Okinawa Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response Fora

The Okinawa Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response Fora funding opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State through the Consulate General Naha under the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs. This program is funded through FY Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy funds and reflects the U.S. government’s strategic interest in strengthening regional resilience and cooperation in disaster preparedness. The initiative is specifically focused on Okinawa and the Southwest Islands, recognizing the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, as well as its geopolitical importance in the Indo-Pacific. The primary purpose of this grant is to support the implementation of two structured disaster preparedness forums, one on Okinawa main island and one on Miyako Island. These forums are intended to enhance coordination and crisis response capabilities among a wide range of stakeholders, including government authorities, emergency responders, civil society organizations, and U.S. and Japanese military personnel. The program emphasizes expert-led discussions, practical exercises, and collaborative planning to improve preparedness and response systems. A key outcome of each forum is the development of actionable plans by participants to address identified gaps in disaster planning within their organizations and communities. Funding for this opportunity ranges from 75000 to 100000 dollars, with a total program funding pool of 100000 dollars and only one anticipated award. The performance period is limited to 15 months, during which the recipient must design, coordinate, and execute both forums, as well as conduct monitoring and evaluation activities. Allowable costs include logistics such as venue rental, travel, accommodations, interpretation services, materials, and program management. However, certain costs, such as expenses related to U.S. government personnel, are not allowable. While cost sharing is not required, applicants may voluntarily propose it to demonstrate organizational commitment. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and includes nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental entities. Both U.S. and foreign-based organizations may apply. Applicants must meet specific administrative requirements, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and maintaining active registration in SAM.gov, unless applying as an individual. Each organization is limited to submitting one proposal, and failure to comply results in disqualification. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed proposal of up to 15 pages. Applicants must include a summary page, organizational background, problem statement, project goals and activities, implementation plan, timeline, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and budget justification narrative. Additional attachments include resumes of key personnel and letters of support. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov or MyGrants by August 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM GMT+9. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria including program quality and feasibility, organizational capacity, planning and ability to achieve objectives, budget reasonableness, monitoring and evaluation design, and sustainability. Each application is scored on a 100 point scale. Successful applicants may receive conditional awards requiring revisions before final approval. The anticipated project start date is October 1, 2026, with notifications expected by October 15, 2026. The program follows a structured timeline beginning with award finalization in September 2026, planning in late 2026, and forum implementation in 2027. Reporting requirements include quarterly progress reports and a final report within 120 days after project completion. The Consulate General Naha maintains substantial involvement throughout the project, including approval of participants, agenda, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with program goals and U.S.-Japan cooperation priorities.

Focus on strong monitoring and evaluation framework; ensure detailed and feasible implementation plan; align clearly with U.S.-Japan cooperation goals; provide realistic budget justification