The MAP application for 2026-2027 cycle is open on Thursday, October 30, 2025 through Friday, January 16, 2026 (New Deadline) in the U.S. Eastern Time. Please see the details for application below.
Info Sessions
USJC hosted two virtual information sessions in English. Click below to access the recordings.
Overview
The Mineta Ambassadors Program (MAP) supports student exchanges between the United States and Japan to foster global mindsets, cultivate long-term bilateral ties, and bolster the strength and resilience of the special relationship. Administered by the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), this educational endowment provides grants to institutions that need support to develop or expand student exchange programs in order to create opportunities for high school and college students who might not otherwise have them (view flyer here).
The Mineta Ambassadors Program’s name honors the legacy of former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, who, in addition to his celebrated career of public service, was a longtime member and leader within the U.S.-Japan Council.
MAP alumni are welcomed into USJC’s TOMODACHI Generation network, which includes networking opportunities with other TOMODACHI alumni, opportunities to connect with USJC members, virtual and regional events throughout the year, and more. Inquiries may be sent to: [email protected].
Eligibility Criteria
Please note: MAP grants are provided to institutions that facilitate student exchanges for college and high school students, and are not provided directly to individuals seeking scholarships.
The grantee organization (applicant) should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be a tax-exempt organization in the United States or the equivalent in Japan
- National government agencies and departments are generally not eligible for MAP funds, but local governments, certain government-affiliated institutions (e.g., public schools, economic development corporations, etc.) and high schools (including private high schools and those affiliated with national universities), higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt and able to receive grants in their respective country may be eligible for MAP funds.
- Must be the sole/primary recipient of the funds and facilitator of the exchange
- Ability to meet some of the aspirational student metrics of the program (See below)
- Demonstrated success and/or staff members experienced in facilitating student exchanges (college and/or high school level)
Students participating in the exchange program(s) by the grantee organization should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Citizens or permanent residents of their respective country (United States or Japan)
- Able to obtain the proper travel/entry visa
- In good academic standing at their respective high school or accredited college/university in the United States or Japan
- For high school students (studying abroad or short-term visitation program):
- Able to receive parental/guardian consent
- For college students (short-term visitation program):
- Must be undergraduate and graduate students
- For college students (studying abroad for a semester or full year):
- Must be undergraduate and graduate students (eligible types of international study programs include: direct enrollment, affiliate/third-party, exchange, degree-seeking)
- Will be enrolled in an exchange program or credit-bearing course of study at a university or approved academic center in the United States or Japan
Aspirational Student Metrics
When considering proposals, the selection committee will give preference to programs that support cohorts including:
- Students with no prior U.S.-Japan exchange experience abroad.
- Students from economically disadvantaged communities.
- (Japanese students) Students from outside of the Tokyo Metropolitan area.
Preference
When considering proposals, the selection committee will give preference to:
- Applicant organizations that have not previously been selected as MAP grantees.
- Applicant organizations that would otherwise have limited opportunities to facilitate student exchange programs without MAP grants.
How to Apply
The application for 2026-2027 cycle is open on Thursday, October 30, 2025 through Friday, January 16, 2026 (ET).
Applicant organizations can fill out the online application form here.
The form will not allow you to submit outside the application period. The form cannot be saved and edited for later and so please ensure to submit it when all the information is ready.
Due to the high volume of applications, USJC cannot offer consultation for individual applicants. If you have questions, please email [email protected].
Timeline
*All times are shown is Eastern Time
| October 30, 2025 | Application Opens |
| November 6, 2025 | Virtual Information Session #1 |
| December 4, 2025 | Virtual Information Session #2 |
| January 16, 2026 | Application Closes |
| March 2026 | Result Notification to Applicants |
| April/May 2026 | Announcement of Grantees |
| August 2026 | Grant Funds Disbursement Starts |
Grantees
Please see the archives below for past grantees.
Sponsors
The Mineta Ambassadors Program is made possible thanks to the generosity of donors who share our vision of strengthening U.S.-Japan relations and empowering the next generation of global leaders.
- Aflac
- Apple*
- The BlackRock Foundation*
- CrowdWorks, Inc.
- Dr. Hiroyuki and Mrs. Mikiko Fujita
- Goldman Sachs
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Kawasaki Good Times Foundation
- Kikkoman Corporation
- Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
- Satoru and Hiroko Murase
- Oisix ra daichi Inc.
- PKSHA Technology Inc.
- Sony Group Corporation
- Suntory Holdings Limited
- Thierry Porté
- TOBE MAKI Foundation and Otsuka America, Inc.
- United States-Japan Foundation
- The Toshizo Watanabe Foundation*
*Top Sponsors
Thank you to everyone else who pledged in support of this program!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Mineta Ambassadors Program (MAP) grants will be provided in the upcoming academic year?
The number of MAP grants provided each year will vary depending on the funds available and the requested amounts. In the past, we awarded two to three grants per year.
What is the maximum amount of MAP funds that may be awarded to a single institution in an academic year?
The maximum amount of MAP funds that may be awarded per institution in an academic year is $100,000. However, we ask each applicant to list both the maximum and minimum requested amounts for its proposed program with different program duration and sizes of participating students.
Does applying for less MAP funds increase the chance of being selected?
No, applying for less MAP funds does not increase the chance of being selected.
Can MAP funds be added to or supplemented with funds from other sources?
Yes, exchange programs supported by MAP funds can additionally be funded by other sources. While MAP does not need to be the sole funder, we do ask the program title to include “Mineta Ambassadors Program” or “MAP.”
Are applying institutions allowed to include costs for overhead in their budget proposal?
Yes, applying institutions may include a management fee of their determination to cover anticipated overhead expenses, but please be mindful of the overall budget efficiency.
Is it possible at a later date to adjust the amount of MAP funds awarded?
The amount of MAP funds awarded may be decreased but not increased. Any unspent funds will be forfeited and must be returned to the U.S.-Japan Council.
Will grant funds be provided to new exchange programs or existing exchange programs?
The preference will be given to new programs over existing programs. For existing programs, the applying institution must be able to demonstrate a net increase in student exchanges or explain why and how MAP funding is needed in the application form instead of purely substituting previous funds with the MAP grants.
When must the exchange program take place?
Since the United States and Japan have a different academic year, we have a different timeline as follows.
United States.: Program(s) and physical exchange(s) should take place between August 2026 and August 2027.
Japan: Program(s) should start between August 2026 and August 2027, and the physical exchange(s) should end before August 2028.
Will multi-year proposals be considered?
Agreements with grantees are only made on a one-year annual basis.
Which types of exchange programs are eligible to be funded?
Programs that physically bring students from one country (United States or Japan) to the other or both countries. In other words, the programs can be one-way or reciprocal. Eligible programs are 1) academic study abroad (semester or full year) or short-term visitation programs and 2) at the high school or college (undergraduate and graduate) level. English and Japanese language programs are eligible. Fully virtual programs with no physical exchange component are not eligible.
Can more than one proposal be submitted for the same academic year?
Yes, applicants can submit multiple proposals per academic year, but please email us an order of preference.
Are there any costs or fees associated with applying for MAP funds?
No, there are no costs or fees associated with applying for MAP funds.
Can students involved in existing exchanges be funded?
The purpose of MAP is to increase the number of students participating in exchanges between the United States and Japan. Grantees who are facilitating exchange programs must be able to demonstrate that the grant funds will result in an identifiable net increase in students participating in exchanges.
Is it possible at a later date to adjust the number of students participating in MAP-funded exchanges?
The number of students participating in MAP-funded exchanges may be increased if actual spending allows, but institutions receiving MAP funds are contractually obligated to facilitate at least the number of agreed upon student exchanges.
If awarded MAP funds, how will the funds be disbursed?
The grantee will first receive 90% of the MAP funds via bank transfer after signing the grant agreement. The remaining 10% of the funds will be disbursed via bank transfer if the grantee still needs it after the completion of the physical exchange. Any unused grant needs to be returned to the U.S.-Japan Council.
If awarded MAP funds, can their use be deferred to a later academic year?
No, usage of MAP funds cannot be deferred. They must be used for the upcoming academic year or forfeited and returned to the U.S.-Japan Council.
Are there any reporting or branding requirements associated with receiving MAP funds?
Yes, each grantee is required to report participant information to USJC before the physical exchange takes place. Grantees are also required to submit a final report, which includes a narrative describing the program’s accomplishments, a description of program activities, participant information, a list of media coverage, and a financial report. Detailed requirements including those related to branding guidelines will be included in the agreement to be signed. Branding requirements are typically related to recognizing the U.S.-Japan Council and the Mineta Ambassadors Program in various materials, products, and reports.
Can MAP funds be used to support professional experiences?
No, MAP funds cannot be used to support professional work, research, or internship experiences. All exchanges funded by MAP must be academic and involve high school or college students.
May students apply directly to the U.S.-Japan Council for MAP funds?
No, MAP funds are only available to institutions that facilitate student exchanges.
I have a question that is not found in this FAQ section. Who should I contact to get an answer?
If you have a question or situation that is not covered by the information in the FAQ section, please contact the U.S.-Japan Council’s MAP grant administration team at [email protected]. No phone inquiries please.