of the program or by Sept. 30 of the same year (whichever comes first), grantee shall submit to the U.S.-Japan Council a written Final Program Report, which includes a narrative describing the program’s accomplishments, a description of program activities, participant information including testimonials and any special events or activities in which they participated, a list of media coverage that occurred, post-program surveys, and an end-of-program financial report.

Grantees (Academic Year 2025-26)

Hiroshima University – Mega Exchange Program for Nurturing Peace and Sustainability Leaders

• The program aims to cultivate future leaders for peace and sustainability through a 10- to 12-day short-term exchange program, facilitated between Hiroshima University and the University of Idaho. Each university will send 30 students to participate in lectures, site visits, group discussions, and presentations.

AFS-Japan and AFS-USA – Youth Talk: Connecting Japan and US Youth in Dialogue and Exchange

• The program aims to cultivate active global citizens through a 10- to 12-day short-term exchange program, with a focus on enhancing intercultural and interpersonal communication skills. AFS-Japan and AFS-USA will send 5 Japanese and 5 American high school students to participate in community and school-based activities, including a host family experience.