Deadline Extended for U.S.-Japan Global Impact Grant in Partnership with Sister Cities International

The application deadline for the U.S.-Japan Global Impact Grant, launched in partnership between the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) and Sister Cities International (SCI), has been extended to January 31, 2026. The original deadline had been December 31, 2025.

Announced in October, the U.S.-Japan Global Impact Grant supports sister city partnerships in the United States and Japan as they design and implement innovative, community-led responses to shared global challenges. The program is intended to help sister cities move beyond symbolic exchange and function as platforms for collaborative problem-solving on issues such as climate resilience, economic revitalization, aging societies, and youth engagement.

Through the program, grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to U.S.-Japan sister city partnerships proposing measurable and replicable projects with the potential for broader impact. All SCI member communities are eligible to apply in partnership with their Japanese counterparts, provided applicants hold nonprofit status directly or through a fiscal sponsor.

The deadline extension allows additional time for interested city partnerships to develop proposals and explore cross-border collaboration. Grant recipients are expected to be announced on February 28, 2026.

Applications are available at https://sistercities.org/u-s-japan-global-impact-grant/ and will now close on January 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. A recording of the Information Session held on December 2, 2025, is available here. More information about USJF’s grant programs can be found at https://us-jf.org/en/grants.