English Language Teacher Training | TOKYO PAS FY23 01 05

Opportunity Information: Apply for TOKYO PAS FY23 01 05

The English Language Teacher Training grant opportunity is a U.S. Department of State program run through the U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section. It invites proposals for projects that train Japanese elementary school teachers to teach English more effectively, with a strong emphasis on communicative language teaching rather than rote, test-focused instruction. The geographic focus is Japan, and the main audience is the elementary school teacher workforce, particularly those who are now expected to deliver English instruction but were not originally trained as English specialists.

The opportunity is rooted in a policy change by Japans Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), which began in April 2020 and made English a regular subject for fifth and sixth grade students. Because many elementary teachers in Japan are generalists without formal preparation in language instruction, the Embassy frames the problem as both urgent and structural: teachers need practical skills, classroom-ready methods, and confidence to teach English in a way that prioritizes real communication. The Embassy also links this work to a broader mission goal of strengthening English education in Japan to support a generation that can participate in a global society, while also encouraging more student exchange between the United States and Japan over time.

Projects are expected to provide teacher training aligned with TESOL-style approaches (Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages). While the announcement does not prescribe a single training model, it signals a preference for innovative project designs that collaborate with teacher training institutions in Japan. In other words, applicants are encouraged to go beyond one-off workshops and consider partnerships, scalable training formats, or capacity-building structures that can have a lasting impact on how future teachers are prepared and supported.

The award is offered as either a grant or a cooperative agreement under a discretionary funding category, with activities spanning education and related fields. The program anticipates making one award, with a maximum funding amount (award ceiling) of USD 25,000. Eligible applicants are broad and include various levels of government, school districts, public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits (including those with and without 501(c)(3) status), and even individuals, which suggests the Embassy is open to proposals from many types of implementers as long as they can credibly deliver high-quality teacher training.

Key administrative details include the opportunity number TOKYO PAS FY23 01 05, a creation date of December 22, 2022, and an original application deadline of February 19, 2023. The issuing agency is listed as the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan. Overall, the grant is designed to strengthen the practical, communicative English teaching capacity of Japanese elementary educators in response to national curriculum changes, using TESOL-informed training and collaboration with Japanese teacher education stakeholders as a pathway to sustainable improvement.

• The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Japan in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda), community development, education, employment, labor and training, humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "English Language Teacher Training" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 22, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 19, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Individuals.

Apply for TOKYO PAS FY23 01 05

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: